At this writing, it’s the beginning of a new year . . . a time when executive job search is on many people’s minds.

But this roundup of posts are well worth reading whatever time of year you come across them

. . . as you think about diving into job search,

. . . as you begin an actual search, or

. . . if you need to accelerate a slow-moving search.

The first 9 posts below are mine, from here at the Executive Career Brand blog. Each one represents an important step in the executive job search process.

And the last entry is a roundup of 50+ articles from various careers industry professionals.

10 Best Posts to Get Your Executive Job Search in Gear

1. Think Like an Executive Resume Branding Pro – Targeting & Research

Want to get inside my head, an executive resume branding professional, as I strategize and create content for an executive job seeker’s resume?

Wouldn’t that help you write your own resume, or know with whom and how to work with a professional resume writer?

The first in a series of 5 posts on executive resume branding, this post covers the critical first steps in any successful executive job search: targeting and research.

2. Going To “Create” Your Personal Brand? Nope, You Already Have a Brand

It makes me cringe when I read or hear someone talk about “creating” their personal brand.

If you think this way, and you’ve created something that you’re calling your brand, it’s probably not your authentic personal brand.

You don’t create your brand, because you already have a brand.

It’s always been with you, and it’s always been ingrained in those who know you best . . . at work, in your personal life, anywhere.

“Defining” your brand better describes the critical process of identifying, differentiating and communicating what makes you unique and valuable in the executive job market . . . or in any other capacity.

3. How to Write An Irresistible C-suite Executive Resume in 10 Steps

When was the last time you used your executive resume?

When was the last time you even thought about it or looked at it?

If you’re like many of the executives I work with you’ve:

• Never needed an executive resume to get noticed and land a job, or
• It’s been many years since you’ve needed one, or
• You’re not happy with your resume.

You may be unaware of how much executive resumes have changed in just the past few years.

Your executive resume may be dangerously old-fashioned.

4. Essential Checklist to Optimize LinkedIn For Executive Job Search

I’ve found that many executives have a “build it and forget it” mindset with LinkedIn. They put up a minimal profile, and never revisit it. They never take advantage of all the things LinkedIn has to offer.

They don’t seem to realize that LinkedIn is a primary destination for people who are sourcing and assessing good-fit job candidates and people to do business with.

That means executive recruiters and other hiring professionals are all over LinkedIn, looking for candidates like you.

If your profile is less than stellar and doesn’t contain the most-searched relevant keywords and phrases for your particular circumstances, you may be overlooked for great new career and business opportunities.

5. Online Presence and Personal Brand Management: 5 Things to Remember

Your online presence, or lack of it, matters in executive job search.

It matters for most every job seeker, at any professional level — from entry level to c-suite executive.

Given two equal candidates, in terms of skill sets, education, work history, and all around good fit for the job, executive recruiters and hiring professionals are likely to choose the person with the more vibrant, robust online footprint.

6. How to Network Into the Goldmine of Hidden Executive Jobs

I’m sure you’ve often heard and read that networking – face-to-face, on LinkedIn and elsewhere online – plays a key role in landing a good-fit gig.

Most of my executive job-seeking clients understand the value of networking . . . that is, connecting with, and staying top-of-mind with, the various people who can help them meet their career goals.

They may know this, but most of them invest minimal time in networking.

They believe they should spend the majority of their job search time in the solitary practice of responding to the job listings they find on job boards and company websites.

Their anemic networking efforts consist mostly of speaking to people about the jobs they’ve seen posted somewhere.

What most of them don’t know . . . until we have an initial chat . . . is that something like 85-90% of executive jobs – especially at the c-suite and other senior levels – are never advertised.

The only way to get to these best-fit jobs is through proactive networking.

7. How to Find Executive Recruiters Specializing in Your Niche

In my executive job search strategy sessions with clients, one of the things they most often want to discuss is where and how to find executive recruiters.

I caution them not to rely entirely on recruiters to get them into a job. Too many executive job seekers think all they have to do is connect with several recruiters, sit back, and let them do the work.

But you will need to build relationships with several recruiters.

8. Prepare to Ace & Brand Your Executive Job Interview

Job interviews are looming . . .

Your understanding of your brand and promise of value is solid. Your career marketing and brand communications plan is building and working for you – you’ll be landing interviews soon.

For many executives, this is where the scary part starts.

You may be cool and calm on the job – leading companies and global operations – but the mere thought of presenting and marketing yourself in an interview puts you in a panic.

Research, strategic planning, preparation and rehearsal for interviewing are more important than ever, if you want to position yourself as the best hiring choice for jobs that are a mutual good fit for you and the right organization.

9. How To Sail Through Salary and Compensation Negotiations

Salary and compensation negotiations are imminent . . . you’re close to reeling in that great-fit executive job.

You’ve been through a few rounds of interviews at a company you really want to work for, and they’re about to make you an offer.

Or, maybe you’re fortunate enough to be juggling offers from more than one company you want to work for.

Next, and last, step is salary and compensation negotiations.

Even the most confident, competent executives quake at the thought of navigating the critical salary negotiations talks.

It’s complex, stressful and unnerving.

Read my post for tips to make it easier on yourself.

10. Job Mob’s Top Job Search Articles of the Year

At the end of every year, for more than 10 years now, Jacob Share at the Job Mob blog puts out the word to select job search and career professionals to send him their most popular job search post of that year.

The result: an amazing roundup of advice from some of the most respected experts in the careers industry.

I am always flattered and grateful to be invited to contribute to his list of the best of the year. My contribution for 2018 was “7 Reasons NOT to Copy Someone Else’s LinkedIn Profile“.