5 Pivotal Executive Job Search FAQs

Over the years, I’ve kept track of the questions that job seekers ask me and I’ve written blog posts addressing the ones that come up all the time. Previously, I wrote posts covering executive job search FAQs in these areas:

Personal Branding
LinkedIn
Online Reputation Management
Executive Resumes
Executive Job Search, in general

You’ll see links to those posts at the end of this article.

5 More FAQs About Executive Job Search

I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to identify with the questions and topics my clients most often want answers for.

1. Why is it taking so long for me to find a job?

First, accept that executive job search in the digital age is difficult and complex, and can take a long time.

But if you haven’t planned and prepared well, your search can take even longer.

I’ve found that most executive job seekers have NOT done the critical initial prep work, including such things as:

Laying the groundwork with targeting and research
Defining and communicating their unique value . . . that is, their personal brand

Get all the details in my post, Why Is My Executive Job Search Taking So Long?

2. Can I land my dream executive job even if I’m under-qualified?

Because job search is one of those major life changes, most people go into it with all kinds of worries . . . mostly about what they feel are shortcomings.

Here are just some of the things my clients have told me they worry about:

They don’t have as many years of experience as required.
They don’t have an MBA, or lack specific hard skills.
They have little to no experience at the c-suite level, but aspire to move up.
They’ve made one or more lateral move in their careers, instead of moving up.
They’ve worked too long at one company – a rarity these days.

Read my post for 3 things that may help to downplay your lack of some qualifications.

3. How do I find executive recruiters to work with?

Before reaching out to recruiters, be ready for them to assess you by doing these things:

Optimize your entire LinkedIn profile with the right keywords, to help recruiters find you.
Get your executive resume in order.

Some of the ways and places to find executive recruiters includes:

Ask your network(s) for recommendations.
Search LinkedIn for executive recruiters.
Check your trade or industry associations for referrals.

More tips in my post, How to Find Executive Recruiters Specializing in Your Niche.

4. I’m over 50. How do I beat age discrimination?

Job search is hard enough without age discrimination in the mix.

But there it is. You have to expect it will happen to you, once you’re “of an age”.

Even so, there are things you can do to keep ageism from jeopardizing your career goals.

You need to build (or re-build) the network you’ve probably neglected so that you’ll be ready to network your way into your target companies.

And you need to dispel the concern that you’re out of date with the digital age.

As much as possible, keep pace with your younger competitors who are social media savvy, active on various social networks, and have built a strong online presence.

You’ll find plenty of tips to minimize the age issue in my post, Executive Job Search Success After 50: How to Overcome Age Discrimination.

5. How do I rebuild my network now that I need these people to help me find a job?

If you’re like most executives thrust into job search, you’ve probably neglected your network because you were securely employed, and didn’t think you needed to keep up with networking.

My 4 steps to revive and expand your network for job search start with laying the foundation:

Start with targeting, research and defining your personal brand.
Reconnect with your existing network.
Reach out to new people on a regular basis.
Create a personal brand communications plan to stay top-of-mind with your network.

For tips on how to do these things, read my post, How Do I Rebuild My Network for Executive Job Search?