The Reality of Job Search Patience, Grasshopper: If ever this phrase was more applicable, it is during executive job search. After weeks, or even months of introspection and prep to launch your newly rebranded career portfolio, it may be tempting to expect to ‘rush’ to the results finish line. Landing that first interview seems like it should be just around the corner, now. After all, you’ve been run...

In the early part of the year, many candidates experience a revved-up sense of urgency to jump their corporate ship. Perhaps it is unresolved New Year’s resolutions, or maybe just a feeling of spring and new blooms of career growth on the horizon. As such, the first quarter of the year is an optimal time for employers who are actively recruiting to capitalize on the employees’ itch for renewal. Some of the...

Kick your job search into gear with best executive job search tips for the new year. With so much information online and so many ‘Top 10 Resume Writing Services for Executives’ claims, how do you discern which advice you should follow? I’ve selectively invited respected and long-tenured resume writing and career coaching colleagues to weigh in and provide best practices to help you launch a success...

You don’t stomp on the grapes and then drink the wine next week. Similarly, with your executive resume writing strategy, LinkedIn profile and overall career portfolio, you don’t stomp on a few words and begin interviewing for your dream opportunity next week. Quality messaging takes time to develop and ripen. So, while you are waiting for your message to mature, here are a few things you can do to capitalize...

I love the phrase, “you don’t know what you don’t know,” because it is one that regularly arises in my head or in conversation. It’s especially true for executives who suddenly find themselves embarking on job search. Although it’s usually not a sudden decision, the abruptness of the changes they find themselves embarking on feels startling. For example, if you haven’t compose...

This week’s Top Tip for executives reinvigorating their executive resume is to slow down and go deep into your thought archives before writing your critical career story. Without considerable introspection and layers of thought work related to the ultimate goal of preparing a focused, meaningful and compelling story, your resume will fall flat, like a cake without baking powder.

The nuts and bolts of job search strategy in some instances have stayed the same for many years. For example, careerists still need … to have a great resume. to have a solid, focused resume cover or introduction letter. to know people who know people. In other instances, job search strategies have metamorphosed. For example, you must … 1. Have more than a resume chronology. Your resume must te...

“Truth is like beauty; it lies in the mind of the beholder” ? Bangambiki Habyarimana, The Great Pearl of Wisdom While concepts and strategies for building a hard-working executive resume abound, the absolute truth about executive resume writing is less clear. Some career experts suggest otherwise, admonishing fleshier resumes and advising you must write so tight that not only does the fat get chucked bu...

A tweet floated by in my Twitter stream the other day reminding careerists that “the ONLY purpose of a resume is to get you that interview!” I heartily disagree! The resume is so much more! Following are 5 functions of the resume, beyond cinching the initial interview: 1. Equips Interview Conversations. BEFORE you ever deploy your resume to appeal to the potential interview, the process of unearthing yo...

A client + senior executive careerist reminded me today the importance of ‘riding the wave’ of change, of its constancy. We sometimes become weary of change and don obstinacy, like a prized robe. We want to control the journey, dissuading potential obstacles or unplanned paths. We want to close the door and the blinds and only let in people and activities that are amenable and cozy. This may seem ideal, fo...