Being in the role of executive can be a fulfilling and busy position. But even with the level of depth an executive has within their organization, there is always the possibility of a career change.
Proactive and successful companies are always seeking excellent talent. If you wish to be in a position to be offered employment, the company seeking the prospective employee needs to identify you as being the specific person they need. They will make an offer to the person they feel is the best fit for the role, and someone who they believe will bring significant value to their company.
They must also believe that the value justifies the salary, and likewise the salary must be sufficient for you to accept the role. If they fail to make this match with you, they will carry on searching and ultimately make an offer to someone else.
Being in the position of an executive, there are five main dilemmas you’ll face when considering a career change, albeit through your own initiative or an (un)expected offer:
The Cost of Time In Between Jobs
It’s not unusual to find yourself in a period of in between jobs. This means you will not be bringing in a salary for however long this period is. There is an opportunity cost associated with this time, you should calculate the worst case scenario before voluntary taking time out.
Effective Salary Negotiation
Careers can be determined by the amount of the salary. The company employing know how much they are willing to pay, and not a penny more. You want them to pay what you believe your worth to be, and not a penny less. Establishing the right salary at the beginning is very important, not only does it secure your immediate earnings, but influences the potential for future earnings.
Looking at How You’re Marketing Yourself
I think it’s fair to say the vast majority of executives think they can market themselves perfectly well without any help. But more often than not they have not looked for a new job in quite some time, and the landscape is always changing.
The methods they used last time will likely no longer be as relevant, and the way they see themselves might not be how others see them. So don’t be afraid to take a step back, and ask for help. Marketing yourself effectively is a large part of the equation when it comes to securing the job you want.
Securing Yourself an Interview
The amount of applicants that apply for executive level positions advertised online can reach the thousands. So, how can you put yourself in a better position of being noticed and securing an interview?
Use recruitment agencies – The mandate of a recruitment agency is to land their clients in jobs. That’s how they get paid, so if you have a proactive agency working with you they will be breaking down doors to get you an interview.
Networking – It’s an age old classic. But networking is a great way of giving yourself a small leap over many other candidates. If you can be recommended first-hand by someone you have previously crossed paths with while networking, this can be a golden opportunity.
Look for discreetly advertised jobs – Not all jobs will be posted on a popular job search site online. Some companies prefer a more discreet approach, as a way to minimize the applicants. Use this to your advantage, search the vacancies sections on company websites, read the newspapers etc.
Be Realistic
This is the one piece of advice most people do not want to hear, and it can be easily misinterpreted. Having lofty goals is great, being ambitious is noble, but always be realistic. If you are not sure how suitable or qualified you are for a position, don’t be afraid to ask the confidential opinions of colleagues and friends.
Many executive fall foul of one or more of the above mentioned dilemmas. Failure to adapt to the fast moving environment around us, or to evaluate ourselves can hold us back. It’s never too late to change career, or to apply for a job that comes up. But be methodical and realistic in your approach, and be risk-aware of the consequences.
About the Author:
Noel Griffith is a webmaster at Careers Wiki and works as a recruitment consultant and career advisor. He focuses on helping people find their ideal career, and giving ongoing advice in regard to finding a progressive career path to match their skill set. With a strong belief in communication and networking, Noel’s goal is to help connect the right people and forge strong professional relationships. To contact Noel you can email him at careerswiki1@gmail.com.
