Not everyone has a perfect professional past. Even executives have glitches in their career at some point in their lives.Do you have gaps between jobs or have you ever been fired? Do you know how to put yourself in a positive light to potential employers despite negative issues from the past?The key is to avoid dwelling on unfavorable subjects or at least minimize the problem areas. A few tips:1.Exude a positive attitude. T...
Cover letters are still an important document in an executive job seeker’s collateral materials. They provide a good opportunity to build rapport with a recruiter or prospective employer. Comments expressed by more than 75% of hiring managers range from “somewhat valuable to very valuable” when evaluating an executive candidate for a position who presents a cover letter.Eye appeal is important. A visually attractive cover l...
Cover letters are not dead yet! And they can be an effective way to help the recruiter or hiring manager identify your talents and capabilities as a viable candidate for a job opening. A well-written cover letter can also help you stand out among your peers.Your cover letter should exude enthusiasm, motivation, and drive. The reader should be able to see at a glance how well you communicate, and what emotional intelligence...
Congratulations! You’ve made it past the first few hurdles of getting your resume in front of a recruiter or hiring manager. They may have vetted you through LinkedIn and Google, and possibly you’ve passed the pre-screen interview. Now they are requesting references before moving you through the hiring process.1. Prepare the people on your reference list. First and foremost, get their permission. It is very important that y...
Recruiters and hiring managers either love or hate virtual resumes. Let’s examine a few pros and cons:PROParticularly useful for people in non-standard careers such as creative arts, entertainment industry, or a vast range of marketing positions where video and/or audio work product can demonstrate expertise and competencies.Helps executives with long career histories showcase their talents in more depth. Not restricted by...
Resumes have evolved over the decades. Figuring out what to include in your resume today can be confusing. Deciphering the contradictions made by experts can be overwhelming. As an executive, you may approach this challenge as you would other issues in business: listen to the experts, identify what would work for you, and make an informed decision.What should you leave out of a resume in 2016? Five key things:Objective. Pro...
Whether you a seasoned executive or newly elevated to the executive level, you need to be aware of how these five elements impact the effectiveness of your resume.Profile section. The top one-third of your resume is the most valuable real estate in the resume. This area is where recruiters and hiring managers grab the essence of who you are and what you can do for their company in six seconds. Yes, I said six seconds! This...
Executives have been on many interviews throughout their career and any number of interview questions may come to mind as the most important. But, the universal all-encompassing question that can make or break an interview is (or a variation):“Why should we hire you?” Before you dismiss this as a so-so question, consider the scenario: the hiring manager is looking at the top three executives to fill the job. All things bein...
The executive job market has changed over the years. That’s a fact. Employers are extremely selective with their executive hires more so today than ever before. The number of qualified candidates searching for new positions still creates a highly competitive market. How can you present yourself to be more hirable and beat out your competition?Tip 1: Stand out with your resume.The old-fashioned resume format is dead. Be crea...
The statistics prove the results – more than 75% of jobs are filled before they are formally advertised. At one time or another you may have even experienced finding a job through a resource other than by submitting your resume to a job board for an advertised position.Executives have all heard about the hidden job market, back door career opportunities, or whatever you want to label it. But do you know how effective career...