4 Tips to Being More Hirable Every Executive Should Know
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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 creative with format and content—appropriate to your background and level. How so? Highlight your skills and experience with graphs, breakout boxes, and/or color. The content needs to be focused on your achievements and value. If the resume grabs the reader’s attention in 6-10 seconds, you have a good chance they will read the entire resume.

Tip 2: Market yourself as the “must-have” executive candidate.

It’s essential to create a picture in the mind of the recruiter or hiring manager that you are the perfect candidate for the position. How do you do this? One way is to customize your resume for each position you apply for. I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but executive jobs are often very different in requirements and qualifications. One job opportunity may require highlighting specific accomplishments and skills for that position, while another set of accomplishments and skills might need to be showcased for another position. Ultimately, you want to help the reader envision how your experience makes you the best candidate.

Tip 3: Make social media work for you.

Recruiters and hiring managers check executive candidates online as one of the first things they do. Google yourself to check if you have any digital dirt showing up online—check the first several pages. Also check if there are other people with your name showing up—do they have bad reputations that may affect you. Have a presence on social media sites like LinkedIn. Even joining a few groups and commenting once in a while will help raise your social media presence.

Tip 4: Demonstrate your executive qualities.

Whether in an interview or written into your resume, LinkedIn profile, or other career documentation, make sure the recruiters or hiring managers understand your value and strength as an executive. Putting all the job seeking strategies aside, this is one of the most important factors to get across to a potential employer.

Companies want executives who know how to gain knowledge, convert that knowledge into effective actions, and ensure the team accepts accountability for success. Companies look for executives who…

1.Ask what needs to be done

2.Question if this is right for the company

3.Develop action plans

4.Take responsibility for decisions

5.Communicate responsibly

6.Focus on opportunities with solutions rather than problems

7.Run productive meetings

8.Think team-focused and say “we” rather than “I”

Ensure that you make it to the “must-call” stack by implementing these tips to communicate your value and hirability.