When hiring an executive, the starting point of the search may well be a business issue such as rapid growth, integration after mergers, or a turnaround situation. The company needs someone with the solution for the problem, and it's different when it comes to a COO who excels at growing companies is not the same as one who works in turnarounds. Those executives who can state what they do best are more easily hired. According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, senior-level managers usually require many years of experience and have to communicate information effectively.
Three Components of Executive Visibility
Visibility isn't about popularity or posting all the time. Three key elements of visibility according to Executive Career Upgrades are:
- Clarification of positioning: provide a description of your skillset and problems that you can solve, rather than just being a "results driven leader."
- Providing proof of claims : through evidence of revenue increases, increased efficiency, acquisitions, change management, etc.
- Being relevant in the market: stay in the spotlight with recruiters and forum discussions.
Without proof, clarification will pose a question mark. Without visibility, proof does not reach others.
Why Applying to More Positions Isn't Always the Answer
Senior positions are often staffed based on confidential mandates, succession planning, and executive search mandates before any position becomes available at all, and applying for open positions will reach just part of the market. Pursuing positions unrelated to existing qualifications can also compromise positioning. The advice from the company is to focus on the leadership mandates that best suit one's expertise.
Communication of Intent is Essential for Networks and LinkedIn
The more people in your network, the more useful it will be only if they know what you are seeking. Whereas "open to senior leadership roles" is not much of an actionable point for them, "operational leadership in growth stage B2B organizations scaling up" is something which they can identify with. LinkedIn requires that leaders should be able to show their accountability, challenges and accomplishments instead of listing their jobs chronologically.
The 90-Day Visibility Plan
- Day 1-15: Select up to three targeted leadership goals and determine what success would look like in measurable terms.
- Day 16-30: Ensure that your resume, LinkedIn profile and biography are saying the same thing.
- Day 31-60: Reach out to old colleagues, mentors, investors and recruiters.
It's quality not quantity that counts - ten targeted conversations beat out hundreds of blind attempts.
Measuring Progress
Some early indicators of improved visibility are recruiters reaching out with a more aligned job opportunity, appropriate introductions by contacts, more targeted networking discussions, and colleagues coming to the executive for an opinion about issues they face in relation to their positioning. An outside opinion could also be beneficial in helping executives identify what accomplishments matter most in the external marketplace, which is where Executive Career Upgrades focuses its work.
Recognition, Not Publicity
Being visible is not about self-promotion or overplaying one's strengths. Rather, it is about making leadership capabilities credible and relevant to the organization's needs. "Those executives who perform best during change," states Madden, "know their value and know how to get people to appreciate its relevance."
About Executive Career Upgrades
Executive Career Upgrades is a professional career management firm for directors, VPs, and executives looking to find better positions, lead with impact and on-board with ease. We assist organizations in providing outplacement, leadership development and recruiting solutions. Over 8,000 clients in over 21 different industries have been served by our organization. Our organization has been featured on the Inc. 5000 list for 2 consecutive years and is considered one of the 48 fastest growing veteran-owned companies in the U.S. The co-founder and CEO of Executive Career Upgrades is Tim Madden, a U.S. Army Captain and a best-selling author of the book 'Discipline Equals Dream Job'.
Media Contact
Executive Career Upgrades
Media Relations Team
Email: media@execupgrades.com
Website: https://execupgrades.com/
