7 Best Practices for Leading Your Job Search Like A CEO

"Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice; it not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved."

~Williams Jennings Bryan

Hi Audie,

When was the last time you conducted an active job search?

For many of my clients, it's been years since they actively searched for a new position. The strategies that once worked often fall short today.

The prospect of actively uncovering opportunities, preparing for and interviewing for a new role outside their current or former company can feel unfamiliar and daunting.

No matter your previous experience, a common sentiment I hear from my mid- to senior-level corporate clients is the feeling of being out of their element.

There are many reasons for this, yet what I've heard loud and clear is there's an uneasy feeling conducting an active search as the candidate and the shift in control - they're used to being in charge and driving results, yet as a job seeker it can feel like an area where control is elusive.

The good news is you have a lot more control over your search than you may realize.

Curious?

Read the article below where we'll explore seven best practices to help you become the CEO of your job search/career transition, putting you back in the driver's seat.

7 Best Practices For Leading Your Job Search Like A CEO

Many people find themselves in unfamiliar territory when it comes to conducting a job search, especially if it’s been a while.

Old strategies often fall short today, and the idea of actively searching, preparing for and interviewing for a new job can seem overwhelming and daunting.

It's not uncommon for mid- to senior-level leaders to feel out of their comfort zone when THEY are conducting their own job search campaign because they're used to being in the other side of the table ... the one leading the interviews, and playing a key part of deciding who moves forward in the interview process and who ultimately is offered the position.

As the interviewee, having control over the situation can often feel elusive.

The good news is you have more control over your job search than you may realize.

What follows are seven best practices to help you take charge of your career transition and job search.

VISION

"The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Corporate CEOs have visions for their company. Similarly, it's important that YOU have a vision for your career - the 'ultimate role' and impact to which you aspire.
As part of your overall vision and plan to get there, it's important to have set milestones to strive for and accomplish:

❓ Where do you see yourself in 5, 10, 15 years from now?

❓ Where are you currently at?

❓ What skills and experiences do you need to accomplish and master before you get to the YOU in 5, 10, 15 years from now?

❓ What's the next logical step or role for you in your career journey and what are the key criteria that would make this your dream opportunity?

MINDSET

"You may not be able to control every situation and its outcome, but you can control your attitude and how you deal with it." ~ Anonymous

Having a healthy and positive mindset is one of the most critical characteristics to successfully executing a search campaign.

While the road to landing a new position is often met with disappointments (i.e., rejection letters or being one of the final two candidates and not getting the offer), try not taking any of this personally.

Instead, do a debrief after each conversation or interview, and honestly look at what you could have done differently. Apply those learnings moving forward. It's not win or lose - it's win or learn!

The longer a search goes on, it's important to maintain a positive mindset and positive energy.

By and large, check your negativity at the door! While networking, talking with others, posting/commenting on LinkedIn, and, yes, when interviewing, really focus on ensuring your energy and thoughts are positive.

BE STRATEGIC

"Without strategy, execution is aimless. Without execution, strategy is useless." ~ Morris Chang

As a leader, being strategic is at the core of running your business, division, business unit and leading your team.

An effective job search campaign should also be strategic every step of the way -- from updating your resume and LinkedIn profile, to working on your messaging, networking and executing an effective job search campaign, conducting yourself throughout every step of the interview process, negotiating an offer, and finally, onboarding at your new company to ensure you get off to a great start and have some quick wins.

Being strategic in your search also means being ruthless about your focus areas and time/priority management - focusing on high-value, productive activities that produce the greatest results.

YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE

"A clear personal brand communicates what you have to offer and attracts desirable opportunities." ~ Don Maruska

Every successful business knows its competitive edge and works it to its advantage.

You and your search campaign should be the same! It's important to know - and clearly articulate - what your competitive edge is so that you stand out and get noticed (in a good way!). You want to zig while everyone else zags. You want to stand out in color while everyone else is in black/white.

COLLECT AND ANALYZE DATA, KNOW YOUR METRICS

"Don't measure your progress using someone else's ruler." ~ Unknown

As in business, good strategies and decisions are a result of collecting and analyzing data and knowing your metrics.

If you haven't done so already, I encourage you to keep track of your job search activities and analyze the data so you can maximize your efforts and get quicker results.

One of the best examples is by tracking the source of your interviews over a period of time, and then making sure you spend the vast majority of your time focusing on those that brought in the highest level of results, and less on the activities that resulted in minimal or no results.

Know your metrics! The results vary widely from one person to the next, so be sure you measure your progress based on your strategies, approaches and goals you set ... and aim to improve your results each week.

SEEK OUT HELP AND ADVICE

"Asking for and receiving help is a way to prime the pump of generosity." ~ Jay Perry

Many of my clients have shared they are uncomfortable asking others for help.

When it comes to your career - your livelihood - I can't stress enough the importance of seeking out advice or help from others.

If you're uncomfortable with the word "help", use the words "advice" or "pick your brain". Take baby steps and I promise it'll get easier and more enjoyable the more you do this.

Think about how many times people have sought out your help or advice over the years? Weren't you flattered? I'm guessing many of those individuals were uncomfortable asking you, but they did it and I have no doubt they received valuable information and insights.

REMAIN CURIOUS ... AND ENJOY THE PROCESS!

"Curiosity if the fuel for discovery, inquiry and learning." ~ Anonymous

Making a career change or seeking a new position at a new company can be uncomfortable and scary (it can also be incredibly exciting and energizing), yet I'm a firm believer that you need to take a chance and put yourself out there if you want anything in your life to change.

I've written a lot about mindset (not only in this newsletter, but in others). I've found through my own personal experiences throughout my career and in coaching others, that if you embrace and encourage yourself to get comfortable and enjoy the job search process, you'll have much greater success ... and few frustrations.

One of the best ways is to be curious - you can't help but look at each opportunity with an open mind. Ask compelling questions to determine if this is the right position and company for you, be receptive to meeting new people and learning new things about companies, and become more aware of what you want and don't want in your next role, etc.

"The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life, and the procedure, the process is its own reward." ~ Amelia Earhart

Thanks for reading!📖

If you've made it this far, thank you for diving into this month's newsletter. Reply to this email and share your insights!

Looking forward to dropping in your Inbox next month, where I'll continue to provide valuable job search tips, strategies, and mindset shifts.

Thank you for being part of our community! ❤

To your career success,
Audie

P.S. Ready to accelerate your job search? Let's talk! Click here to schedule a complimentary 30-minute strategy session.

P.P.S. Know someone in need of job search support? I'd appreciate any referrals you can provide!🤗