Wouldn’t it be great to find an exciting career opportunity no one else knew about? Believe it or not, these really do exist. They are typically situations where the company is considering hiring, but hasn’t yet announced. The key to landing these positions is getting your executive resume in front of the decision maker before it is advertised. I can tell you from personal experience that that the combination of the right executive resume and a well-planned networking strategy can be extremely effective.
As with any career advancement strategy, the key is to always present what you offer as the answer to what the potential employer seeks. In short, Career Options sell what they want to buy. This means tailoring your executive resume for each prospective employer. Begin with a general executive resume that you can fine tune for each opportunity. This research is more difficult without a firm job announcement, but can be accomplished with careful internet research.
To succeed, you must go beyond the traditional networking resources, like the websites Linked-In or Facebook. By including less traditional sources of job opportunities, you also limit potential competition. Here are three ideas for finding unadvertised career opportunities:
News Stories – A news article about the arrival of a prominent business in your industry moving to town or into larger offices is a wonderful lead. They could be looking to replace or add staff. Research the department covering your career area, especially that department’s manager, and develop a letter writing campaign. Publications dedicated to your industry or to business in general are especially valuable sources for this sort of information.
Industry Organizations – Does your industry have a trade group or society? Check their website to for information on the industry and organization. If a local business owner was selected to head the group, send a congratulatory letter, alpinepillsshop along with your resume. Most organizations offer some variety of seminars. Find one that fits your area of expertise and get to know other local executives. Individuals who are currently employed might consider carrying inexpensive business cards with your personal contact information to avoid unwanted calls or email to your current office.
Community Service – Participating in community service efforts exclusively to network for a better job is a really bad idea. These organizations do wonderful work and can be very personally rewarding. They can also lead to relationships that benefit your career. However, this should be considered a side benefit. Participate for the joy of giving back to your community, but keep your eyes and ears tuned for potential opportunities.
