Five mistakes management level job seekers make - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Viewpoint careers advice blog

Five mistakes management level job seekers make - Viewpoint - careers advice blog Do you think your job search will be easier now that you’re a manager? As a more senior level job seeker, you’ve gained some fantastic experience over the years and refined your skills â€" you are an expert in what you do â€" so why wouldn’t you breeze straight into your next job? Yes, you are highly skilled, and you have a wealth of experience that would benefit a number of organisations. However, whilst you may be just as talented as the competition, you could be making mistakes whilst job searching that are hindering your chances. These mistakes could boil down to complacency, or simply being a little rusty in your job searching techniques. In this blog, I discuss the common mistakes that you might be making as a management level jobseeker and how you can learn from them. 1. Your CV is missing key information If you are at management level within your current organisation, chances are, you will have been in that role, as well as the company, for a relatively long time. Your current role will be prominent on your CV, and rightly so- this is one of the first things to recruiter looks at.  Despite this, many job seekers will regurgitate the initial job specification, without adding any information about the impact they have made at the company. As a manager, you will have likely made changes and improvements to the business, so be sure to detail what you have brought to the role and the company as a whole. It’s not simply a case of saying you have made certain achievements either you need to include quantitative information that backs this up. For example instead of saying “I increased profits in our overseas market”, try rephrasing  to “I increased revenue by X per cent in the company’s X region by developing such and such strategy.” Give your CV a competitive edge by providing detailed, substantiated examples of what you have brought to your current company during your time there. 2. You have overlooked your recruitment consultant Your recruitment consultant is your most powerful ally, so developing a good relationship with them is essential. They are valuable stakeholders, who can connect you to a number of desirable roles whilst providing you with valuable inside knowledge. Remember- at this level, some companies are not widely advertising more senior positions; therefore a recruitment consultant could be your only route of access. If you don’t feel comfortable going into a recruitment office, consider meeting somewhere such as a coffee shop where you can talk candidly. Make time for the recruiter, go for a meeting with them and provide this consultant with more information about what you’re looking for in your next move. Having an open, strong rapport will not only help you to decide on the suitability of a role, it will also set you apart from the competition that don’t have as good a relationship with their recruiter. 3. You’re not working your network Networking is completely different ball game when you’re further along in your career. Management level jobseekers are able to gain much from more networking than junior ones. You will have made a lot more useful connections during your career so far, you have more control over your diary, and are able to leverage more online opportunities.  Ask yourself are you networking to your full advantage? Think about who you have met during your career what are they doing now and how could they help you?  Be tactical in your approach,  don’t ambush them, and remember to keep the conversation two-way, mentioning what you can do for this person and their business. Go to relevant events, and look at the attendee list beforehand. There are some that will solely consist of senior decision makers. Again, remember networking is reciprocal, and you need to be interested and willing to help whoever you meet. What about your online presence? Your expertise and input could be valued and in demand are there any industry publications you could do a QA with or contribute some editorial to? Have you thought about starting a blog or doing a podcast? LinkedIn Publisher is great way to get your expert views across to a professional audience. Forums and groups are another route to showing your knowledge and getting involved in a wider conversation with potential stakeholders. By networking strategically both online and offline, you are promoting yourself to the right people as knowledgeable, passionate and pro-active. 4. You are out of practice You’ve done a lot of interviews, but how long has it been since you sat on the other side of the table? Refresh your memory of interview best practices, including researching the potential employer. If necessary, refresh your memory and brush up on the latest techniques  here. You should also keep in mind that  an interview is a two-way street.  Too often job seekers see the interview process as a competition for them to win. Instead, see it as a first date â€" you want to find out if you are compatible with them, and vice versa. Ask the right questions, and know what work environment and opportunity will make you happiest and most successful. In this case “winning” is finding a long-term commitment that is a good fit for you and the employer. 5. You are getting impatient Recruiting a management level employee is never a decision to be taken lightly and the hiring manager will be even more determined to get this right than when they hire someone more junior. A management level recruit will typically be attracting higher salary, responsible for more than one person, and making a bigger impact on the company. Taking this into consideration, it’s not surprising that finding a new role isn’t as quick and easy as you initially thought. This can be quite dejecting, and may negatively impact your job search. Stay positive and motivated, yet realistic. Brace yourself for long and tricky search, safe with the knowledge that these decisions are not made on a whim, so when you do get hired, it is because the company are sure you are right for them. In sum, the most common job search mistakes that senior level job seekers make are caused by either being out of touch with the job search process and its best practices, or being complacent and assuming your senior position will propel you into position faster than it would a junior job seeker. To avoid or rectify these mistakes, stay grounded and be willing to improve your CV, relationship with your recruiter, networking strategy, interview approach, and your patience during your job search. In doing this, your chances of securing your next senior position in the near future are greatly increased. About to start your job search? Reading our job searching tips will help ensure it’s a success 2017 â€" The year of your future career The do’s and don’ts of networking to find a job   Not job searched in a long time? 4 ways to overcome your fears Three steps to perfecting your personal brand The hidden ingredient to look for in your next employer How transparent should you be during your job search? Share this blog: