Being a senior executive puts you in a great place as a top-level employee in an organization. You get the best of compensation, respect, and authority. But stagnation is often a concern when you reach this stage of your career. You may not have many options when it comes to growth opportunities. Moreover, switching jobs sounds risky and daunting when you are on the top of the ladder. Many companies shy away from hiring senior leadership professionals because they are expensive and often close to retirement. But you can still unlock growth and change a job according to your expectations. Here is the best career advice for senior executives in 2023 and beyond.
Conduct extensive research
The job landscape is dynamic, and things change sooner than you imagine. A role in high demand may suddenly get redundant due to technological innovation. Experts recommend extensive research on your industry before leaving a high-paying, long-term job. After all, a career leap at this stage makes sense only if you have a safe place to land. Besides checking your options, consider what you genuinely want and decide your reason for the switch.
Revamp your resume
Revamping your resume should be a priority when looking for career growth as a senior executive. But most people in these roles do not bother beyond adding skills and accomplishments over the years. You will probably have an overly long resume that does not match the most relevant position. Double-check your resume and update it by adding relevant elements and trimming the redundant ones.
Practice your interview skills
Remember that interview skills do not improve with more experience and a top position. In fact, senior leaders may be far behind their younger counterparts because they do not appear for interviews often. Practicing your interview skills before diving into the job landscape puts you in a better position. You must also master the craft of executive compensation negotiation because salary negotiation gets trickier when you are on the top of the ladder. The dollar figure runs high, and you will not expect to compromise it at any cost.
Be selective with job applications
When you have fewer job opportunities as a top executive, applying for each one you come across sounds tempting. But you should be selective with job applications and apply for only the ones you fit well with. Trying your hand at random opportunities can do more harm than good because it may actually dilute your credibility. Dig deep into the job and company profile to choose wisely.
Network at the top level
Good networking is critical, regardless of the position on the career front. You can improve your chances of landing a dream job by networking with people who actually make decisions about executive appointments. Reach out to people at the CEO or Board level and connect with them. You can even ask them for referrals and recommendations, as they can be far more effective than the conventional job search route.
Career growth at the executive level may be more challenging than you imagine. But you can ease the journey and take the best picks by following these simple tips.
