How To Find An Executive Job When Your Search Has Stalled

There is often nothing more frustrating than spending many hours each day searching for a job only to find that your hard work doesn’t seem to be paying off. Even though you’re probably aware that executive job searches can take some time, you might feel frustrated by the amount of time it seems to be taking.

There’s no definitive, certain way to get an executive job tomorrow, but there are certainly ways to refined and clean up your approach to ensure that you’ve got the best possible chance of getting a job. So if your executive job search isn’t quite panning out, here are some tips to keep it going.

Make Some Unique Adjustments to Your Resume

If your traditional resume isn’t pulling in the attention you want, you may have the wave the red flag at the bull. In other words, you may have to say some things that may get a recruiter or employer’s attention. For online applications, this can mean using a more attention-getting title. Instead of just re-typing the position you’re applying for (i.e. “Executive Sales Director), you might use one that draws people in (i.e. “Executive Sales Director at 123 Trading Led Team to Record $1 Million Revenue in 2008”).

Another unique resume strategy would be to list the logos of past (or current) employers on the left-hand side of your resume. You can also show the logos from universities you’ve attended, including pictures of any awards you’ve received. These images would give quick insight to your background without having to search for words. You might also vary the system that you use to deliver your resume–if you use email often, try using regular mail, or vice versa.

Try Adding a P.S. to your Cover Letter

In a continued effort to stand out among your competition, you might also consider adding a “p.s” to your cover letter. One reason is that in this section you can add one or two tidbits about yourself that the employer may not know. Also, it will create an impression, and if nothing else is read in that important front page, the “p.s” will – in fact, it may draw the employer in first then intrigue him enough to work backwards and read the entire cover letter.

So what do you say in your “p.s.”? You may take a chance and namedrop. Use some subtelty and engage the hiring manager’s interest with something like “Contact me to find out why Dr. Tammy Stuart from Princeton called me the best executive sales director in the state.” You might just want to add a personal statement that explains why you’re a good executive hire for the prospective employer’s business.

Broaden Your Contact Scope

After years as an executive, you may have a healthy list of contacts to connect with as you seek job opportunities. But if your job search has so far led you to brick walls, it may be time to expand your contact list. You can find millions of professionals from various areas of expertise by using websites like Linked In and ZoomInfo.

A dragging executive job search isn’t the end of the world, it just means that you may have to light a fire – better yet, a towering inferno – under your own you-know-what. By pushing passed your own limits, you’ll be able to supercharge your executive job search in no time.