The 10 Biggest Mistakes C-level Candidates Make in Their Job Search

The 10 Biggest Mistakes C-level Candidates Make in Their Job SearchThe 10 Biggest Mistakes C-level Candidates Make in Their Job SearchThe 10 Biggest Mistakes C-level Candidates Make When Seeking New JobsDont commit these job-search mishaps.Much of the job-search advice out there these days is directed toward entry-level candidates the recent graduate whos looking for a big break in the real world. But youre an executive, a C-level professional. You have years of experience, but just because youve worked your way up the ranks doesnt mean you dont need some job-search advice.In fact, you might need a little more help than those just starting out. Youve got some strong competition, and, chances are, youve been with your company for a while, so youre a little out of practice.Not to worry Here are the 10 biggest mistakes C-level candidates make when landseeking new jobs and how you can avoid them.Mistake 1 Relying on your years of experience to carry youYour resume is stacked full of ex perience, but you cant rely on that to carry you all the way to a job offer.Brush up on your soft skills. If youre working with a headhunter or recruiter, build a relationship with them. When you interview with a hiring manager, be an engaged conversationalist. Its not that youre not friendly, its just easy to lean on your resume for all the support and you dont want to do that.Mistake 2 Focusing on your entire careerFocusing on all your years of experience is a lot of ground to cover especially when it comes to writing your resume or talking about your career in a job interview. It can be easy to launch into a monologue outlining your last 20 years in the industry, but its important to stay focused.Think about your elevator pitch that quick spiel that clearly explains what you currently do and what font of opportunity youre seeking. Once youve perfected your revised elevator pitch for the roles you are seeking, dont forget to update your resumes Professional Summary and LinkedIn profile summary to reflect this, as well.Mistake 3 Interviewing the company too muchWhen you schedule a job interview, remember this The main objective of your interview is not to see if its the right fit for you the companys representatives are interviewing you.Absolutely ask all the questions you need to at the end of the interview to double-check your interest in the company and role, but youre still there to impress the hiring manager and interviewers.Mistake 4 Assuming this is a one-and-done processThe dream might be to find the perfect job, make the move, settle in, and retire with that company. Done and done.Unfortunately, thats not always the case, so if you work with a recruiter or connect with hiring managers, make an effort to build a relationship with them. You might need to keep those lines open for future opportunities.Mistake 5 Forgetting you have to actually search for a jobThis might sound silly, but even though you have a hr of great experience, youll probably st ill have to put some elbow grease into your job search. Recruiters and hiring managers arent necessarily going to immediately flock to you.Make sure you update your LinkedIn profile and get your resume on a senior-level status.Mistake 6 Failing to research a company before the interviewSure, you have a ton of knowledge of your industry, but dont skimp on researching a company before you interview. Interviewers want to see you have a strong understanding of their specific company, its values, and its mission.Study the companys website, look through its LinkedIn page, and comb through Glassdoor information. Do a quick Google News search to see if its been in any headlines lately, as well.Mistake 7 Not recalling specific anecdotesThis is an honest mistake. Youve spent years building a career, so when an interviewer asks you to recall a specific example, it might be difficult to think of just one. Spend some time before the interview running through sample questions and answers.Need hel p preparing for your big interview? Our sister site, TopInterview, offers you the chance to work with professional interview coach Mistake 8 Tiptoeing in the digital sphereYou mightve been with the same company for years and had no intentions looking for a new job.Well, its time to get with the times and build up your digital presence. Create a LinkedIn profile (or polish up the one you made years ago), join networking groups online, and tap into industry information through Facebook groups. Depending on your profession, consider investing in a personal website and portfolio. There are a ton of ways to stay connected online, so be sure youre taking advantage of your options.Mistake 9 Not stepping outStepping out into the real world is just as important as establishing that digital footprint. Dont clam up and lean on LinkedIn to find your next job. Make an effort to attend networking events, say yes to coffee with recruiters and industry leaders, attend conferences, and even voluntee r for a nonprofit. You never know who youll meet.Mistake 10 Becoming impatientAlthough you do have a leg up when it comes to experience, you have to be just as patient as other job seekers. Theres a whole pool of qualified C-level candidates out there, so temper your expectations and be realistic in your endeavors.Remember Youve come this far in your career, so dont be afraid to hold out for the perfect opportunity.Click on the following link for more job-search advice.Is your resume going to wow the recruiters and headhunters you work with? Not sure? Check with a free, objective resume review todayRecommended ReadingHow We Helped This Professional Who Was deckenfries In His Toxic Job10 Powerful Changes for Your Senior-Level ResumeHow to Interview for a Senior Position