15 Mistakes That Could Sabotage Your Executive Job Search
It goes without saying that you need the best executive resume and LinkedIn profile in your corner, so this list includes some mistakes to avoid in preparing your documents. (See also my LinkedIn article, Top 25 Mistakes I See on Executive Resumes.).
But even if you have a dynamite set of self-marketing materials, there are plenty of other basic mistakes you can make that will slow or even bring your executive job search to a screeching halt.
Here are just a few executive job search mistakes to avoid:
Failing to target your executive resume and other self-marketing materials to the position type and level you are looking for NOW.
Neglecting the all-important top third of your resume’s first page. If you do not make a compelling business case right away for why someone would want to pick up the phone and call you, let alone hire you, your resume may be rejected right out of the gate. Remembering that most resumes get an initial scan that can be as little as 7 seconds long, don't leave your reader wondering how or why you would be the solution to the company's problem(s). (See How to Write a Dynamite Executive Resume for tips on writing a compelling resume, including a special section on writing your executive summary or profile.)
Wasting valuable top-of-page real estate on an outdated objective. (Exception: If you are attempting to make a huge career change to a new line of work where you have to make your transferable skills apparent.) For more on this, see Should My Executive Resume Contain an Objective Statement?
Blanketing the jobscape with your resume, submitting it for any and every role even remotely related to your experience and expertise. Instead, spend some time researching companies that interest you and seem likely to have a need for your capabilities.
Submitting an excessively long executive resume. There is no need to detail your early career experiences, and neither is it necessary to exhaustively list every responsibility of each of your positions. Instead, focus on the positive impacts you were able to make in executing the charter of your position. Learn just how long your executive resume should be.
Vague, task-oriented, unquantified "accomplishment" statements. Which is more powerful?
"Directed nationwide operations." or
"Restructured operations nationwide for a 20% across-the-board cost reduction while increasing customer satisfaction by 40%, as verified by survey.
Wondering how to do this without sounding like a braggart? See The Art of the Humble Brag.
Neglecting your LinkedIn presence. Estimates are that as high as 99% of recruiters and hiring executives consult LinkedIn to get further information on candidates (if they didn't find the candidate there in the first place). Imagine their disappointment when they find your profile containing just a copy of your resume content, or even worse, with few connections, a generic avatar photo and default background, and sparse or zero content. Get recruiters attention with your LinkedIn profile!
Damaging content on social media. Carelessly placing highly opinionated, offensive, or controversial content on social media sites such as Facebook is unwise. More than half of hiring managers have rejected a candidate based on the negative impression they left on social media.
Limiting your job search activities to responding to online postings. Don't forget to cultivate connections with recruiters in your field of expertise (LinkedIn is a great place to do this), network with colleagues and friends both on- and offline, and directly contact companies you have researched.
Not approaching your job search as a serious activity to which you devote a substantial amount of time on a regular basis. Obviously if you are currently employed you cannot job search full time (the ideal), but you should put as much time and effort into it as circumstances allow. Shooting off a handful of resumes per week is not a serious job search.
Not optimizing your resume for ATS. Not addressing the reality that even at executive level most resumes nowadays are going to end up in a company or recruiter's database will hinder your search. If your resume is not ATS (Applicant Tracking Software) friendly, a human being may never see it. Make sure your resume is rich in keywords and formatted in such a way that the ATS can properly allocate the data. (For more on this, see Your Executive Resume Must Be ATS-Friendly AND Graphically Pleasing.)
Failing to follow-up on active job leads. Even in a job market with record low unemployment, there are still many applicants for each position. If you have submitted your resume or application, stand out by following up about a week later with an email stating your continued interest. If you got an interview, follow up with a thank-you email or letter.
Being less than thoroughly prepared for each interview. It is critical to research the company and anticipate/prepare for questions you are likely to be asked. Being flummoxed when asked to tell an employer what you know about their company can be fatal to your chances.
Failing to thoroughly proofread everything you submit, including your executive resume, cover letter, email message, and online application. Typos can be deadly.
LYING... including active lies, exaggerations, or lies by omission in your written materials or in interviews. Just DON'T DO IT. The consequences can be literally career ending.