In this interview, we talked to Mike Morrow, from TRANSEARCH USA, about the results of the 2016 BlueSteps Executive Job Outlook report and his advice for candidates. Download the full report here.

Many executives expect the number of executive jobs to increase in 2016. Is now the time to make a move?

Now is a great time to consider a move. We are seeing robust search activity through the first month and a half of 2016.

What global economic trends do you see having the most impact on executive jobs in the coming year?

The US economy will continue to be a growth engine for the global economy, despite relatively low GDP growth and the meltdown of commodities like oil. Within the US, talented executives are migrating away from oil and into other sectors, creating some competition for leadership roles. China is stuck, but India will continue to see great growth. Many of our US clients are stalled in China and growing aggressively in India.
 

How can an executive best present him/herself to get noticed by executive search consultants in today’s marketplace?

Being visible is important. While having a nice profile on LinkedIn is a good start, it’s important to be out there in your industry, speaking at conferences, being quoted in publications and being mentioned in press releases. In terms of outreach to executive search firms, it is always most beneficial to get referred to a search consultant directly – we see a lot of unsolicited resumes, so a warm referral helps an executive stand out.
 

What would you rank as the major challenges for executives at the moment, and what executive skills are in high demand considering those current challenges?

One of the biggest challenges for executives at the moment is creating the right culture and competing to get key talent into the organization. In light of changes to the way businesses run, from the Internet of Things (IoT) to the impact of ethical stumbles, creating the right culture and getting the right people on the bus has never been more critical. As organizations face new challenges and are forced to adapt, executives with strong change management experience who can steer organizations in the right direction are in high demand.
 

Why do you think most executives valued executive coaching and digital/social media training over other forms of additional training/education? Do you agree that this is the best way for executives to stay relevant in the job market, other than on the job experience?

Executive coaching has long been a valued form of training. Helping executives understand their leadership blind spots and leverage their strengths can do more for their career path growth than any advanced degrees or formal training. Digital and social media training help them increase their visibility, but executive coaching helps them improve their substance.
 

If you could offer one key piece of advice to today’s senior leaders, what would that be?

My one key piece of advice for today’s senior leaders: Adapt. The demands on executive leadership continue to change, and so too must the executives.

For more one-on-one interviews and commentary from leading executive search consultants, download the full report here.