The Evolving Role of Senior Executives in the Digital Age
The digital age has ushered in unexpected changes, transforming the very fabric of how organizations operate. Let’s unravel the evolving role of senior executives in
As an executive, retained recruiter, I commonly get calls and LinkedIn messages from people on the job market asking if I have a job for which they could be considered. For the few I’m able to give time to speak with, I ask “What do you want to do next?” and “What industry sector and function is the best fit for you?” The responses are often purposefully vague in an effort to keep options open. Since candidates don’t know what I am working on, they understandably do not want to be eliminated unknowingly. Without a clear target neither of us will hit the bullseye. Keeping your options open can mean no options at all.
In address of navigating career and driving career progression, I recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of Chief Communications Officers (CCO) about career path and professional development. This group happened to be comprised primarily of public school communications officers, and - no surprise - their number one question to an executive recruiter was “How do I transition to the corporate world, another industry, or even another role?”
At the CCO event, I posed a career question applicable to all candidates,“What companies share the same audiences you target or participate in?” For public school CCOs, who are business to business and business to consumer, it could be the corporate vendors that provide scholastic publications, curriculum media, software, suppliers, the local residential communities and government entities. To find your place in the job market, list the businesses that you utilize in your current role; the businesses that serve you now. While the answer may cover multiple industries (technology, publishing, scholastic, government), it provides the start of a framework where existing skills and experiences could be an advantage to a hiring company. Think about who in the business world would want your perspective. For public school CCOs, consider consultancies to the sector like research, media, analytics, communication agencies, realtors, businesses relocating their headquarters locations (which have teams for that specific project), insurance carriers, etc.
Then what? Incorporate your personal audiences into a job search strategy with tailored messaging. Like writing a business plan, or in this case, a personal PR campaign:
1. Who are your audiences? Again, identify the audiences (or businesses) you already touch and consider the value or perspective you can offer accordingly.
2. What is your strategy on the job market to reach your audiences? This where you would logically think about networking, but also think about your approach. That’s the “cha cha cha” that makes a cold outreach warmer. It can be mistaken for charisma or salesmanship, but actually it’s the homework of connecting the dots in your network or offering a compelling perspective, knowledge, or valuable insight to new contacts making it worth their time to engage.
Within your strategy for where you fit in the job market, also think carefully about title. Don’t make the assumption that your title as Vice President of Strategy & Quality translates to the job title of Mergers & Acquisitions without explanation. Add a dash after your title that defines your focus if it’s not clear. Look around for what your target companies label the function you fit. For CCOs, consider roles like: Community Relations, Chief Advisor, Chief Customer Service Officer (a growing function!), Executive Director, and VP - Media Influence (reports to Global CCO).
3. What are your tactics? These are the granular, one foot in front of the other tools and resources you will use to make action on your strategy. So what are your tools?
Constantly refer to your audience list as a checklist. Conducting a weekly or monthly review of where you are, literally, on the job market is a great way to do this. Done well, a targeted job search can set you up with a rich, timely resource network and contact list to be effective in your new role.
The digital age has ushered in unexpected changes, transforming the very fabric of how organizations operate. Let’s unravel the evolving role of senior executives in
As navigators of corporate strategy, your boardroom decisions carry significant weight, shaping the trajectory of your organization. But you already know that. In this blog,