My close interactions with senior management professionals are too frequent due to my career coaching practice and CXO search initiatives. There is no doubt about the tough competition in that job market, as the opportunities are never plentiful, and companies look for an ideal match that lives in the cloud of high expectations. Goes beyond JD, testifies to high competence in past deliveries, and looks for consistency and market reputations.
How should a senior management professional compete, qualify, and secure the dream position they are looking for? Most of them have a certain level of responsibility, performance records, business understanding, and ability. The margin of the difference comes with certain finer factors that people need to pay more attention to. These factors become crucial for their visibility and brand; the smarter ones succeed.
My objective in this article is to share a few lesser-known factors that help senior executives preserve their influence in the job market by building their demand and escaping the pressure of competition. business
Business dynamics have evolved with rapid technological advancements, shifting industry trends, and a global economy that constantly demands innovation. Staying ahead of the game is essential for aspiring senior executives to remain visible and sought-after in their field, which is extremely important for career advancement.
Gone are the days when experience alone would guarantee career success. Now more than ever, senior management professionals must proactively take the initiative to ensure they stand out from the crowd and continue to be valued by employers. I will share some insights that may help you strategize and make your mark in the job market. So, let's dive in!
How do we stay visible and sought-after?
Stop living in the past. We naturally tend to bask in our past glories and ignore the demands of the present market that help us stay relevant and thrive. We need to look into the potential of technology and feel it is an upstart to adopt; a shift in mindset or thought process remains off the priority list, and we are always shy about staying visible on social platforms, seminars, or industry forums.
Understanding the importance of maintaining visibility cannot be overstated in this fast-paced business world. Employers want leaders who are proactive, adaptable, and always up-to-date with industry trends. You demonstrate that you are actively engaged and committed to professional growth by staying visible.
Another critical aspect of staying visible is to define your brand.
Only brands are noticed when they shine. If you do not tell your audience, industry leaders, and talent hunters how you are different from others and what problem you can solve for them, how would you expect people to find you? This is possible when you start engaging in platforms like LinkedIn or Quora with a clear message about your successes, abilities, and beliefs.
But remember that people are never hired based on their face value or how strongly their references are; they are employed primarily for two reasons. Firstly, their proven track record of bringing about positive change, improving brand acceptance, and multiplying the savings or earnings of the company. Secondly, their mindset, leadership attitude, and overall disposition.
These are relatively easy to build. Many senior leaders understand what went wrong in an interview or the areas they need to improve, but they hardly try to work on it. I watched a video of Virat Kholi, an Indian skipper who broke many records. He knew he was sloppy in his performance on the field, and people depended on him, but he remained in that mold until he faced the mirror one day. One day, he looked at himself and decided to break his shell. He feared that if he did not change now, a lot more could happen to him. He may become a non-performer on the team and be dumped. You all know how he shapes and performs now.
The lesson is to start working on YOURSELF today, right now, and do not procrastinate.
You must hone your skills, improve your physical & mental health, and develop a leadership mindset.
Never presume you are good and do not need help. Ask your mentor, successful leaders, or coach what you can do to improve yourself. You can show prospective employers that you have a growth mindset and are willing to adapt to changing demands.
The third factor is to build a network and positive professional relationships
Attend conferences, join professional associations, and engage in online communities; these platforms provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals who can open doors for future career prospects.
In one of the companies where I worked, a manager used to invest in professional courses from elite academies. People know him for his learning attitude, and he was consulted on various matters. Today, professional learning is free. LinkedIn Premium lets you quickly access courses or attend management crash courses. Remember, reading, studying, and writing develop your perspective on your profession and life & improve the quality of interactions.
Personal branding and cultivating an online presence play a vital role as well.
Establish yourself as an expert by sharing insights on social media platforms or contributing thought-leadership articles to relevant publications.
Enhancing your digital footprint will make you more discoverable to recruiters searching for top talent.
Building your brand's visibility needs Focus, time, and consistency. Success is a challenging game that demands enormous patience.
I realized this more as I started my entrepreneurial journey. As you decide your brand message (what problem you solve for others), identity (how people recognize you), and audience (people who relate to your niche), you need to start being present in multiple social media and physical networking forums. I have spoken enough in the earlier section about these.
You need to 80:20 your actions while building your brand; this will help ease and simplify the brand marketing process. Say you plan to write one small blog about a recent trend in your area of interest. Many tools help you write, paraphrase, or correct your grammar. If you need more confidence writing by yourself, seek the help of AI tools. Writing a blog is the best way to establish authority and share your perspective. This has many keywords (you need not get stressed about finding keywords; keep writing) that prompt Google or the social platform on which you host your blog to find you quickly. If you are not reading this article on Medium, check my page 👉 https://medium.com/@coach.rahulguha.
Focusing on things that give you quick results
This is more important than making regular attempts that have low impact.
In addition to traditional networking events, the digital landscape has opened up endless possibilities for building relationships online. Suppose your connections, followers, or experts find you on social media platforms like LinkedIn or Quora. In that case, they are prompted to engage in conversations, share content, and propel your brand faster than usual.
If you are unfamiliar with Quora, join my space to experience. 👉
Networking isn't just about what you can gain; it's also about offering support to others in your network.
Be proactive in reaching out and providing assistance or resources whenever possible. As I always suggest to my community members (you may join my community. https://wincareer.unsolved.network/), endorsing skills and recommending people on LinkedIn do not cost you anything, but your network will reciprocate by enriching your profile.
Additionally, consider creating a personal microsite to showcase your digital resume, awards, testimonials, and offers to help your community. This will further enhance your brand's visibility and provide potential employers with tangible evidence of what you bring to the table.
Navigating ageism in the workplace can be a challenge for senior management professionals.
While experience and ample wisdom should be valued, unfortunately, age discrimination can still exist. Here are some strategies to help you overcome this hurdle:
➡️Stay up-to-date: Show that you are knowledgeable about current trends, technologies, and industry developments. Keep your skills sharp by taking courses or attending workshops.
➡️Emphasize adaptability: Highlight your ability to learn new things quickly and adapt to change. Be open-minded and willing to embrace innovative ideas.
➡️Showcase your accomplishments: Demonstrate the value you bring through concrete examples of past successes and how they have positively impacted organizations.
➡️ Focus on transferable skills: Highlight skills applicable across industries or roles rather than solely relying on specific job titles or experiences. Many people get stuck into one organization or industry for a long, and a shifting sector may demand such skills.
➡️ Redefine retirement: Challenge traditional notions of retirement by showcasing your passion for work and continued commitment to making a difference in the workplace. Here, your visible fitness and appearance will matter.
By proactively addressing ageism through these strategies, senior management professionals can maintain relevance and continue making valuable contributions in a competitive job market.
The whole idea of this article is to share how to preserve your influence as a Senior Leader and stay ahead of the competition.
C-Suit leaders hold accountability for the advancement of the business, the careers of the people they lead, and the ecosystem that supports them.
Staying ahead of the competition is no choice; it is a necessity. People who take early action reap the benefits and get what they want in their careers. I am aware of senior executives' predicaments when dealing with the ambiguity inherent in their positions.
If you take your career seriously and are keen to start creating your brand, I can help. Please check how 👉 www.curatescope.co.in
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