Senior executives often feel that their current position/title provides them with all the credibility they need...and sometimes forget the basics of keeping themselves and their careers top-of-mind among industry decision-makers.
Following are the top 7 ways senior executives compromise their marketability.
1. Inability to State Their Personal Brand
Knowing and being able to articulate your unique point-of-difference is essential for senior executives looking to expand their opportunities. Personal branding allows you to quickly identify optimal environments so that you spend the limited time you have wisely. It is becoming essential for senior executives to build and communicate their personal brands to expand both individual and corporate success.
2. Marketing Themselves Only When They Have To
How many times have you received a call out-of-the-blue from someone you worked with years ago—only to find out they’ve just been laid off/fired and need a job immediately? Ironically, this often happens with people who specialize in sales and marketing—the very people who understand the value of frequency and consistency when selling a product.
3. Appearing Technology Challenged
Technology is integral to how business is conducted in today’s world. Regardless of whether you deal directly with technology in your role—your use of technology positions you as one au courant with the business world. Sporting the most current smartphone is a small price to pay for the potential opportunities it affords. Remember, you are always reinforcing your personal brand.
4. Limited Visibility—Internally and Industry-wide
The time demands of senior-level positions often results in a life that is a series of trade-offs between work and family. The last thing most people want to do at the end of the day is attend industry functions. And yet raising your visibility within your industry often results in making you even more valuable internally leading to better opportunities in the long term.
5. Thinking Like an Employee
The days of corporate career paths are over—you are in charge of creating your path in the corporate world. Management is interested in having you solve their problems—whether their needs align with your career goals is irrelevant to them. It is up to you to make sure that you have a career strategy and that you are executing it. Reacting appropriately to corporate changes and evaluating your progress within your industry is your responsibility.
6. Relying on Current Job Performance
While performing well in your current position is the price-of-entry for a senior executive, too often that is the only consideration for performers. The focus is on doing the best possible job with the hope that your contributions will be recognized. With the pace and volume of work what it is, others may not be as cognizant of your contributions as they should be.
7. Unfamiliarity with Job Channels
Most people operate on the theory if something works, continue to do it. However, changes in the way people communicate and receive information has had a profound impact on how people seek out new work opportunities—whether it’s a new job or an upgrade of the position you’re in. Relying on your personal network of contacts may no longer afford you the best selection of opportunities.
Want to learn more about how to overcome these marketability missteps? Contact Amanda Mitchell, an executive coach who specializes in working with high achievers. amitchell@theokeefegroupusa.com
