Top Job-Hunting Strategies for Senior-Level Professionals

Searching for a job as a senior-level professional comes with its own set of unique challenges, which is why you will need a different approach from someone searching for an entry-level position for example. This is because, at this level, the stakes are higher. But the good news is that the process is a bit easier, as you will already have a track record that speaks for itself.

Having said that, the key to securing a job as a senior-level professional is identifying the strategies and techniques that other C-level professionals follow when they’re making any career transition. And when you combine these strategies with strong credentials and outstanding job experience, you will be in a strong position to land your dream job.

So, we’ve put together 6 senior-level job-hunting strategies that will help you in advancing your career:

Research Your Target Companies

Before you apply to a particular company, take time to find out more about it, so you can ensure that you’re applying to companies that fulfill your future career goals. There are several elements to consider when researching a potential employer, and these include:

• Philosophy. Check out the company’s website for a statement on its values, mission and vision, and consider whether or not they’re aligned to yours.
• Performance. Read up on the performance of a company and its financial health, by looking for any published financial statements and reports.
• Products. Learn more about the products that this company offers through its website, press releases, and digital brochures.
• Culture. Take an in-depth look at the culture of that company and what its employees and the community interaction around it looks like, through social media.
• Employees. Find out who are the current and previous employees of that specific company and go through their CVs, to figure out what skills and qualifications they have and how yours compare.

Update Your CV

Make sure that your CV is always updated and is written to present you as the innovative professional that you are. At your level of professional expertise, the job seekers that you'll be competing with for any position will have a lot of achievements and rich expertise in the field. So, your CV and cover letter will need to impress hiring managers. Focus on your most recent work experience, and make sure you include selected achievements only for your C-level CV.

Don’t hesitate to seek out the assistance of a professional CV writing service. Our Bayt.com CV writing experts have worked with thousands of senior-level professionals in the region. Their insights on the job market and knowledge of the most attractive keywords is exactly the kind of assistance you need to showcase your CV.

Clean Up Your Social Media Profiles

By now, it is a well-known fact that one of the steps that hiring managers are taking nowadays in their shortlisting process is to go through the social media profiles of the job applicants. For that reason, ensure that your profiles look professional and that delete anything that you don’t want a future employer to see.

Seek Out Different Channels to Apply for Jobs
If you are only using a single channel to apply for jobs, you will be limiting your chances of getting noticed by hiring managers. To achieve the highest level of success, use a multi-channel approach. Your first channel should be job sites such as Bayt.com, which currently has more than 45,000 jobs in the MENA region. Browse through the job openings that are of interest to you and apply for the ones that you think you are qualified for.

Another easy way of increasing your chances of finding great job opportunities is through networking. If you still haven’t yet, start working on building and growing your professional network (in-person and online) and make it clear that you are aiming for a career change, and that you’re welcome to any recommendation for suitable positions. Bear in mind that your network isn't only the people you have met face to face.

Prepare for the Interview

Preparing for senior-level interviews requires a candidate to promote their personal leadership style and overall professional brand while addressing questions about industry knowledge, skill, insight, and experience. Forget questions that are commonly asked during an interview regarding information that is typically found in a CV, and be ready to answer probing and behavioral questions like:

• How would you describe your leadership style, and how has that style worked in previous positions?
• Why do you want to be part of the X industry?
• Describe a situation where you were part of a failed program or project. How did you react?
• Give me an example of a change you’ve encountered. How did you adapt?
• Tell me about a time when you had to go above and beyond the call of duty to get a job done.
• How do you promote collaboration between the C-level executives and other employees?
• What is the toughest decision you’ve ever had to make?
  

Take Stock of Your Performance

If you find that you’re applying to countless jobs but aren’t hearing back, or you’re landing a lot of interviews with no offers, then it’s time you reflect on your strategy and reconsider your approach. Is there something that you’re doing that could be hindering your success? Start by taking a critical look at your CV and consult professionals, seek feedback on interviews from the hiring managers, etc. Understand which one of your tactics isn’t working and how you can improve on it.

Remember that job hunting isn’t easy and so you will need to be patient and trust the process. Set realistic benchmarks to help keep you on track and don’t lose your motivation during this uncertain period.