- Focus on networking with people you don't know as quickly as possible. During the first month of a search, contact a minimum of 50 "warm" contacts, those you know and with whom you are comfortable. After the first month, network to at least 100 new contacts every month.
- Search for interim roles when you begin your search. Up to 40 percent of the time, interim roles lead to full-time positions. When you work on an interim/consulting basis, you and the company become so comfortable with each other that a full-time position is often created.
- Target smaller companies. Research Dun & Bradstreet, Moody's Million Dollar Directory, Standard and Poor's, Hoover's and other websites for valuable smaller company information. The reference section at public libraries provides access to these resources, sometimes for free.
- Identify underperforming companies. A significant portion of competition for jobs comes from working executives. During a weak economy, they are less inclined to move to a struggling company which carries greater risk. Therefore, there is less competition for these jobs.
- Spend less than 10 percent of the time contacting and working with recruiters. Executive job seekers are advised to limit their involvement to those recruiters they have retained in the past or are referred to them by close friends and colleagues. Even recruiters themselves acknowledge the limitations of obtaining an executive position by relying too heavily on search firms, because recruiters only account for about 10 percent of all executive hires.
- Allocate no more than five percent of your search effort responding to published job leads and Internet postings. Responses should only be made to opportunities which closely match your skills and experience. Thousands of individuals see these opportunities, dramatically increasing competition and reducing the odds of securing the position. Be sure you are a "best fit" for a published/posted opening.
Source: Gordon Boardway
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