An Executive’s Mini-Guide to Strategic Career Transitions: The Culture Blindspot

I keep on talking about career transitions, because I keep on getting asked how to perform them.

Not sure what it is...

Have my thoughts though. People are seeing perceived instability.

The stakes are higher than ever for executives seeking to make significant career transitions.

The pyramid is real. Like some say "it gets lonely at the top".

Still at higher levels of the executive pyramid, I see a lot of emphasis focused on the resume, instead of themselves and their professional self-image.

Seem like the reality is far more nuanced. So let's go into it together

The Misconception

The notion that a resume alone will secure your ideal role is one of the biggest misconceptions in the job search process.

Yes, it is important to have a resume that commands solid expertise, but at the end of the day it's a roadmap to navigate conversations - to start conversations.

A marketing vehicle.

That's pretty much it.

What you have to think is more like "What happens after your resume lands on the desk?". When it lands for 13 seconds on the eye of someone that is looking to solve business problems.

The truth is, if you’re doing what everyone else is, you’ll blend in with the crowd.

Instead, do this above - start thinking this way and let your actions stem from here.

This is how you'll truly stand out.

By giving swift compelling reasons based on genuine actions so they can see you as the obvious choice before you even step into an interview.

This is where the art of “congruent pre-suasion” comes into play.

The Power of Congruent Pre-Suasion

Congruent pre-suasion is the process of aligning your self-image with the persona you present to potential employers.

It’s about crafting a narrative that positions you as the perfect fit for the role—before you even meet the hiring manager.

This subtle yet powerful approach can give you a significant upper hand in the interview process.

You'll show up as passionate. Genuine.

Unique.

Consider this story of one of my clients, Todd.

A seasoned finance professional with +20 years of experience.

After a successful run in stable roles, he decided to take a leap of faith by joining a small growing corporation. Unfortunately, the move didn’t pan out as expected.

The company’s funding fell through, and he found himself in a precarious situation, navigating the challenges of a role that didn’t align with his strengths.

Learning from Setbacks

Todd's experience is a reminder that even seasoned professionals can face setbacks in their careers.

However, it’s not the setback itself that defines your career trajectory—it’s how you respond to it that will earn you respect and growth.

In Todd's case, he recognized that his value wasn’t being fully utilized in his role, and he needed to realign himself with a position that leveraged his full expertise and allowed him to continue growing.

In our work together, we focused on identifying his ideal job and culture.

One that would allow him to apply his expertise in a meaningful way while also providing a stable and rewarding environment.

This process involved not only a reassessment of his career goals but also a strategic approach to positioning himself as a candidate of choice in the market.

The Importance of Self-Reflection

One of the key takeaways from Todd's journey is the importance of self-reflection.

It’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day grind and lose sight of what truly matters to you in your career.

But by taking the time to reflect on your strengths, values, and long-term goals, you can ensure that your next move is not just a job, but a strategic step toward your ideal career.

At The End - You Need To Take Action

If you find yourself in a similar situation—feeling under-utilized, undervalued, or simply ready for a change—it’s time to take action.

Don’t let a challenging experience dictate your career’s direction. Instead, use it as an opportunity to realign and refocus your efforts on what truly matters.

You owe it to yourself.

-Gonzalo

#careerstrategy #interviews #personaldevelopment #emotionalintelligence