How To Find Your Next Job

This article was inspired by a conversation I had last week with a Senior Executive looking for a new role. He mentioned one company that would be of interest and shared he knew one of the senior leaders who’d recently left. They'd worked together previously and he'd consistently outperformed him in every area. Every area apart from one. The area he loses out in was ‘getting the next job’! He’d noticed that his former colleague was always networking towards his next role and was very good at it. The guy on the phone - a truly superb executive - acknowledged it wasn’t his strong point and believed in focussing on the job he was doing right now, as a result there's been more friction when moving.

In short, getting a new job is a particular skillset - distinct from your actual job. This is the reality for everyone. Think it’s easy for the C-Suite? Think you’ll get job offers all the time after you get that next promotion? I hate to burst your bubble but the person in the little story above has averaged over €1m a year for the past decade and collected a good amount stock on top of that. He’s truly world class at what he does.

I can’t make it easy but here is some of the advice I’ve shared over the years.

1.???? Know yourself

I’m not a believer in epiphanies. I think they mostly happen in movies. If you are a believer, I’m happy for you but your employer (or future employer) is probably not interested in hearing about you truly found yourself whilst scuba diving during your summer holiday.

That being said, take some practical steps to understand what you want to do and even more importantly how you provide value. Start with writing down what you actually do. Not what your official job description is but so a 10 year old would understand it. I recently had a conversation with a very bright, highly educated, very successful sales executive. His clarity of thought was obvious. I commented on it and he replied, “most people in sales are muggle headed about what they are doing, I am not.” An Oxbridge education is not mandatory, but clarity of purpose will improve your career – and life – exponentially.

Make an effort to know what you are and what you want. I often advise people to start by writing a list of the things that colleagues have asked you for help with. Continue onto what you like/dislike in your current role and company, what your ideal colleagues would look like, what value you provide, what skills and experience will be valuable to another employer. Also think seriously about what your wider mission is. Another five years of this before moving abroad or working until the children are out of university. Get clearer on the ‘why’.

Be realistic, there will be compromises. Figure out your priorities early. Travel? Money? Change of direction??

2. God of the Gaps

You’re probably familiar with this expression. It’s where gaps in scientific knowledge get highlighted to support the existence of God. Where am I going with this? Let me try and explain, I always encourage people to think of their personal career journey because when I’m interviewing people the gold is often in the gaps.

I want to know the circumstances around why you left and joined a business. Were you the last person standing after 4 rounds of redundancies? Did your boss bring you along because you were so valuable? Have you followed your boss to a new business more than once? Were you misled on an opportunity and had to leave quickly?

Be able to explain the transitions. These ‘gaps’ between roles often say more about you and your career than anything else. A good interviewer will be listening closely.

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3. Target Jobs & Companies Strategically

Get serious and get methodical. Make a list of companies who are most likely to benefit from your expertise, they will usually be in your sector and often competitors. Then use the company website, google and Linkedin to compile a list of people who would be your manager at these companies.

If you’re looking to change direction in your career, take a look at the book Pivot by Jenny Blake. 99% of what I do is find people who are already doing what my client wants them for and this article is probably not for you.

4. Network, Network and Network!

First, meet two or three people for coffee who’s career advice you trust and listen to what they have to say. Next, approach the people on the target company list you prepared. Don’t be afraid to pick the phone up and call their company and ask to be put through. Many hiring managers – even if they aren’t hiring – will be delighted to know you’d be interested. Linkedin is also a good channel for direct approaches, they’d rather hear from you than yet another recruiter! The goal is not just to send a CV and cover letter the goal is to properly introduce yourself. Specifically ask for a quick call to get properly introduced. When you speak, treat it like an informal interview.

Develop a list of contacts who can introduce you to opportunities or provides referrals and get along to relevant professional events and when you’re there, be social and aim to be helpful to the people you speak with.

Recruitment consultants can be useful. If you are aware of good ones who specialise in your sector contact them and try to meet with them. Honestly, I can tell you more about someone I interviewed in Frankfurt two years ago than I can about any of the fifteen people I spoke with on the phone today.

If nothing else, realise this; Having your CV on file with HR should not be your goal! Your actual goal is speaking with and meeting people who you'd actually be reporting to and keep a simple spreadsheet of your progress.

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5. Customize Your Job Search Materials

There is a good chance that whatever you send just get’s filed away. If you’ve made the effort to customise then you’re more likely to gain attention. Make sure you tailor resumes and cover letters and avoid generic templates. Reflect the employer’s needs by highlighting relevant accomplishments and skills. You should absolutely use ChatGPT to help you. Most people hate writing their CV and this will really help. Focus on Accomplishments. Use measurable results and specifics (e.g., "increased sales by 20%").

6. Prepare for Interviews

• Research Thoroughly: Understand the company, role, and challenges they face.
• Practice STAR Technique: Use the Situation, Task, Action, Result format to answer questions concisely and persuasively.
• Prepare Questions: Demonstrate genuine interest by asking insightful questions about the role and company.

All three of these areas as important as each other. Work hard to prepare for the interview! This is what all the hard work has been for, don't sabotage your hard work by not preparing.

7. Be Proactive and Persistent

A long time ago, back when I advertised for positions, I was getting a lot of calls for a role and because I was young and stupid they were a nuisance. I already had several good candidates and wanted to get on with sending them over and booking interviews. However, one candidate kept calling me, after several attempts we finally spoke. You know whats coming don’t you? He was great and ended up getting the job. Thankfully the candidate persisted.

You have to take the initiative, follow up on applications and interviews, send thank you notes expressing your interest and reinforcing your qualifications and why you’d be a good fit. You will need to be resilient. You’re going to hear no when you really want a yes. Get on to the next one but stay in touch, things can change quickly.

Here is another real life story I’d like to share from interviewing a VP of Europe at a large Software Business. He’d doubted himself in the early part of his career even though he'd always been top salesperson and progressed quickly. However, this was in small family-owned businesses and he wondered whether he could cut it in the corporate world. So, one day he quit and drove directly to the office of a large multinational IT business and phoned them from the car park! He refused to leave until they interviewed him. He got hired. He has since been very successful at multiple large international businesses but is still driven by the same insecurity, not that you’d know it – he’s likable and brilliant! (Conversations with people like this are the highlight of my job).

8. Lifelong Learning

I mean this in a very general sense but is there a specific qualification that would help you? If there is, this is your sign to get on with it. I had a candidate a couple of years ago who just missed out on a CRO role. He was devastated. He'd lost out to another candidate with stronger knowledge in a particular area. Rejection motivated him to complete a relevant course at a top University. It certainly hasn’t harmed his career!

9. Balance Financial Needs and Fulfilment

Ensure the role meets your financial requirements while also providing satisfaction and meaning.

Be honest with yourself before you have to be honest with someone else. I’ve lost count of the times people have said that money is not important to them. They are especially likely to say this when they want to do something a little bit different. I always reply by asking if they’d be willing to take a pay cut. They rarely are.

I hope this has been helpful and welcome comments and questions.

About the author

Bruce Wright is the founder and Managing Director of Pathfinder Executive Search Ltd and has over 20 years Recruiting, Staffing and Executive Search experience. He has been helping Software and Technology companies find senior level executives and helping build world class teams around the World since 2003. Unlike many Executive Search Professionals who claim to work across borders, he really has placed Senior Professionals with Software companies all over the World. Often working across borders simultaneously for the same client – this generates a synergy that makes for truly outstanding results. He's also a committed endurance athlete who has participated in challenges around the world, including the infamous Marathon des Sables, Ironman and the magical Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.