Career Center

Louise Kursmark, executive career coach, resume writer and Director of BlueSteps Executive Career Services (BECS), recently asked members of The Executive Search Network on LinkedIn, 'What are your biggest candidate turn-offs?' Read on below to see what executive search professionals had to share with executives regarding making search firm connections.

Experience managing P&L has become an increasingly desired skill sought by executive recruiters when searching for executive candidates. The ability to successfully decrease costs while increasing revenues is obviously a talent any company would find attractive in a candidate under any conditions, but one that becomes even more crucial in prolonged periods of recession or instability. In times like these, executives who spotlight their background in P&L management--in their resume/CV, online profiles, and networking opportunities--will gain a considerable edge in the eyes of executive recruiters, and at the same time, it just may enhance an executive's chances of securing the deal during a job interview.

Making yourself visible to executive search firms and executive recruiters is a positive way to advance your career to the next level.

Whether in an active job search or just proactively managing your career progression, building relationships with retained executive search consultants is an essential element to a successful career strategy. BlueSteps, the executive career management service of the global Association of Executive Search Consultants (AESC), recommends that executives establish a system of targeted outreach to search consultants who work within their own specific function, industry, and region. Sending a mass email to all the consultants you can find is strongly discouraged, and will very quickly place you on the consultant's list of executives who do not fully understand the retained search process.

Provide this brochure to clients prior to beginning the interview process. The brochure examines the basis of the interview process, including a discussion of the most common interviewing errors. The closing section provides a library of questions to be used in interviews.

Provide this booklet to candidates prior to beginning the interview process. This booklet outlines a disciplined approach to help the most qualified candidates enter and conquer the interview process.

You have made it to a phone interview for what will hopefully be the next positive step in your career. Interviews can be nerve-racking experiences; however, they need not be if you prepare yourself in the right way. Below are a few key tips that will help you prepare, putting you on the best path for interview success.

You have made it to interview for what will hopefully be the next exciting step in your career. Interviews can be nerve-racking experiences, however they need not be if you prepare yourself in the right way. Below are a few key tips that will help you prepare, setting you on the path to interview success.