Avoiding Common Blunders Will Help Job Seekers Benefit From An Improving Employment Market

Despite the recent seasonal slowdown in hiring, recruiters expect the executive employment market to continue its comeback as summer comes to a close and companies start planning for the year ahead.

According to a recent survey of 147 executive recruiters conducted by ExecuNet, an executive career network, the executive search industry is anticipating a 17% increase in the number of assignments it receives from clients during the next six months.

ìThe employment marketís recovery slowed in the summer, which is not at all unusual,î says Dave Opton, CEO and Founder of ExecuNet. ìAs we leave the summer behind, recruiters are encouraged by what theyíre hearing from clients and growing more optimistic about the months ahead, which is great news for anyone looking to change jobs.î

To generate more interviews and offers as the job market gains strength, ExecuNet suggests executives avoid these three common mistakes:

1. Overlooking The Importance Of Constant Networking

According to a recent survey conducted by ExecuNet, 41% of executives secured their most recent job through networking, 26% were recruited by a search firm (often as a result of networking), 9% through an Internet job posting, and 9% via an internal promotion.

Itís no coincidence that the people who always seem to be in the right place at the right time are usually the best networkers. If you are not constantly building a network of professionals both inside and outside of your current company, and in the search industry, youíll miss opportunities and your job search will be prolonged.

If you find it difficult to build relationships with professionals outside of your existing circle of friends and colleagues, join an organization that offers opportunities to strengthen and develop your network.

2. Interviewing Without Sufficient Insight

Some of the best advice available on an executive-level job search is summed up in the words of Louis Pasteur, ìchance favors the prepared mind.î

Before interviewing with an organization, learn as much as possible about the challenges it is facing. The Internet has made finding this information easier than ever. Other helpful sources include your personal contacts, including your stockbroker who has access to industry and company research, and industry trade magazines. To help put your findings into perspective, research the company’s leading competitors with an eye toward identifying key similarities and differences.

Companies want to hire people who are prepared to solve their problems. Demonstrating uncommon knowledge about a potential employer or its competitors during an interview will help you distinguish yourself from a field of other candidates.

3. Spending Most Of Your Time Searching The Internet

While many executive-level jobs are posted on the Internet, putting all of your eggs in this one basket is a costly mistake. In todayís competitive market, a successful job search requires an approach that includes multiple strategies and extends far beyond replying to job listings online.

To generate more interviews and ultimately land the job you want, develop a plan that incorporates extensive networking, focused outreach to targeted companies and recruiters, participation in professional organizations and trade associations, and using the Internet to identify new opportunities.

For more information on executive job search strategies and avoiding other common blunders, visit www.execunet.com.

ExecuNet, a career management and recruiting resource center for executives and recruiters, is a recognized authority in executive career and recruiting trends. It helps members identify career opportunities and attain professional success by providing exclusive job postings, opportunities and tactics designed to expand personal and professional networks, and career advancement strategies.

Founded in 1988, ExecuNet also serves recruiters and corporations as a leading source of top-tier executive talent and proprietary research. For more information on ExecuNet visit www.execunet.com