Posted by Are you looking to move from the US to the UK? There are lots of reasons to make the move, be it a change of pace, starting a new adventure, enjoying other cultures, or finding better opportunities. However, whatever your reason is, you need to find a good job to support your lifestyle in the new country. The good news is that there are several job opportunities in the UK, including Interim Executive Roles. However, unlike traditional jobs, these C-Suite jobs are highly competitive and might require a little more effort to land one. However, if you know how to go about it, finding the perfect C-Suite job in the UK will not be that hard.
If you are currently planning to move from the US to the UK, below is a look at some top tips on how to land a C-Suite job. I learnt these tips from one of the best executive recruitment firms in the UK, Stone Executive.
- Make yourself visible on LinkedIn and other social sites
When it comes to executive jobs, you cannot rely on adverts and applications to land one. Instead, you must leverage other tools that are used by employers and recruiters to find candidates for C-suite jobs. One of the top recruitment tools can help, read more at: https://www.cmswire.com/digital-workplace/how-social-media-gives-recruiters-the-edge-in-the-search-for-top-talent/ for these positions is social media; recruiters and employers scour through online profiles looking for the best candidates with the skills and qualifications they need.
Therefore, if you are looking to land a C-suite job in the UK, one of the first thing you will need to do is increase your visibility on social media. This means creating and updating your social media profiles so that they are attractive, compelling, and professional looking. They should also be fully detailed, listing your qualifications, skills, and job history. LinkedIn is one of the best places to start, but you can also use other platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Google+ and others.
In addition to being “seen” on these social platforms, you must also be “heard”. This means engaging with other people in the job market, be they top companies and organization you would like to work for/admire, other executives, other job candidates, recruiters, and so on. You can also post and/or comment on subjects that you are qualified on, and publish papers, articles, blogs, and work samples. Doing this will go a long way in showing potential employers and recruiters that you have what they are looking for.
- Network with people
More often than not, C-suite job positions are not advertised publicly. Instead, employers and recruiters use techniques such as industry networks to find the best candidates. Networking is thus one of the top strategies that can help you land a C-suite job, as it can put you on the radar of recruiters and potential employers.
For a successful outcome, you need to start your networking efforts by identifying the right persons. These can be recruiters, experts in the industry you work in, colleagues, friends and acquaintances, former bosses, potential employers, etc. Basically, you need to engage with people who have connections to the job position(s) you are looking to land, whether directly or indirectly.
Another way you can network is by attending industry events and becoming an active participant. Examples include conferences, seminars, job fairs, webinars, and so on. During these events, not only will you come across connected professional contacts, but you can also become noticed by recruiters and potential employers. Here are some tips on doiing this effectively: https://www.themuse.com/advice/9-tips-for-navigating-your-first-networking-event.
- Update Your Resume
Your old resume might have landed you a job, but getting a boardroom job might be much harder. Therefore, in the process of planning your move, one of the things you should take care of is updating your resume. Make sure that it is up-to-date; listing all of your skills, qualifications, and job history.
On top of that, it should be compelling and be able to communicate important aspects of your professional life such as who you are, what you are looking for, and what you can offer. In case you are finding it difficult to update and “flavor” your resume, you can hire a professional to write it for you, as suggested by the Guardian here: https://jobs.theguardian.com/article/should-you-pay-someone-to-write-your-cv-/.
Aside from updating your resume, you should also make sure that it is visible to recruiters and potential employers. You can achieve this by posting it on your social profiles and sharing with your contacts.
- Get in touch with executive recruitment firms
When most organizations are looking to recruit talent for C-Suite positions, they usually use executive search firms, for example: https://www.stoneexecutive.co.uk/executive-opportunities. And while headhunters can find you through your online profiles and networks, that is not always the case; with so many candidates in the market, they can easily pass you over. Therefore, getting in touch with headhunting firms is a great idea when you are looking to and a boardroom job, especially one that is abroad.
Before making your move, research the top headhunting firms in the UK and connect with them. Engage with them and let them know that you are looking for a job. Some firms will even accept CV submissions from job candidates, so be sure to take advantage of this opportunity.
- Consider all opportunities
The fierce competition for C-suite job positions means that it might take you a longer period to land a job. Sometimes, the job you land may not be exactly what you dreamt of. For example, you might want a position in a large corporation but find one in a small organization. When this happens, it might be tempting to pass on the offer in the hope of landing a better one soon. However, it is a good idea to consider all positions.
Even if you get offered a consulting gig, it will help to bridge the employment gap, and at the same time, increase your skills. You will also get to earn some money to support your lifestyle, and ensure that you do not run out of your savings, which is a possibility after an abroad move.
Conclusion
Moving from the US to the UK can be a daunting experience, especially when you have to worry about finding a new job. However, with the help of the tips above, you can be able to land a perfect C-Suite job. You just need to remember that the perfect position might take some time and quite a bit of effort on your part.