New Year, New Start - top tips for securing your perfect role
By Jo Brough
The time between Christmas and New Year is our busiest here at Suzie Walker Executive Search, when candidates express an interest in their next career move and companies sign off on new strategies and budgets. It’s a time to reflect, take stock and plan for the year ahead. The executive recruitment market has been particularly active this year and we predict this will continue throughout 2022.
So, why not take this time to get yourself ready for the New Year? Here are some top tips from Jo Brough, Director at Suzie Walker Executive Search – an expert in identifying well-matched candidates and supporting them through the interview process.
1. Identify your passions
Make a list of what companies you would like to work for, what you have to offer them and how you would fit perfectly in their company culture. What are you passionate about? How can you ensure growth and effect positive change? If you feel passionate about what you’re applying, that passion will show.
2. Revitalise your online presence
Do you have a presence on platforms most relevant to your sector? Are you active on LinkedIn? Get set up, develop your personal brand – use this time to take a headshot using the Portrait setting on your smartphone – and remember that recruiters use keywords to find their perfect candidates, so make sure they’re included in your profile description and skills section.
Start connecting with people of influence – like, share and comment on posts to show you’re engaged. Consider sharing your own professional updates too - any events you have attended or projects you’re proud of.
Whatever you do, keep your activity professional and positive.
3. Update your CV
Don’t just dust off your old one, make a new one that shines. Does your personal brand complement the company’s brand? This is your opportunity to align yourself stylistically through fonts, colours and content - your experience, skills and values. Your CV should be clear, concise and relevant to the roles you want to apply for, and it shouldn’t be more than two sides of A4.
4. Register with an executive search firm
And not just any executive search firm! Find recruiters that best represent your sector, whether that’s a large agency or a specialist boutique search firm. Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing, data, digital and tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Interim executive roles are hugely popular in these changing times and you can find out more about the process here. Keep an eye on Suzie Walker Executive Search’s LinkedIn page too, where you can express your interest in advertised roles.
“I honestly don’t think I can recommend Suzie highly enough; she and her team are a joy to work with. From innovative chemistry sessions to get to know candidates on multiple levels, which ensure the best cultural, technical and character matches, to first rate endorsement and support throughout the recruitment and interview phases, as well as further ongoing support as needed once in role... Suzie has built a solid and well-rounded executive search business, and ever since she first placed me in role, she is my first port of call if I’m ever in market.”
4. Start researching and preparing for interviews
When you’re matched with a role and an interview is arranged, start researching the company, culture and role in as much depth as possible. What unique experience and skills do you bring to the role?
If your interview is virtual on a platform like Teams or Zoom, make sure you have a private and tidy environment with good broadband connection, and think about your backdrop – first impressions count.
If your interview is via telephone, make sure your connection is clear and without any background noise.
For in-person interviews, start thinking about how you'll get there in plenty of time - the last thing you want is to arrive feeling flustered.
5. Pick and prepare your outfit for virtual or in-person interviews
Pick and prepare your outfit in plenty of time, and don’t wear something new – your clothes should be clean and comfortable but also feel like you. To look ‘put together’, stick to two or three colours and wear layers in case the room is hot or cold - that’s when a shirt/blouse/dress and jacket combination comes in handy.
6. Prepare some answers for classic questions
We have all heard them:
Tell us a bit about yourself
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
Why are you right for this role?
Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?
Start practicing your responses and keep them authentic. Be passionate about your sector and show ambitions that fit around the organisation – and, if you need a sounding-board, just give us a call.
Stay tuned for more articles on how to find your perfect role in the weeks ahead.
We wish you all a happy, healthy and successful New Year.
Jo is a Director at Suzie Walker Executive Search and frequently recruits for Interim Head of Marketing, Head of Business Intelligence, Performance Marketing Director, Interim Marketing Director; Interim Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Digital Officer and Chief Technology Officer roles. Jo identifies well-matched candidates, reviewing responses to job vacancies and arranging interviews. She is renowned for her high level of customer service, delivering a timely, honest and respectful level of support.
Connect with/send a message to Jo on LinkedIn
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing, data, digital and tech roles in FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
