How To Run Your Executive Job Search Like A Marketing Campaign

Q: How is a job search campaign different from a task list?

A task list tracks what you did. A campaign also defines what you want each activity to accomplish. For a networking conversation, that outcome could be helping someone understand your value well enough to describe it to another person.

Q: Should I ask my contacts about job openings?

You can, but do not make the presence of an opening your only measure of a useful conversation. Make sure the person understands the work you do and the value you bring.

Q: Is asking for another introduction enough?

It can be a useful question. First, make your message clear enough that the person knows how to introduce you and what to say about you.

Q: Do I need to finish my resume before I start?

For my challenge in this video, no. Start by listing five people to speak with this week. Avoid using another round of resume or LinkedIn edits to delay those conversations.

Run your executive job search around outcomes, not a list of tasks. This week, identify five people you could speak with and decide what you want each person to understand about your leadership value. A useful conversation leaves them able to describe what you do to someone else, even when you are not in the room.
I’m Lisa Rangel, founder of Chameleon Resumes and a former executive search recruiter. I see executives spend hours polishing their materials while putting off the conversations that could help other people understand and communicate their value. A task completed is not necessarily a search advanced.

What makes a job search a campaign?

A task list says, “Contact five people.” A campaign asks, “What should those five people understand after we speak?”

That difference changes how you prepare. Before each conversation, get clear on the kind of work you want to do and the value you bring to it. Your goal is to explain that value in a sentence or two the other person can remember and repeat.

If you need a broader starting point, my guide to starting an executive job search can help you think through the search itself.

What outcome should you aim for in a networking conversation?

You can ask whether someone knows of an opening. You can ask whom else you should speak with. That second question may move the conversation further. But there is another outcome I want you to pursue: Can this person explain what you do to someone who might need it?

Keep your message short and specific. As a working exercise, try this:

“I help [type of organization] achieve [business outcome] through [your leadership strength].”

That sentence is a drafting tool, not a script to recite. Make it accurate to your experience, and use language the person you are speaking with would naturally use. Then pay attention to what they understood. Could they describe your value to another decision maker?

For more on communicating your value across the search, see The Ultimate Executive Job Search Guide

What should you do this week?

Build a list of five people you could speak with. For each person, write down:

Why a conversation with them makes sense.
What you want them to understand about your work.
The one or two sentences you would use to explain it.

Then start the conversations. Do not spend this week rebuilding your resume or tweaking your LinkedIn profile instead of making the list. Your documents matter, but the action I am challenging you to take here is getting clear on your message and talking to people.

If you want additional job search resources as you build your campaign, explore Chameleon Resumes’ free tools

FAQ

How is a job search campaign different from a task list?

Should I ask my contacts about job openings?

Is asking for another introduction enough?

Do I need to finish my resume before I start?

Your next step

Write down five names and the message you want each person to take away. If this advice is useful, subscribe to my video channel for more executive job search guidance.

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About Chameleon Resumes

The Chameleon Resumes team, led by CEO Lisa Rangel, stands out as the premier executive resume writing, LinkedIn profile development, and job landing consultancy. Lisa Rangel is an executive marketing expert and resume writer who helps VP and C-suite leaders market themselves into the roles they want. As the only firm hired by LinkedIn and recognized by Forbes in this space, we bring unparalleled expertise to your career advancement journey. Our proprietary 4-Stage META Job Landing System™ is the culmination of decades of corporate and executive recruiting and executive resume writing experience. This proven methodology is designed to position you strategically for your next 6- or 7-figure role, ensuring you stand out in a competitive job market.