An Executive Seeking A Different Opportunity Needs Patience

Patience in the Process; Clarity in Your Goals. When you are a seasoned executive looking to move on, there may be a pot of gold waiting for you at the end of a rainbow, but you need to be patient until the right opportunity presents itself. I don't mean to suggest that you should wait until an opportunity comes to you, rather that you need to have stamina during your search. Sometimes it takes years to find the right fit. And, you need to have clarity in regard to what it will take for you to change positions, because negotiating the deal is as important as getting the offer. Below are a few anecdotes where patience and perseverance were victorious.

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1. Four years ago, I began working with an executive at the director level of an international company. After being passed over more than once for several Vice President positions, he began looking elsewhere. I revised his resume several times in three years. Unfortunately, he couldn't land a job that would provide stability for himself and his family. He faced signficant rejection and was demoralized each time he wasn't selected as "the candidate." He remained with his company and continued to pursue other opportunities. This November, he finally landed a new position - at the VP level of another international company!
2. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of revising the resume of a senior hospital administrator. His background and experience were extremely impressive. He wasn't really looking for a new position, but an executive search firm had contacted him about an interesting position out of state. After learning more about the position, he withdrew his name from consideration and remained content in his position. Recently, he was contacted again by another executive search firm and sent his resume right away. It looks like he is poised to land the coveted executive position, but he said it will have to be something special for him to leave his position.
3. In the summer of 2006, I wrote a resume for a talented business executive at the Vice President level of a sports organization who was being courted by a couple of other franchises. He came close to accepting an offer at the President level of a larger sports organization, but his instincts during the negotiation process told him it was not the right fit for him. He remained with his team. Then, about a month ago, he accepted the COO position of another sports franchise. He will do wonderful things for the organization, and I will be routing for the team with a big smile.

Whether you are a senior executive or a newer employee, patience in the process will serve you well. And, doing your research and other due diligence about the new opportunity should help you make an informed decision about your future.

Randi S. Lewis, Founder, Resume Boutique LLC, http://www.resumeboutique.com/

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