By Jeff Altman, Big Game Hunter
EP 3098 Overlooked Strategies for Senior Leaders.
24 hour rule
So you’re a senior executive and you’re looking for a job and it feels like you’ve hit a wall, right? Well, what if I told you there’s a powerful, somewhat overlooked strategy for finding your next big role? In this explanation, we’ll unlock what is essentially a C-suite gold mine that, trust me, will completely change the way you think about your next career move. Well, let me ask you this. Does this sound familiar? You’re the lead this season, right? You have an amazing record of success, but your job search is in trouble.
is neutral. You browse the same old job boards, have the same conversations with recruiters, and you wonder, where are the real opportunities hiding? Believe me, this is a very common frustration among people at the top. That’s the secret.
A big reason why you feel this way is because the absolute best, most game-changing C-suite jobs are never posted online. Seriously. They exist in this hidden job market that you can’t access through traditional means.
So let’s face it. If you only focus on what’s publicly posted, you’re missing out on your biggest and best opportunities. So let’s break it down.
What’s the biggest difference between the standard way of doing things and this new way? Well, that’s the big shift from being passive to being super, super proactive. I mean, look at the difference here. It’s day and night.
Old school, it’s just a numbers game, right? You’re basically in a competition with hundreds of other people, just reacting to the work that’s already out there, but this hidden market, it’s a whole different ball game. This is not about applying for a job at all. It’s about positioning themselves as the person they’re calling before they write the job description.
It’s about getting in at the bottom and building those relationships that really create opportunity. OK So where is this magical hidden market? Where do you find it? Well, that brings us to what the source material calls an “executive’s gold mine.”
Okay, here it is. The gold mine is private equity, you know, private equity and venture capital or venture capital firms. Think about it now.
Executive Playbook: C Suite Transition
These companies do more than just write checks. never. They are actively building and transforming their businesses.
What do they need to achieve this? All companies in their portfolio are in constant need of top management talent. So what makes them such a gold mine? A few key reasons. First, they manage these large portfolios of companies.
They are always looking to bring in new leaders or upgrade existing teams. It’s just part of their business model. Second, and most importantly, they almost never use public job sites.
They just don’t have time to listen to the noise. They are based on trust. They hire people they already know or are recommended by people they trust.
It’s basically a closed loop system where you want to be. Okay, we’ve got the what and why. Now comes the fun part.
Let’s see how. I’m talking about a clear three-step action plan that you can actually use to start digging into this gold mine. When you break it down, it’s actually a pretty simple process.
Just three steps. The first step is identification. You have to find a PE or VC firm whose investment thesis is there.
It’s just a fancy way of saying that the types of companies they invest in match your experience. Step two, reach out. You will contact their Talent Partner or Operations Partner directly.
Forget HR. Finally, the third step is communication. This is where you share your value and gain access to what they call a trusted talent pool.
The whole idea is to get their attention before they get a job for you. So when you reach out, what do you actually say? This part is absolutely critical. Please don’t just send a generic resume.
You have to be specific. We’re talking about hard metrics, your actual career impact. You need to tell them exactly what kind of company excites you and point out the situations in which you would do best.
Uncover toxic C Suite jobs before it’s too late
Are you an entrepreneur, turnaround expert, high-growth leader? This is what they need to know where you fit. This brings us to the final piece of the puzzle. Honestly, this is probably the most important part.
This whole strategy is not just a strategy that you try once. This is a complete mindset shift. The source material just nails it with this sentence.
It’s all about relationships. That’s it. That’s the whole game.
This is not about a job application. It’s about becoming a known, trusted person in their world. When the right opportunity arises, you want to be their go-to leader.
That’s really the key takeaway here. You see, this is a long-term game. There may not be a return this week or even this month.
Did you know? That’s totally fine. The real goal is to build those relationships before you actually need them. You are sowing the seeds for your future.
Think of it less like a job search and more like long-term strategic career management. So I’m going to leave you with a question to think about. Take a closer look at your network.
Is it just the asset that got you your last job? Or is it a living, breathing thing that you are actively building, creating opportunities for your next move and the moves after that? The gold mine must be out there. Now you know where to look.
I was interviewing for a job and noticed it had been reposted
About Big Game Hunter Jeff Altman
People hire “Big Game Hunter” Jeff Altman to provide no-nonsense career advice around the world because he makes so many things in people’s careers easier. Those ones Matters may involve job search, recruiting more effectively, managing and leading better, career transition, and advice on solving workplace problems.
He is the producer and former host of “No BS Job Search Advice Radio,” the #1 job search podcast on iTunes with over 3,000 episodes. 
How to thrive in your career if you have a disability
You’ll find important information to help you with your job search on my new website, Job Hunting.Community In addition to video courses, books, and guides, I answer members’ questions about their job search every day. Leave your job search questions and I will respond every day. Becoming an Insider+ member gives you everything you get as an Insider+ member, plus you can connect with me via Zoom call to get your questions answered. Become an Insider Premium member and we offer individual and group coaching.
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