Make a “Wish List” of Target Companies

When you lay out your executive job search strategy, make a list of companies you would like to work for in the future.  Research each one – company culture, brands, strategy, key people, recent news, financial performance.  Aim to deeply understand the company, and the department, division, or business unit you are targeting.  This will help you determine who you need to meet, and lend you credibility during the interview process.

Network Online and Offline

A referral by an employee is still one of the most effective ways to land an interview, and a job.  If you don’t know anyone at a company, start networking – online and offline.  Check out LinkedIn company pages and Facebook groups, and connect with college alumni who work for the company.  Don’t be afraid to contribute to conversations on LinkedIn, and in the process, make valuable connections that might lead to an employee referral.  Join professional organizations, groups, and workshops where you might make in-person connections.

The key word here is connection.  You should establish a relationship before inquiring about open positions.

Search Out Recruiters with Company Connections

If possible, you should align your executive job search with recruiters who are well-connected to your target companies on a local and / or national level.  You may need to talk to a lot of recruiters, but it could pay off in the long run when you get first crack at an interview for a competitive position.

Company Websites vs. Job Boards

Keep an eye out for open positions so you can strike while the iron is hot.  Bookmark the career sections of company websites so you can be the first to see a listing, or sign up for automatic notifications.  According to an analysis of hiring data by Jobs2web Inc., recruiters screen more than six times as many applications from job boards than they do from their own websites.  You may stand out more by applying through the website, and appear more intentional in your effort, which suggests a higher level of interest and qualification.

Have you made a target company “wish list?”  If so, please share in the comments section how it has helped you target your executive job search.

L.D. Writing & Résumés provides résumé services for the six figure market on an international scale.  Under the leadership of Laurie DeSalvo, a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW), we specialize in résumé services for CEOs, CFOs, COOs, CIOs, CTOs, Board Chairs, Presidents, Vice Presidents, Directors, entrepreneurs, and managers.

5-Step Business Planning provides business planning products for start-up and expansion stage companies, including comprehensive business plans, mini-plans, executive summaries, and pro forma financials.  5Step employs a unique 5 step business planning process that examines industry and market, financial viability, company concept and positioning, operating plan, and marketing strategy.

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Since founding L.D. Writing & Consulting in 2007, Laurie DeSalvo has provided résumé services to executives, managers, and senior professionals, written business plans and private placement memorandums for start-up and expansion-stage companies, and produced on the money copywriting for companies of all sizes.  This background covers many industries, including consumer products, restaurants, pharmaceuticals, health and wellness, telecommunications, entertainment, business services, real estate, marketing and advertising, food and beverage, and manufacturing.

Laurie offers a unique perspective gained from many years of experience studying the best practices of publicly traded companies and industry leaders.  Laurie has also developed a network of recruiters, career industry professionals, marketing consultants, business brokers, business coaches, finance professionals, and other contacts from which to draw the latest market insights, trends, and best practices unique to executive résumés, business plan writing, and copywriting.

Prior to founding the Company, Laurie served as a Vice President and Equity Research Analyst with Merrill Lynch and Deutsche Bank, where she spent close to 10 years developing C-level relationships, creating financial models, and writing research product, covering companies like Coca Cola, Boston Beer, Forward Air, Knight Transportation, Panera Bread, YUM! Brands, McDonalds, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Reynolds American.  Ms. DeSalvo holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance and Economics from the University of Richmond, along with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW) credentials.

• Emphasize the benefits of your products or services.
• Generate new sales prospects or contacts.
• Optimize your web copy for search engines.
• Position you or your company as a subject matter expert.
• Maintain top-of-mind status with your network.
• Build sales momentum.

L.D. Writing & Consulting Product & Pricing Guide:

Website Copy

• Front Page – $250-$1,000
• General Inside Pages – $250-$500
• In-Depth Product / Service Descriptions – $250-$1,000
• Management Biography Page – $95-$1,000

Blog Ghostwriting - $65-$250 per Post

Article Ghostwriting – $500-$1,500

Book Ghostwriting

• 20,000 Words or Less – up o $10,000 or $100 per Page
• 20,000 to 80,000 Words – $10,000-$40,000

White Paper or Special Report – $200 per Page / $1,000-$2,000 for 5 to 10 Pages

Newsletters

• 2-4 Page – $500-$1,000
• 4-10 Page – $1,000-$2,500

These are the primary product we provide, but this is by no means a comprehensive list.  Also keep in mind that the prices published above are meant to serve as a guideline only, as every project is different and unique in its requirements.  Accelerate your success today and Contact us for a custom quote on your next writing project.

-Recruiting Manager

• “I always knew I was able to clear tall buildings in a single leap but I could have not said it better myself. Thank you for your invaluable help. Looking at both versions (before and after) I am really glad I signed up for this service. I will start using this resume today!”

-Controller / Chief Financial Officer, Auto Industry

• My personal experience dealing with Laurie has been terrific. After spending some time on the phone, and answering a detailed questionnaire, Laurie was able to present my work experience in a clear, concise and professional manner. I have received many compliments on my resume over the last few months. I highly recommend her work to anyone looking to update their resume.

-Trader, New York, NY

• “Wow! This is a great rewrite of my resume (I will call this one my CV!) and is one that I could not have done myself. I greatly appreciate your effort.”

             -Corporate Finance Executive, Banking Industry

• “It looks great! Also since I finally have a resume I can be proud of I made those personal contacts for the Siemens position and have e-mailed the resume directly to the person making that decision. A great resume with good networking skills can shorten the job hunt, especially for this level of job.”

             -Product Manager, Technical & Scientific Research Products

• “Just read through the draft resume and cover letter, and all I can say is WOW!!! Never in a million years would I have thought about representing my experiences in the way you did, totally love it …!!!

             -Project Manager, Technology

• “This is absolutely amazing! No changes are necessary. I really appreciate your services!”

             -Sales Manager

• “I just wanted to thank you very much for all your hard work. I am very happy with the final CV and you will be glad to know it is already generating some expressions of interest.”

             -Project Manager, Telecom

• “I think the resume looks great. I like the look and feel. The way that it reads and now fits on two pages. The cover letter is superb. Far better than anything I have been using. Thanks again for your help.”

             -Vice President of Finance

• “The resume is great. I have had several people look at it and would not change a thing.”

             -Finance Director

• “I never could have made my resume look so good!”

              -Account Manager, Transportation Industry

• “I’ve been getting positive feedback so far from recruiters, people now either call me or e-mail me the same day that I apply!”

             -Education Director

• “I love it! It is so specific and makes me sound awesome….”

             -Senior Marketing Manager, Telecom Industry

• “I love it! You did a terrific job – I am really speechless. I think the rest of my family will be using you in the future as well as they were very impressed.”

             -Senior Trader, Financial Services

Can you identify the unique value proposition that makes you marketable to potential employers?

You might say you are a team player, you are detail-oriented, or you have excellent written and verbal communication skills, and these claims might be true.  But you’re going to have to work a lot harder than that to compete in today’s competitive market for executive and senior leadership jobs.

That’s where I come in with 5 easy brainstorming steps.

Step #1: Make a list of compliments from your superiors, clients, and colleagues, and then highlight the common threads.

Step #2.  Describe three to five situations in which you felt most rewarded in your career.  What did you do, how did you do it, and are there any common themes?

Step #3.  List three people in whose life you have made a significant difference, professionally or personally.  Which of your traits, skills, or talents helped the most?  Highlight the common themes.

Step #4: Describe any unique knowledge or expertise that sets you apart from others in your peer group.

Step #5: List the three most distinguishing facts about your career to date.

Now go back and read your answers.  Perhaps clients regularly compliment your product expertise; maybe you excel at coaching new sales managers in a highly specialized field or industry; you might have started as an intern and worked your way up to a Vice President position at a Fortune 500 company.

Choose the points that create the strongest unique value proposition relative to your career objective.

Wondering whether your resume effectively communicates your unique value proposition? Submit it to  L.D. Writing & Resumes today for a free resume critique!