When it comes to your job search, are you out in front of the right audience - or do they know next to nothing about you?

If there's one mistake that executive job hunters make over and over again, it's being a best-kept secret: at their jobs, on their resumes, and during their searches. They are reluctant to toot their own horn, so to speak, thinking that it will be seen in a negative light.

Well, it does cost them, but not in the way they might think - and in the job hunt is where it matters most. See if any of this applies to you, and what you can do to change your job search results and career fortunes for the better:


Come out from hiding on the job
No, I don't mean literally - but too many executive leaders believe the world automatically takes stock of their contributions and the 110% passion they have for their careers. However, getting this type of recognition requires spreading the word about your qualifications outside of your inner circle.

To stay on top, initiative and drive are key, but visibility rules. Becoming the influence behind key projects, starting a blog about your firm’s core competencies, or standing out as a thought leader in your industry are great ways to stay on others’ radar screens.

The fact is - highly visible players who have expert knowledge and USE it at every turn get promoted faster and maintain their jobs longer.

And even if the axe falls, they've got a ready group of colleagues who remember their contributions, and can serve as great networking sources for their next job search and transition.


Quit hiding on your resume
This may not be too surprising, coming from someone who creates resumes for a living...but I really don't believe that most people sell themselves on paper very well.

Case in point: the self-written resumes that cross my desk frequently talk at length about tasks, NOT achievements.

They focus mainly on where the candidate is right NOW, instead of putting them into a new role with demonstrations of fitness for the next level up the career ladder.

Worse yet, so many people are confused about how to create a truly captivating resume that they resort to copying phrases and lines off others' resumes. This leaves them with a document that doesn't even represent THEIR strengths and abilities.

So, consider getting someone else who knows you and your work to contribute input to your resume.

Anyone who has seen your efforts firsthand and can attest to your successes might have a different take on what you really offer. If you seek out help with your resume, ensure that the organization you approach gathers sufficient information that reflects your personality, strengths, and leadership brand.

Throw out old ideas about resume writing, and simply get to the core of what you know and offer. Then, capture it and ensure that the reader doesn't miss it.

Compelling, powerful executive resumes always present this information so prominently that it's never hidden or confusing.


Get yourself out in front of the online world
True job searching really doesn't start the minute you're laid off. It begins with establishing credibility and a presence among the hiring audience and the professional world while you're still employed.

There is no better way to do this in today's market than to create an online presence and to monitor it carefully. I can't say this last part enough - you might have a Facebook profile, for instance, but what does it say to employers?

Can anyone read your musings on the job and whether you're happy there? What do the pictures you post say about you as a professional?

There ARE ways to enhance your credibility by putting your professional life on display, and they're quick, simple, and cost-effective to boot. For instance, do you blog on professional topics? Publish your resume on a Web site? Comment on other blogs related to your career?

My top pick is a LinkedIn profile that gives the world a robust view of who you are and what you do. LinkedIn is, hands-down, the best resource for getting your name out professionally and cultivating an online identity. If you're not already familiar with it, go to www.LinkedIn.com and get started by creating a free profile.

Build as many connections as possible, not just for visibility, but to keep your profile on top of search engines. Keep in mind, too, that recruiters frequent LinkedIn to find new candidates to source. You CAN get hired just from being found – it happens frequently.


In summary, these three ways to maintain visibility will not only help you in your career ascent, but when marketing your skills for a new job. Remember to shed your status as a best-kept secret so that you can be found - and HIRED - by the right audience.