Yahoo Finance 8 steps to getting a job in the C-suite
If you’re in middle management, making the next step to the C-suite can seem unachievable.
Although it’s not easy to get the top job, if you believe you’re a good candidate, there are a few things you can do to fast-track your way to being a boardroom executive.
According to recruitment firm Robert Half, here are 8 ways to communicate you’re C-suite material:
1. Be proactive, and make your passion loud and clear
You can’t just sit and wait for people to notice your skills: get on the front foot and proactively look for opportunities. Exhibiting passion will be key as it communicates engagement and will set you apart from your peers.
“It also allows others to believe in you and be motivated by you,” the recruitment firm said.
Not only is it crucial for you to demonstrate passion in what you’re doing as a mid-manager for your own growth and for a more senior role, but for the company and your team to recognise you as a promising leader.
2. Stand on the shoulders of giants and get a bigger picture
Do you admire things in your own manager or leader? Take on those qualities in yourself. But don’t stop there: build up a network of mentors and coaches, whose executive mindset you can learn from and cultivate.
“Use these mentorship opportunities to develop your business acumen as well.”
Are you familiar with all the aspects of the business in a more top-line or bird’s-eye view? Use your network to get better acquainted with facets of the organisation you’re less across. This way, you’ll get a better sense of the company goals, stakeholders and customers, and you’ll also build key relationships across the company.
“By networking with people from different parts of the business too and taking the time to understand how everything works and fits together, you will be able to develop your strategic thinking,” Robert Half added.
This way, you might be able to spot any missed opportunities, ways to streamline processes or save money, or new ways to generate more sales.
3. Ditch the comfort zone
You’ve heard this one before, but if you want to be picked as a future leader, you’ll have to prove you’re willing to go the extra mile.
This doesn’t have to be daunting, however; take it one step at a time by putting yourself forward for new projects, asking for more tasks, or networking across the company. Get to know people outside your department and adding value where you can, according to Robert Half.
“Make it your mission to understand all aspects of running the business, whilst being mindful of the costs associated.
“Approach every new, unknown skill as a chance to expand your level of expertise and boost your reputation so that people know that you are ambitious to grow and learn.”
4. Set flexible career goals
It’s unlikely you will stumble into your dream job. Set a plan for how you want to get there, and a timeline for it, too, while factoring in challenges or change.
Once your plan is in place, speak to people about it – including your supervisor so they know you want to progress, the recruitment firm advised.
“Achieving your career goal is going to require a combination of building relationships, professional training, achieving results and lots of emotional intelligence.”
Along the way, you’ll be sure to encounter tasks you don’t want to do.
“Getting involved will show that you’re willing to put in the hard work and can also help to widen your expertise. Just adjust your plan accordingly and keep your end goal in view.”
5. Learn the secrets of executive decision making
“Executives often need to make tough decisions and follow through on them, so you need to develop executive courage,” noted the recruitment firm.
Learn to get used to facing up to challenging situations, explore new strategies, and get involved in important discussions.
“If you are perceived in a positive way, you will become an influencer which will boost your value within the company. That will help you move yet another step nearer towards your ultimate goal of having a seat at the table.”
6. Don’t be all about work all the time
You don’t need to give 110 per cent around the clock to get ahead. Instead, team members will look towards leaders who can show they have a good work-life balance; a study of 50,000 global workers by the US-based Corporate Executive Board found staff who believed they had good work-life balance actually worked 21 per cent harder.
If you can show you can find harmony between your work life and personal life and encourage others to do the same, the whole team’s productivity will lift, as will your leadership potential.
7. Carry yourself like an executive
It’s not quite ‘fake it ‘til you make it’, but it’s something like that: to become a senior leader or be considered for the position, it’s about knowing how to behave like an executive, said Robert Half.
“When interacting with others, think about the impression you are creating, your interpersonal skills, body language, effective listening skills, how you manoeuvre through office politics and how you project authentic charisma,” the recruitment firm advised.
“All these qualities will help to create your ‘executive presence’ and will move you one step closer to the boardroom.”
8. Don’t lose steam
Becoming a C-suite executive isn’t going to be easy, so determination will be the key to succeeding, so stay focused on and invest in your career development.
Turn perceived challenges – such as hitting a tough KPI or executing a major project – into an opportunity to prove your capability and your determination which will help get you into the boardroom.
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