List of Top 10 search strategies as determined by Korn/Ferry

1. The top 10 list was culled and rank-ordered from recommendations provided by
Korn/Ferry's global network of executive recruiters:
10) Start the search immediately: Don’t take extended time off. The search process can take 6-12
months for senior executives.
9) Treat the search process like a job: Establish your schedule and hold yourself accountable for
making progress daily.
8) Be open to interim positions, freelancing or consulting: Companies are cutting fixed costs in
today’s economy, but may have consulting opportunities for projects or niche specialties to
compensate for reduced head-count. These opportunities enable you to draw an income,
maintain your skills and move you to the front of the line when hiring begins.
7) Be willing to commute or relocate: As industries evolve, career opportunities migrate. Know
where the positions are going in your field and be willing to move for the right opportunity.
6) Don’t panic, be patient, but don’t be picky: Appearing overanxious to a prospective
employer will only diminish your value. And certainly you don’t want to jump from one
precarious position to the next. But dream jobs are scarce in today’s market. Remember that
most positions are not strictly bound by their job description but rather they are what you
make of them.
5) Be flexible: Don’t get hung up on compensation structure and title. Coming in at a pay grade
or title below your ideal may work to your advantage. As you exceed expectations, title and
salary will adjust accordingly in time.
4) Keep sharp: Stay current on the latest news, trends and technologies that are important in
your industry.
3) Stay fit: Don’t neglect your health and diet, which too often lapse with the stress of job
searching.
2) Use your resources: There are a number of online tools and free resources that assist job
seekers. Start with your university, professional organizations, veterans group or other
affiliations you may have for assistance. Online resources recommended by Korn/Ferry
executive recruiters include:
• U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration:
http://www.doleta.gov/
• National Career Development Association: http://ncda.org/
• Wall Street Journal Careers page: http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-career-
jobs.html
• About.com / Career Planning: http://careerplanning.about.com/
1) Network, network, network: There’s no substitute for personal relationships when looking
for career opportunities. Professional associations, alumni associations, and informational
interviews are tried and true ways to conduct a job hunt. Today, networking is easier than
ever with social and professional networking sites like LinkedIn, Classmates.com or
Facebook. (Wikipedia has an extensive list at:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_social_networking_websites)