We talk with executive and corporate recruiters every day, and they tell us the market is improving. We see it in our increased privately posted job listings and also in the increased number of searches that are done through our network using the profiles our members create for themselves. These searches are often for positions that will never be posted.

Sixty-seven percent of recruiters report that it is easier to attract employed executives to new positions versus one year ago. With activity up, the challenge we are seeing for executives is getting attention for themselves as competition increases.

The dilemma for many executives is how to present yourself effectively. Recent surveys with recruiters indicate that fewer than 40 percent of the résumés they receive present an executive's value as well as they should.

It is all in the clear message of value and communicating your passion. Presenting yourself, not as a set of prior jobs or experiences, but selling yourself as a "solution in search of specific problems a company has" is the key.

If you are not getting the response you want from your résumé or personal marketing materials, now may be time for a "rethink." Connect with career experts who can personally explain how or can help you develop a compelling presentation for yourself and accelerate the job search process.

Mark Anderson
Mark Anderson is ExecuNet's president and chief economist. An Arjay Miller Scholar, Mark received his MBA from Stanford University and a BA in economics from Yale University. He joined ExecuNet in 1993, with extensive marketing and new product and business development experience, having served as president and founder of A&M Associates, an investment management firm. Mark's corporate leadership experience includes several senior marketing and financial positions with RCA Global Communications (a GE subsidiary) and American Can Company.

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