Windhof Career Services.
"The best prepared candidate gets the job." Recruiting industry wisdom
The 4 Elements Executive Job Search System
The old recruiting industry wisdom "the best prepared candidate gets the job" holds more true than ever. Competition for executive opportunities is fierce and candidate requirements, in times of personal branding and extensive social media presentations, are at all time highs. Generating, securing, and landing these rare opportunities requires sound execution of several components. To make sure that my clients have all necessary tools and earn all check marks, I have developed the "4 elements of executive job search" system.
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I. Executive & C-Level Resumes |
Branded Executive & C-Level Resumes
Your executive resume needs to position you as an effective leader in your industry. Competition in a global economy, to land top C-suite positions, is fierce.
Anything less but an outstanding leadership resume will seriously impact your ability to open doors for the right opportunities. Executive recruiters spend as little as 10 initial seconds "scanning" your resume before they decide if they want to read on. So your executive resume has to deliver rapidly.
Together we will develop a branded strategy to communicate your Unique Value Proposition and accomplishments consistently throughout your resume.
Expertise and Resume Process
I have empowered hundreds of national and international leaders to properly communicate their value on their resumes. Stop competing with anything short of a unique and highly professional executive resume. My intake process will ensure that we will unearth every relevant aspect to clearly communicate your brand and the value that you bring to the table.
Your executive resume needs to position you as an effective leader in your industry. Competition in a global economy, to land top C-suite positions, is fierce.
Anything less but an outstanding leadership resume will seriously impact your ability to open doors for the right opportunities. Executive recruiters spend as little as 10 initial seconds "scanning" your resume before they decide if they want to read on. So your executive resume has to deliver rapidly.
Together we will develop a branded strategy to communicate your Unique Value Proposition and accomplishments consistently throughout your resume.
Expertise and Resume Process
I have empowered hundreds of national and international leaders to properly communicate their value on their resumes. Stop competing with anything short of a unique and highly professional executive resume. My intake process will ensure that we will unearth every relevant aspect to clearly communicate your brand and the value that you bring to the table.
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"Working with Tim on my resume and cover letter was the start of a great career transformation including a relocation to Switzerland to work for a leader in international finance industry. I know now that my American style resume would not have worked as well on Swiss soil"
Andres G., Zurich, Switzerland
Digitalization Executive
/ Finance Industry
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I didn't have a need for a resume for almost 20 years due to my company longevity and also thought my self-engineered one was just fine. However, when I sent out my resume to recruiter I knew through a fellow board member, the recruiter immediately advised me to get in touch with Tim. I am glad she did.
Petra N., California, USA
Chief Marketing Officer
/ Software Industry
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II. LinkedIn Profiles & Executive Bios |
Optimized LinkedIn Profiles
In today's hunt for the best opportunities it is paramount to utilize additional career documents besides your executive resume and cover letter. Like it or not the fact is that your social media and online presence will be reviewed before a hiring decision is made.
LinkedIn with its 100M+ active users remains popular with recruiters from around the globe and provides you with the opportunity to connect with future employers long before they actively post a job opportunity. Global players, like Adidas and BMW, employ recruiters focusing exclusively on sourcing candidates from LinkedIn.
So don't jeopardize this tremendous potential with a rushed and non-optimized DIY LinkedIn solution. Your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to present yourself from a different angle compared to your resume.
Particularly in the Summary section, you are not bound by the usual resume white-space restrictions. LinkedIn provides you with 2,000 characters to populate this section. Together we will make sure you make the most of it!
Executive Bios
Particularly in the highly sensitive executive market, you might encounter situations where sending out a full-blown resume does not seem appropriate.
In such situations, executive networking bios are another great tool in the box to open doors for you. A compelling 1-page executive bio can further communicate your personal brand and value-add aspects in a third person narrative.
In today's hunt for the best opportunities it is paramount to utilize additional career documents besides your executive resume and cover letter. Like it or not the fact is that your social media and online presence will be reviewed before a hiring decision is made.
LinkedIn with its 100M+ active users remains popular with recruiters from around the globe and provides you with the opportunity to connect with future employers long before they actively post a job opportunity. Global players, like Adidas and BMW, employ recruiters focusing exclusively on sourcing candidates from LinkedIn.
So don't jeopardize this tremendous potential with a rushed and non-optimized DIY LinkedIn solution. Your LinkedIn profile is an opportunity to present yourself from a different angle compared to your resume.
Particularly in the Summary section, you are not bound by the usual resume white-space restrictions. LinkedIn provides you with 2,000 characters to populate this section. Together we will make sure you make the most of it!
Executive Bios
Particularly in the highly sensitive executive market, you might encounter situations where sending out a full-blown resume does not seem appropriate.
In such situations, executive networking bios are another great tool in the box to open doors for you. A compelling 1-page executive bio can further communicate your personal brand and value-add aspects in a third person narrative.
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Tim, I know I was skeptical of using LinkedIn for my job search process but your input was right on the money. I generated 3 great leads through LinkedIn just last week. As you said, no waiting for opportunities required.
Carlos H., Texas, USA
Energy Executive
/ Energy Industry
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As a CCO for a global insurer I am extremely careful about any type of confidential information. Sending out my resume to my network didn't feel natural to me. That's where the executive bio came in quite handy. The text Tim created has a great flow and highlights my accomplishments without revealing anything too specific. Great work!
JD C., Ohio, USA
Chief Compliance Officer / Insurance Industry
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III. Hidden Job Market Strategy |
Creating a Proactive Job Search Campaign
Top-level executive opportunities rarely get publicly posted on the usual job boards or even company websites. Neither do those opportunities "automatically" end-up with executive recruiting agencies.
After all, recruiters or job advertisements only come into the game once all preferred methods of finding the right leadership candidates have been exhausted. You want to approach the chain much earlier then that - and I will show you how.
Creating an effective job search campaign is thus essential if you want to be proactive and tap into the hidden job market.
Hidden Job Market Campaign Process
Together we will develop a unique hidden job search campaign that will put you in the driver's seat! Let other candidates wait for opportunities to be advertised the traditional way.
Top-level executive opportunities rarely get publicly posted on the usual job boards or even company websites. Neither do those opportunities "automatically" end-up with executive recruiting agencies.
After all, recruiters or job advertisements only come into the game once all preferred methods of finding the right leadership candidates have been exhausted. You want to approach the chain much earlier then that - and I will show you how.
Creating an effective job search campaign is thus essential if you want to be proactive and tap into the hidden job market.
Hidden Job Market Campaign Process
Together we will develop a unique hidden job search campaign that will put you in the driver's seat! Let other candidates wait for opportunities to be advertised the traditional way.
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There is so much buzz around the so-called hidden job market and there seems to be so little substance to it. However, Tim's program is quite different. Tapping into the hidden job market the right way does require a little bit more than "just networking". It was hard work; particularly with a 60 hour work week but it was well worth it in the end.
Clara O., North Carolina, USA
SVP Business Development
/ Biotech Industry
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You made the entire process very transparent and tangible, Tim. I really need an occasional push and I appreciate your candor and patience throughout the coaching process.
Frank L. Florida, USA
Principal
/ Consulting Industry
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IV. Executive Interview Performance |
The Classic Executive Interview Situation
Your resume, LinkedIn profile, and hidden job search strategy have done the groundwork and generated interview opportunities for you. Now you have to outperform your competitors one more time. Quite a few of my executive clients will initially say that they perform well in interview situations. But do they? And how long ago was their last interview with an external 5 person panel? In my experience, most mock interview sessions reveal plenty of opportunity to sharpen your career and leadership story.
Realistic Mock Interviewing
Mock interview sessions - and subsequent analysis - via phone or Skype based on job descriptions and specific role requirements can greatly enhance interview performance. Showcasing your 30 second elevator speech or a more in-depth career story ("Tell us a little bit about yourself") should not be a challenge but an actual opportunity to shine. Behavior-based, structured, or stress interview scenarios - you will be prepared!
Your resume, LinkedIn profile, and hidden job search strategy have done the groundwork and generated interview opportunities for you. Now you have to outperform your competitors one more time. Quite a few of my executive clients will initially say that they perform well in interview situations. But do they? And how long ago was their last interview with an external 5 person panel? In my experience, most mock interview sessions reveal plenty of opportunity to sharpen your career and leadership story.
Realistic Mock Interviewing
Mock interview sessions - and subsequent analysis - via phone or Skype based on job descriptions and specific role requirements can greatly enhance interview performance. Showcasing your 30 second elevator speech or a more in-depth career story ("Tell us a little bit about yourself") should not be a challenge but an actual opportunity to shine. Behavior-based, structured, or stress interview scenarios - you will be prepared!
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The interview went extremely well. The mock training and the interview prep sheet provided me with extreme confidence and I think it showed. Good we practiced with some mean curveballs you threw me, Tim.
Alina, S., Ohio, US
Chief Information Security Officer
/ Airline Industry
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I love your consulting approach to the interview situation. Taking charge of the interview situation has been game changer. I even apply some of the strategies during our board meetings these days.
Kayle W., Ohio, USA
VP Franchise Development
/ Gastronomy & Franchise Industry
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Executive Career Success Packages
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The vast majority of my executive and C-level clients opts to go with a career document package to ensure that all application materials are in-line and on-brand.
Common Career Package Scenarios Executives frequently need to compete with an optimized executive resume, cover letter, and LinkedIn profile. When targeting board of director positions or conducting a very active job search campaign, I recommend adding an executive biography. Executive Career Package Investments
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A la Carte Options
You already have an outstanding and branded resume and you are only looking for hidden job market coaching? Your interviewing skills are already at top-level but you need new written career documents?
Simply ask about a la carte services.
A la carte options include:
I. Resumes & Career Marketing Documents
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” Warren Buffett
Simply ask about a la carte services.
A la carte options include:
I. Resumes & Career Marketing Documents
- Executive Resumes
- Networking Resumes
- International Resumes
- Customized Cover Letters
- Motivation Letters
- Executive Bios (short and long versions)
- LinkedIn & Xing Profiles
- Thank You Letters
- Reference Sheets
- Hidden Job Market Coaching
- LinkedIn Advice & Strategy
- Executive Communication Strategy
- Developing Your Personal Brand
- Interview Performance Coaching
“It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it. If you think about that, you’ll do things differently.” Warren Buffett
My Clients Come First
If you are reading this, it is most likely that one of my satisfied clients has sent you my way. I take great pride in providing a professional "one-on-one" service which ensures optimized results and essential confidentiality during your executive search period.
I Develop Career Marketing and Resume Solutions with Powerful Messages
I am a 4x certified resume writer and recruiting specialist and know what makes an effective and branded leadership message. Benefit from my resume writing and coaching expertise! You are the expert in your field and industry but are you confident that you are communicating your value properly online and on paper?
When To Reach OutI understand that you want to make an informed decision about your executive resume writer and career coach, so let me describe a few common scenarios of when reaching out might be a good idea:
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"I always had this feeling that my career might have outgrown my resume a while ago before reaching out to and working with Tim. Now, I can hardly wait for positive resume feedback whenever I send it out." Spencer B., COO, Cleveland, OH
Terms of Service, Windhof Communications - Career Services:
I. Scope of Service
Windhof Communications – Career Services LLL (hereinafter: the “COMPANY”) delivers highly customized career services (including but not limited to resume writing and career coaching). Due to the nature of the highly customized services, the COMPANY cannot offer client refunds nor accept client cancellations.
Fees for resume services and written documents include up to 2 rounds of revisions. Additional revisions are seldom required but, if requested, are subject to an additional fee.
II. Service Delivery & Review
Standard turnaround time for resume writing projects is 5 business days after the COMPANY receives all completed intake materials and information necessary to produce a stellar resume.
Resume and career document clients will review all delivered materials and shall notify the COMPANY of any potential corrections and change request within 2 weeks after document delivery.
Clients assure the accuracy of all data provided to the Company. The COMPANY cannot and will not verify provided employment and career details. The COMPANY employs utmost care in document creation but cannot guarantee an error-free document. The final responsibility to ensure accuracy and proofreading shall rest with the client.
III. Best Practices
The COMPANY will draft and write resumes and additional career documents pursuant to the guidelines and best practices as stipulated by National Resume Writers’ Association.
The COMPANY stays current on all resume, cover letter, and social media job search trends and leverages this knowledge to the full benefit of the client. Nevertheless, the Company cannot guarantee job placement or a certain outcome.
IV. Confidentiality
The Company works with executive career clients and understands that confidentiality of career information is paramount. Information shared for resume creation, and career coaching purposes will be treated strictly confidential.
I. Scope of Service
Windhof Communications – Career Services LLL (hereinafter: the “COMPANY”) delivers highly customized career services (including but not limited to resume writing and career coaching). Due to the nature of the highly customized services, the COMPANY cannot offer client refunds nor accept client cancellations.
Fees for resume services and written documents include up to 2 rounds of revisions. Additional revisions are seldom required but, if requested, are subject to an additional fee.
II. Service Delivery & Review
Standard turnaround time for resume writing projects is 5 business days after the COMPANY receives all completed intake materials and information necessary to produce a stellar resume.
Resume and career document clients will review all delivered materials and shall notify the COMPANY of any potential corrections and change request within 2 weeks after document delivery.
Clients assure the accuracy of all data provided to the Company. The COMPANY cannot and will not verify provided employment and career details. The COMPANY employs utmost care in document creation but cannot guarantee an error-free document. The final responsibility to ensure accuracy and proofreading shall rest with the client.
III. Best Practices
The COMPANY will draft and write resumes and additional career documents pursuant to the guidelines and best practices as stipulated by National Resume Writers’ Association.
The COMPANY stays current on all resume, cover letter, and social media job search trends and leverages this knowledge to the full benefit of the client. Nevertheless, the Company cannot guarantee job placement or a certain outcome.
IV. Confidentiality
The Company works with executive career clients and understands that confidentiality of career information is paramount. Information shared for resume creation, and career coaching purposes will be treated strictly confidential.