Debra Boggs

It's important to address the layoff so it doesn't look like you're hiding anything. But it's also important to not over-share unnecessary details that could raise red flags. If you're bitter about the layoff or in crisis mode because of the job loss, your feelings of resentment or desperation will come through in your interviews. Having a well-crafted narrative around your layoff will help you avoid pulling focus from what you want to communicate, which is how you're the right fit for the role. Keep it short, positive, and future-focused on what you learned in the role and how you'll apply it to their company.

If you have a long career or some of your notable achievements and/or companies show up on the second page of your resume, I recommend adding a "career highlights" section at the top after your summary. Listing 3-5 brief (one-line) bullets about the key accomplishments as they relate to your ideal next role will help your highest-level value from getting lost in the details in your experience section. This allows you to control the narrative and pull the focus to exactly where you want it depending on the role you're seeking.

Focus is key - If you're a senior leader, you have probably done a lot of different things. But a generalist approach won’t help you stand out and compete for top opportunities when companies want experts. So it's vital to get really clear about your ideal next role before launching your search. I ask my clients, "If the perfect job came across your desk today, what would it look like?" Narrow in on what functions you want to lead, which industries and companies you are uniquely equipped to serve and what type of environment you want to work in. Getting clear about your ideal role first will make every step after this much easier and more effective, which can ultimately shorten your time on the market and increase your final offer.

When it comes to negotiating compensation as a candidate, you hold the most leverage once you have received a job offer. At the point a company has made their decision that you are the right candidate for the role, they will be much more willing to make concessions to bring you on board. It's too early in the process to begin making demands during the interview stage, but once you have the offer in hand, a well-crafted counteroffer that also includes your enthusiasm for the company and role, as well as the reasons you will be worth the extra money, can be successful.

If you are struggling to land a new role, it's important to first identify where the process is breaking down before you start changing things. I've seen many job seekers reach out and get conflicting advice from several sources to change their resumes. However, they are getting interviews but not getting callbacks or offers. This means the resume is doing its job, but the process is breaking down at some point during the interview. So you know where to begin for gathering feedback. This approach will keep you from spinning in circles without actionable insights.

At the executive level, you've done many different things in past roles, but it's important to get clear about your ideal next role so that you can tailor your resume to the specific skills and experiences needed for your target opportunities. Don't try to be all things to all people. Instead, narrow your focus to only what's most important to the companies you want to join. Example: If you want to be a Chief Marketing Officer for an apparel brand, think about the greatest challenges these companies face and communicate how you are uniquely equipped to help solve them.