The job market in 2024 remains complex and competitive, especially for experienced professionals. Whether you’re in the US or Australia, senior-level roles are becoming harder to land, and even seasoned executives find themselves in uncharted territory.

In the US, the labor market has shown signs of slowing growth. While the unemployment rate has remained relatively low, many companies are opting for cautious hiring practices, particularly for higher-level positions. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, sectors such as finance and technology have seen a reduction in the number of open executive roles as organizations focus on cost-saving measures and operational efficiencies.

Australia faces similar challenges. Experienced professionals are navigating a job market that is still feeling the effects of recent economic shifts. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that while job vacancies remain, many organizations are tightening budgets, particularly for senior management and leadership positions. As companies restructure or downsize, professionals with decades of experience are increasingly finding themselves in a crowded job market, vying for fewer opportunities.

In this environment, many seasoned professionals are asking, “How do I stand out?” As a career coach specializing in job searching and career advancement for experienced professionals, I’ve heard this question countless times. Having coached executives, managers, and directors navigating these uncertain times, I’ve come to understand the specific challenges they face. In my latest podcast episode, I answer the most common and pressing questions from corporate professionals and offer actionable advice to help them regain control of their job search and career trajectory.

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Timestamps to guide your listening:

• 01:26 Importance of Cognitive Assessments
• 01:58 Returning to the Webinar Questions
• 06:40 Group Coaching Insights
• 10:06 Career Advancement Strategies
• 14:31 Handling Overqualification Feedback
• 17:36 Competing Against Preferred Candidates
• 23:32 Explaining Employment Gaps
• 28:16 Referee Fatigue
• 28:56 The Importance of Educating Referees
• 29:28 Nurturing Relationships with Referees
• 30:07 Handling Early Reference Checks
• 31:27 Requests for Proposals and Presentations
• 31:45 Dealing with Unsuccessful Interviews
• 32:36 The Role of NDAs in Job Applications
• 35:20 Writing Resumes for Bots
• 38:27 The Referral Process for Recruiters
• 41:21 Building Trust in Interviews
• 42:51 Managing Job Hunting Stress
• 46:48 Balancing Job Hunting with Other Commitments
• 50:45 Group Coaching and Final Thoughts

Links mentioned in this episode:

• Episode 254 - Navigating Career Transitions: Insider Advice for Landing Your Next Role

About the host, Renata Bernarde

Hello, I'm Renata Bernarde, the Host of The Job Hunting Podcast. I'm also an executive coach, job-hunting expert, and career strategist. I teach corporate, non-profit, and public professionals the steps and frameworks to help them find great jobs, change, and advance their careers with confidence and less stress. 

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