Monday, November 27, 2017

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Tips For Becoming a Chief Executive Officer

Finding the right CEO job is never an easy task. Today, with training budgets decreasing and salaries strained, it is even more difficult. At the same time, the need for top talent is growing all the time. According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, a record number of chief executives left their jobs in 2008. As Tom Stemberg, the founder of Staples explains, "The CEO job today is more stressful and draining than at any time in history."

Tips For Becoming a Chief Executive Officer
Tips For Becoming a Chief Executive Officer


For business people working up the corporate ladder this could, of course, be good news. More vacancies mean more chances for you to become a CEO. According to well known executive recruiter Dennis Carey, a well-planned succession process needs to understand that one size doesn't fit all companies, and that the roster and ranking of potential successors may shift as the company's strategy shifts over time. With this lengthy process in mind, it's essential to consider the following tips for becoming a CEO in an ever-changing market.

When searching for a CEO position, you can boost your chances by understanding and accommodating the many ways that companies select their senior managers. Many firms promote their senior executives through a set pattern, usually promoting from president and COO to CEO. Whether or not this process makes sense, it's important to understand their thinking process. According to Gerry Roche, senior chairman of Chicago-based executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, you need to "make sure your work history contains a combination of line and staff responsibilities that provide you with experience at both the conceptual and action levels."

In addition, you need to take responsibility for your own professional development. If you see your current job title as limiting, move beyond it. Tell your boss that you would like more responsibility and look for opportunities to advance. Be direct with your boss during your annual reviews. Ask what you can do to advance, what your shortcomings are and how you should address them, how you can build on your strengths and more.

Certainly, it goes without saying that you need to excel in your current position if you hope to move up to CEO. If you are always looking to the next position and putting all of your energy into moving up, you may be ignoring your current position. Make sure that you are putting a sufficient amount of energy into your current position and that you are doing your job exceptionally well.

Finally, while you may have your heart set on becoming the CEO of your current company, you may find that you need to campaign elsewhere at some point. If you see that the current CEO has more than a decade left to work, or you see that your division is having budget cuts, it may be time to look elsewhere for advancement. Keeping your options open - and your eyes open - just might lead you to the right position in another company.

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