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ON Partners - Tara flickinger
Ignite Your Executive Job Search
www.redefinepossibility.com
Tara, what advice do you have for an executive who is looking to pivot to a new career path? How would you approach that process and coach someone to leverage their skills in a new arena?
If you are thinking about pivoting, then you should, and do so boldly.
If you’re questioning whether to make a change, that’s often a sign that it’s time to explore something new. How you live your every day is how you live your life - if your current path isn’t bringing you fulfillment, it’s worth making a move to align with what does. Just be sure you’re pivoting for the right reasons.
Sometimes, embracing change means swallowing your pride and taking a step back in title or compensation to master a new craft. While it may feel like a setback, it’s only temporary and is an investment in your long-term success and happiness. Focus on doing something you love and excel at - your passion and expertise will drive success in your new path.
What is the best way to approach or leverage your network for a job search if you haven’t nurtured it in quite some time?
Start with curiosity, not requests. The key to reconnecting with your network is to focus on learning, not asking for favors right away. Knowledge is power, so take the time to educate yourself on your desired career path. Reach out with a genuine interest in their insights - people love to share their experiences.
Approach the conversation with something like, “I’d love to get your thoughts” or “Can I pick your brain over coffee or a quick Zoom?” Expressing that you value their perspective makes them more receptive and willing to help.
When it’s time to ask for help, be specific. Make it as easy as possible for them to understand what you’re looking for, whether it’s an introduction, advice, or a referral.
A new year is a natural time to consider making a career change. In the column below, Tara Flickinger from ON Partners offers her advice on making a career pivot, leveraging your network and a key action needed to bring more women to the C-Suite.
Tara Flickinger is a partner at ON Partners. She has extensive experience placing C-level executives in leading roles across Venture Capital/Private Equity, Consumer/Consumer Technology, Insurance, and Industrial/Manufacturing sectors.
Before joining ON Partners, Tara held positions at Goldman Sachs, Pfizer, and Octagon. She holds her M.B.A. from The University of North Carolina’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. To connect with Tara on LinkedIn click HERE.
Since 2006, ON Partners is the leading pure-play retained executive search firm building C-level and board leadership teams across industries and functions. Named by Forbes as one of America’s Best Executive Recruiting Firms and to the Inc. 500/5000 Lists nine times, the firm is consistently ranked among the top 20 retained executive search firms in the U.S.
Column by Tara Flickinger, Partner at ON Partners