The Gift That Every Executive Deserves

Finding the “perfect gift” for someone can feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. But if you’re an executive, there is an obvious choice.

By Julie Norwell

Finding the “perfect gift” for someone can sometimes feel like a quest for the Holy Grail. The perfect gift must have personal relevance and feel uniquely suited to the recipient. It should show genuine thought about someone’s needs, desires, interests, or aspirations, making them feel seen and appreciated. And it should add value to the recipient’s life, be it practical or emotional. 

The best gifts often motivate or empower the recipient in some way. They might promote relaxation, spark creativity, or inspire someone to pursue greater endeavors. And, ideally, they would provide benefits that extend beyond the moment of giving – an impact that is ongoing.

But when was the last time you gave yourself the perfect gift? For some people, the notion of self-gifting seems indulgent. But there is nothing wrong with periodically acknowledging your own needs, desires, and aspirations and rewarding yourself with a gift uniquely designed for you – one that you wouldn’t normally consider – especially if it helps you become a better version of yourself. So, what would that gift be?

Well, if you’re an executive, there is an obvious choice that ticks all the boxes of the perfect gift: executive career management services. 

Why? Because the services are tailored to you. They will both inspire you to pursue your professional dreams and empower you with the confidence and know-how to achieve them. Best of all, the lessons you learn can be used again and again throughout your career. It’s the gift that keeps on giving.

Assistance from a high-caliber career management firm is the sort of gift that every executive deserves at least once during their career. Of course, there are plenty of specific occasions when it makes great sense, too.

High-caliber career management services are the sort of gift that every executive deserves at least once during their career.

Major Career Transition

A major career transition is one of the clearest times to invest in career management services. If you are shifting industries, for example, chances are good that you will feel out of your depth quickly. Expert guidance can be invaluable. Let’s say you’re among the thousands of government employees facing potential job cuts in the new presidential administration. An expert can help you identify transferable skills, broaden your opportunities, and chart a clear path forward.

Take Philip, a long-time and passionate public servant for the state of Washington. Philip was pressed to fill a critically important government role during the pandemic – deputy commissioner and chief operating officer of a 2,300-person agency. He did it, but, as the crisis subsided, he found the position to be an unappealing long-term prospect. Unfortunately, Philip faced an up-or-out situation. 

Philip’s only option, therefore, was to leave government completely. But he had little experience looking or applying for jobs. He knew even less about job transitioning outside government. 

“Within a week of beginning my job search, I knew I’d need help. I didn’t even know how to use LinkedIn. And when I called recruiters they said, ‘We don’t talk to people like you,’” said Philip. 

Philip hired The Barrett Group, which helped him understand the value he offered private sector employers and how to showcase it. 

“I found out that interviewing in government is drastically different from interviewing in the corporate sector. In government they focus on your values and personal traits; in the private sector they focus on your business results,” said Philip.

Ultimately, Philip had the unique situation of landing successfully twice – once in a management consulting role tailor-made for him, and later as director of an agency reporting directly to the governor of Oregon. He was thrilled with his experience.

When You Want More from Your Career

Paying for career management may seem like a luxury, but it also is a prudent investment when you want more from your career. 

Elfreda was a seasoned executive with vast experience and expertise in K-12 education policy when she decided to seek career management help. She had been a national facilitator at a Washington D.C.-based non-profit for six years, earning the highest honor of “distinguished faculty member.” 

But Elfreda wanted even greater challenges.

“I was so busy working that I never spent time getting clarity on what to do next in my career. There came a point in my sixth year when I felt strongly that there was more that I wanted to do. I knew I had more value,” said Elfreda.

A leadership coach herself, Elfreda was a big advocate of coaching in career development, but she’d never hired one before. She knew the time had come.

“I wanted to be very intentional about my career change,” said Elfreda. “Mentors have helped me throughout my career, but I knew a professional coach would help me develop a formal strategy and bring a greater level of accountability. I saw this as an investment in me – a gift to myself.”

Elfreda turned to The Barrett Group to reassess her goals and craft a strategic approach to her job search. She learned to leverage her network, demonstrate her value proposition, strengthen her negotiation skills, and much more. 

Elfreda’s efforts yielded fantastic results. She connected with a former colleague building out an EdTech startup, who invited her to join him as a thought partner and a member of his team. Elfreda, energized by the opportunity to transition to the private sector, happily launched an exciting new chapter of her career.

Career management is a multi-faceted gift. It isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about transforming your approach to your career. And it’s a gift that keeps delivering.

Strategic Edge

Another great time to hire experts is when you face a particularly challenging employment landscape. In a competitive job market, having an edge can make all the difference. And career management firms can give you that edge. They offer insights into market trends, resume optimization, interview preparation, and negotiation tactics. These are crucial aides in a job search because, let’s face it, sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know. And that not knowing can pose significant risks to you.

In the case of Ned, inadequate interview skills were costing him job after job. “I had seven or eight “silver medals” in my job search. I never got the gold,” said Ned. After doing a deep dive on his situation with an executive career consultant, however, Ned uncovered specific areas to be mindful of during interviews. Shortly thereafter, Ned got two job offers in the same week, with a budding third potential offer. 

Clarity and Direction

Many job seekers realize at some point in their career that their work is no longer working for them. But they struggle to determine what else they can do or what would make them happy. Engaging a career management firm helps them gain a clearer understanding of their goals, strengths, and how to align these with the current job market. This clarity is a gift because it prevents floundering, career stagnation or, worse, career misery.

Steven Levy reached such a level of dissatisfaction working in his industry that he quit his job without a Plan B. He had no idea what to do next. As the breadwinner for his young family, he couldn’t afford the time that a “trial-and-error” approach to job seeking would take. So, he hired professional help. He reasoned that to successfully and quickly transition to a different industry and role, career management services would be a smart investment. 

He was right. In fact, Steven not only landed a new job in a new industry within a few months, he got a new lease on life.

“I am rejuvenated!” said Steven. “I wake up every morning and think, ‘I get to go to work!’”

The Multi-faceted Gift

There are many more compelling reasons why job seekers might want to use career management services, too. It’s a multi-faceted gift. Career management isn’t just about finding a job; it’s about transforming your approach to your career, building lifelong skills, and unlocking opportunities you might never have considered. It enables you to make career leaps with confidence. And it’s a gift that keeps delivering value and fulfillment long after the initial investment.

So, if you’re navigating a major career transition, seeking greater clarity and purpose, striving to stand out in a competitive market, or trying to overcome some other challenge, consider giving yourself the gift you deserve. After all, isn’t your future worth it?

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Written by Julie Norwell, senior writer & content manager at The Barrett Group.

 

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