Approach to the Job Search: Positioning, Networking, and Staying Sharp
October 16, 2025
Approaching the executive job search takes precision from sharpening your story to activating the networks that actually move opportunities forward. Even the most seasoned leaders lose traction when their narrative is unclear or their outreach is passive.
In this episode of Mission One: The Executive Edge, hosts Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles continue their three-part series with Part 2: Approach to the Job Search. They reveal how to position yourself in the market, craft a standout LinkedIn presence, and build a four-channel networking system that keeps you visible before roles even surface. Whether you’re ready for your next move or simply keeping your options open, this episode is a masterclass in showing up strategically and staying top of mind for the right opportunities.
Once the preparation is done, the real challenge begins, knowing how to approach the market. In this episode of Mission One: The Executive Edge, hosts Dan Hampton and Gerard Miles continue their three-part series with Part 2: Approach to the Job Search. They break down what it truly means to position yourself strategically, from crafting a credible LinkedIn presence to activating the right relationships across your network.
Gerard and Dan unpack why clarity of narrative often matters more than years of experience, and how to frame a specialisation that feels both authentic and marketable. They reveal how to make your professional story instantly legible to recruiters, why “Swiss-army-knife” careers can be hard to place, and how a four-pronged networking strategy, spanning personal contacts, headhunters, target companies, and investors, expands your reach in practical, measurable ways.
They also lift the curtain on how headhunters actually work, explaining the difference between retained and contingent searches, and how to stay visible across both. The conversation closes with insight on staying current, from testing new tools and attending industry events to making small, smart bets on innovation. It’s a practical, candid playbook for executives who want to stay relevant, connected, and ready when opportunity comes calling.
What You’ll Learn
Gerard and Dan unpack why clarity of narrative often matters more than years of experience, and how to frame a specialisation that feels both authentic and marketable. They reveal how to make your professional story instantly legible to recruiters, why “Swiss-army-knife” careers can be hard to place, and how a four-pronged networking strategy, spanning personal contacts, headhunters, target companies, and investors, expands your reach in practical, measurable ways.
They also lift the curtain on how headhunters actually work, explaining the difference between retained and contingent searches, and how to stay visible across both. The conversation closes with insight on staying current, from testing new tools and attending industry events to making small, smart bets on innovation. It’s a practical, candid playbook for executives who want to stay relevant, connected, and ready when opportunity comes calling.
What You’ll Learn
- How to present yourself clearly in the market through your LinkedIn profile and résumé
- The key data points recruiters actually look for and how to make them instantly visible
- Why specialisation signals and career clarity drive faster callbacks
- The four networks that move an executive search forward (personal, headhunters, companies, investors)
- How to identify and work with retained vs. contingent headhunters effectively
- The best ways to approach companies and build authentic, non-transactional connections
- Why staying current with tech and industry trends gives you a competitive edge
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Episode Resources:
- Gerard Miles on LinkedIn
- Dan Hampton on LinkedIn
- Mission One: The Executive Edge on Apple Podcasts
- Mission One: The Executive Edge on Spotify
- Mission One: The Executive Edge on YouTube