| Finding the right CEO job is never an easy task. | | | | search firm Heidrick & Struggles, you need to |
| Today, with training budgets decreasing and salaries | | | | "make sure your work history contains a combination |
| strained, it is even more difficult. At the same time, | | | | of line and staff responsibilities that provide you with |
| the need for top talent is growing all the time. | | | | experience at both the conceptual and action levels." |
| According to outplacement firm Challenger, Gray | | | | In addition, you need to take responsibility for your |
| & Christmas, a record number of chief | | | | own professional development. If you see your |
| executives left their jobs in 2008. As Tom Stemberg, | | | | current job title as limiting, move beyond it. Tell your |
| the founder of Staples explains, "The CEO job today | | | | boss that you would like more responsibility and look |
| is more stressful and draining than at any time in | | | | for opportunities to advance. Be direct with your |
| history." | | | | boss during your annual reviews. Ask what you can |
| For business people working up the corporate ladder | | | | do to advance, what your shortcomings are and how |
| this could, of course, be good news. More vacancies | | | | you should address them, how you can build on your |
| mean more chances for you to become a CEO. | | | | strengths and more. |
| According to well known executive recruiter Dennis | | | | Certainly, it goes without saying that you need to |
| Carey, a well-planned succession process needs to | | | | excel in your current position if you hope to move up |
| understand that one size doesn't fit all companies, | | | | to CEO. If you are always looking to the next |
| and that the roster and ranking of potential | | | | position and putting all of your energy into moving up, |
| successors may shift as the company's strategy | | | | you may be ignoring your current position. Make sure |
| shifts over time. With this lengthy process in mind, it's | | | | that you are putting a sufficient amount of energy |
| essential to consider the following tips for becoming a | | | | into your current position and that you are doing |
| CEO in an ever-changing market. | | | | your job exceptionally well. |
| When searching for a CEO position, you can boost | | | | Finally, while you may have your heart set on |
| your chances by understanding and accommodating | | | | becoming the CEO of your current company, you |
| the many ways that companies select their senior | | | | may find that you need to campaign elsewhere at |
| managers. Many firms promote their senior | | | | some point. If you see that the current CEO has |
| executives through a set pattern, usually promoting | | | | more than a decade left to work, or you see that |
| from president and COO to CEO. Whether or not | | | | your division is having budget cuts, it may be time to |
| this process makes sense, it's important to | | | | look elsewhere for advancement. Keeping your |
| understand their thinking process. According to Gerry | | | | options open - and your eyes open - just might lead |
| Roche, senior chairman of Chicago-based executive | | | | you to the right position in another company. |