With unemployment at its lowest level in 10 years (latest unemployment figures show a rate of 6%), the Irish economy is prospering through delivering high quality jobs and securing a steady supply of Foreign Direct Investment.
This bodes well for the economy at large and means that exciting and well-paid opportunities will continue to become available at C-Level in companies operating in Ireland within the coming months and years.
Despite reports of an ‘overheating economy’ as reported by the OECD last week (with the reported rate of annual home price growth now at 13%), the outlook for the economy is positive as it sustains its position as a competitive player on the global stage for employment.
C-Level positions such as Chief Executive, Chief Information Officer or Chief Financial Officer are key to the running of any successful modern business, however, getting placed in such roles is highly competitive and requires forward planning, strategic thinking and market insight.
See below for our top 4 tips on how to reach the heights of C-Level in our ever changing and growing economy;
1. Get to know the direction and trajectory of your chosen sector
Whether it be tech, finance, professional services or any other sector, getting to know the direction of that industry is going in will be key when seeking to develop your CV and when pitching for a C-Level position.
For example, when we look at the impact that Artificial Intelligence will have in the world of tech, gaining an in-depth understanding and a reputation as a thought leader in that area will be hugely beneficial as it becomes more integral to everyday practices.
2. Increase your visibility
Further to the above, being able to translate your knowledge, expertise and achievements to a targeted audience is key in ensuring that your public profile is strongly associated with your specific area of work. Developing a visible profile means that you will be more likely to be approached for public speaking opportunities, board positions and entrusted with providing strategic advice to fellow professionals. Activities of this nature will then strengthen a resume and will be greatly beneficial to your journey up the career ladder to C-Level.
3. Be able to demonstrate industry impact and achievements
Being able to demonstrate the positive impact your employment has had to the industry or your employer is essential in being viewed as an attractive proposition for top business roles. This is true at any level, however it’s even more pronounced at C-Level.
Someone who can clearly identify how a company flourished as a result of their decisions and application is someone who will attract notable employment opportunities. Companies now, more than ever before, look for demonstrated growth, percentages and figures when employing at the top level, thus having an awareness in these areas is critical if you’re looking for a C-Level appointment.
4. Show you can inspire, provide leadership & apply excellence within people management
Developing leadership experience through professional training can help to enhance and nurture people management skills. At present, Ireland is weak on post-graduate professional training despite having large numbers of under-graduates, thus taking initiative in this regard could really help make you stand out from the crowd.
Even within sectors where face to face engagement is less prominent than others, the expectations of employers, employees and consumers have changed significantly. The social media age has enhanced the need for high standards of people management and has created new precedents globally.
A C-Level leader should be able to perform confidently in a public facing capacity and convey leadership in both written and verbal forms.
Utilising opportunities for media training and leadership mentoring can provide positive developmental training and can help to develop means through which to convey leadership qualities.
