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Securing a C-suite position is a rewarding experience, albeit a challenging one, but to achieve it you need to demonstrate certain skills, types of experience and milestones. Unfortunately, there isn’t a one size fits all approach to securing an executive position, however, there are proactive steps you can take.

In this article, we will look at a few of these and how your Cranfield alumni benefits can help you achieve your dream job.

Networking

Building a good network is an essential step to progressing your career. Many senior roles are no longer advertised so by networking with contacts both within and outside your organisation you can discover new opportunities.  

Being active on LinkedIn is a great starting point for this – share your latest achievements and updates, make personalised connection requests with professionals in your industry and be sure to join our  and  LinkedIn groups.

Tip: It is important to grow your network both online and offline. Keep an eye on our Cranfield  to start growing your network with us and connect with our international communities.

Career coaching

A career coach is the perfect resource to help you feel empowered and ready for leadership. They act as an external sounding board who can help you build a strategy that unlocks your potential and allows you to move forward towards the C-Suite with increased confidence and focus.

Tip: As a Cranfield alumnus, you can access  to help you explore the next stage of your career journey. 

Find a mentor

Finding a mentor who can work with you on a more personal level can be transformative for your career prospects. This could be someone senior within your business who you have a good rapport with, or perhaps someone already in a C-suite position in another business who you meet through your network. Your mentor can offer a different perspective, challenge and/or support you, keep you motivated and help you achieve your goals by holding you accountable.

Tip: °ä°ù²¹²Ô´Ú¾±±ð±ô»å’s&²Ô²ú²õ±è;Career mentoring programme offers you the opportunity to be supported with your career goals by a fellow member of our alumni community. 

Become a mentor

Why not change your focus and become the mentor? The ability to identify potential, develop the skills of others and bring out the best in them is vital to C-suite roles. Mentoring someone will give you the opportunity to practise and develop management and coaching skills, provide job enrichment and give you the chance to enhance your networks. It can also lead to increased self-confidence and higher visibility within your organisation or industry.

Tip: You may already know someone in your network or organisation who is looking for a mentor. Cranfield's Career mentoring programme also provides opportunities to get involved in mentoring.

Offer consultative support

Consultants gain a wide range of experience at different organisations, and in different industries. Plan your consulting strategy and seek out major names in your industry. This first-hand experience of different businesses or different areas can really make your CV stand out when the time comes to apply for that dream position – as well as help you make connections.

Tip: You don’t have to start your own business to be a consultant - you can start by offering your services to other areas of your organisation. 

Start your own business

Business founders are strong candidates for executive roles due to the decision-making and leadership skills they develop. Running your own business requires accountability, cross-disciplinary skills and clear decision making, all things valued in C-Suite positions. 

Tip: You can get help and advice from the Bettany Centre of Entrepreneurship. Take advantage of your alumni discount on Bettany Centre course fees, access support and guidance, attend events and network with like-minded business owners. 

Develop your skills

C-suite level executives need a strong set of skills and abilities. These skills include leadership and communication skills, management and talent development, leading innovation and change, and the ability to deal with conflict. You can develop these skills by leading projects and getting involved in mentoring.

Tip: As a Cranfield alumnus you can benefit from discounts on further study. Cranfield School of Management offers a generous 20% course fee discount to alumni on all School of Management course fees, including Cranfield Executive Development short courses and open programmes.

Read as much as you can

Many leading executives are famous for their reading habits -  and Warren Buffet is said to spend as much as 80% of his day reading. This may be an unrealistic number for most people, but the benefits of reading are clear and will provide a wide knowledge base. 

Tip: You have free lifelong access to the Alumni Library Online (ALO), wherever you are in the world. There are thousands of articles, reports, research papers, and publications that can help you keep up-to-date in your industry, learn about new areas of research and current trends and develop your employability skills. 

If a C-suite career is your personal career goal then developing your executive skills, networking and taking advantage of executive development will give you the best chance at securing that dream job.