Are You a Superstar?

New report today from ExecuNet lists the top 11 executive job functions currently in most demand. This is according to a recent survey of over 250 employer organizations. ExecuNet is a private network linking C-level talent with recruiting firms.

Getting top honors were Business Development (14.8%), Sales (12.9%), Operations Management (12.9%), General Management (10.3%), Finance (9.1%), Engineering (9.1%), Marketing (8.7%), MIS/IT (6.2%), Consulting (6.1%), R&D (5.7%) and Human Resources (3.5%).

Amid all of the doom and gloom hysteria over the recent finance and credit market tankings, it's encouraging to note that the demand is on the upswing for talent in key areas. True, this is for 6-figure C-level performers, but the important take away here is that the demand is now increasing in companies across the U.S. After hitting a bottom in January, a recent survey of 138 executive recruiters showed that 4 out of 5 expected at least a 10% increase (in search assignments) in the second half of 2008. That means demand for top talent in the executive suite is rising in spite of all the bad economic news you hear today. (source http://www.execunet.com/m_releases_content.cfm?id=4024)

So, if you're not a C-level player, what does this mean for you?

In all the areas mentioned above, these movers and shakers will need to build and manage superstar teams to revamp or bolster a new corporate entity that can compete more effectively in the next decade. These are not jobs that will go away or just be outsourced. But it will take a new mindset to compete. To be attractive today you need to think superstar. Superstars don't just think of jobs as paychecks. They think of a job as an opportunity to achieve results that can enhance their company….a project as a chance to go the extra mile…a crisis or challenge as a reason to change or improve on the status quo.

Take a look at your work history. Does your resume have examples that can fit into some of these criteria? If not, why not? If it does, then congratulations, because it's budding mindset of confident competence necessary to carry you through to the hire.

Are you a superstar?

Joe