Brevity, branding and networking could be key to executives landing a new job, according to James Wren, general manager, search products & user experience, at job board JobServe.

Wren says:  “Traditionally, a CV that synthesised an executive’s experience into a bulleted, two-page document was sufficient. In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, CVs that highlight experience, demonstrate ability to be a problem-solver, and offer examples and data that underscore an individual value proposition are far more effective in generating interviews and opportunities.

“The hidden executive employment market isn’t a myth - companies post just 11% of all £100k+ positions on public job boards or websites.

“New assignments placed with job boards are lagging far behind direct company recruitment. To create more career options, dedicate a portion of every day to building relationships with contacts outside of your current company. The best networkers embody the philosophy that it is better to give than to receive, as helping others leaves a lasting imprint on your network.”