The executive career move: a 90-day plan
A well-run executive career move follows three 30-day phases: Clarity (days 1–30: direction, criteria, narrative), Foundation (days 31–60: resume, LinkedIn, search relationships), and Activation (days 61–90: targeted signals, conversations, prioritization). Most people who stall skipped phase one.
Days 1–30: Clarity — direction before speed
Resist the urge to "get moving." The first 30 days are about the decision basis: what was the best and hardest part of your recent roles? Which mandate do you thrive in — turnaround, growth, consolidation? Which company types, ownership structures, and cultures fit how you lead? Close the phase with three concrete deliverables: an objective (role/scope/industry), your non-negotiables, and your core narrative — the through-line connecting your track record to your next move.
Days 31–60: Foundation — build before you send
Now the direction becomes material and infrastructure: an executive resume angled at the target, a searchable LinkedIn profile, and the first confidential conversations with selected search consultants in your industry. In parallel, map your target market: 20–40 companies where your next move could logically sit, with names of the relevant decision-makers.
Days 61–90: Activation — few, sharp signals
With the foundation in place, you activate the market: warm introductions through the network, targeted outreach to the target companies, and follow-up on the search relationships. Run a weekly prioritization — which three opportunities deserve your time right now? — and let the rest wait. Quality in a few processes beats activity in many.
After day 90: the rhythm
Executive processes typically run 3–9 months from first signal to signed contract. After the first 90 days, the job is rhythm: keep relationships warm, follow up with relevant signs of life, and adjust the narrative to what the market tells you. This is where a structured platform — and at the top tiers, a personal agent — makes the difference between momentum and coincidence.
How long does an executive move usually take?
Plan on 6–12 months from decision to signature at the executive level. It can move faster when the foundation is already in place before the right opportunity shows up — that's the whole point of building in order.
I've been let go — does the plan still apply?
Yes, just compressed: clarity matters even more, because the pressure to grab the next thing is strongest in transition. One week of structured clarity can save you from a mis-move that costs years.