Want Executive Attention? Try This Strategy!

What If You Could Get Executive Attention During Your Job Search?

What if you could stand out in your job search in a way that not only impresses the hiring team—but actually earns the attention of a company executive?

During my own job search, I discovered a strategy that consistently helped me demonstrate true fit for a role: I created a brief, high-value project tailored to the company, then shared it directly with the hiring manager or an executive.

And I’ll say this clearly:

It has helped me every single time.
Read that again.

A Real Example: How I Got a CEO’s Attention

At one point, I was interviewing with a company that sold automobile mechanic shop software called Identifix.

Instead of relying only on interview preparation and answers, I decided to go deeper and understand the customer experience firsthand.

Here’s what I did:

✅ I called two Christian Brothers Automotive locations (their logo appeared on the Identifix website).
✅ I spoke directly with managers at both shops.
✅ I asked questions like:

• How do you use the software day-to-day?

• What challenges have you experienced?

• How was your buying experience and onboarding process?
  
  

✅ Then I called the Identifix sales line myself and sat through a 45-minute sales pitch as if I were a potential customer.

I Turned This Into a One-Page Insight Brief

After gathering insights, I created a one-page summary of observations and recommendations—a concise document that highlighted:

• What was working well

• What customers were frustrated with

• Opportunities to improve the sales process and customer experience

• Strategic recommendations the company could implement immediately

Then I sent it directly to the CEO.

He responded.

That single document became a powerful differentiator in my candidacy. It helped me stand out beyond the resume and the interview—and positioned me as someone who could deliver value before even being hired.

Why This Strategy Works

When you do a project like this, you’re doing more than “showing initiative.”

You’re demonstrating:

✅ Strategic thinking
✅ Curiosity and ownership
✅ A value-first mindset
✅ Customer understanding
✅ Communication skills
✅ The ability to produce professional-quality deliverables

You’re essentially answering the hiring manager’s real question:

“Can this person do the job?”

And you’re doing it with evidence.

A Bonus Benefit: Reusable Career Assets

One of the best parts?

When I create a project like this, I not only get the attention I’m aiming for—I also generate a reusable career asset.

That one-pager becomes:

• A portfolio piece

• A conversation starter in interviews

• Proof of your work quality and thinking

• A repeatable framework you can apply to future opportunities
  
  

This approach is one of the strategies I teach in my program because it consistently produces results—especially for candidates who want to break through the noise and position themselves at a higher level.

If you’ve been applying and interviewing but still feel like you’re blending in, this is exactly the kind of move that can change your outcome.

Brian Howard
Job Seeker Pro