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Hi Guys,

I am not 100% happy with my current employment. 

In my current role I work with a lot of customers; at a very senior level (CxO and VPs).  The assignments are usually short (9 months) and the relationship is largely formal as it is in a competitive enviornment.  However, that said, I believe that I demonstrated some excellence and competence :-).

Therefore, I am thinking about approaching them to test the water to see if they have any positions available.  However I require some guidance on the best approach this.  My thought was email instead of phone, but struggling how to approach this in an email - i.e the wording.

I.e too friendly looks false, whilst too formal is just not right.

Can anyone share some thoughts and ideas (e.g. sample letter) of how to approach a senior exec for a employment.

Thanks

A.

thaGUma's picture

A, please do not leave something this important to an email. If you are going to risk talking to your clients, you better have AAA relationships or the next call they make will be to your boss.If you solicit openly you risk exposure and zero career.

In my profession, calls of this type would hinge on a statement in answer to "how are you" like "I don't know, sometimes I feel like a change" . If the client doesn't bite, let it drop. It's all about relationships and emails don't build that realationship.

Chris

jhack's picture

A few thoughts: 

First, don't move too quickly.  You're employed, you can take your time.  This is, literally, a career defining moment.  It is fraught with risk, and email would be a disaster.  Asking a client for a job is a rookie move, not an executive move.  The answer will almost certainly be "No."   

Second, there are typically pretty strict agreements between consulting firms and their clients about hiring one another's employees.  You risk running afoul of those agreements. 

Third, get the interview series, and get yourself organized.  Know what you're doing and why, through and through. 

Fourth, you need to network.  You should check out podcasts on networking, on handling recruiters, and on asking for reference.  There is a very powerful little hint in there that will save you not only your reputation but perhaps your career trajectory.   Hint:  you never ask if they have a job opening.   You're networking, and asking for their help in your networking effort. 

John Hack