Becoming director/executive without exec pressance

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being short is not a problem. Yes, tall people get some preference in general but it is not going to stop you from moving into a role.

I am giving this feedback kindly because you seem aware that your voice is distinctive in some way and really looking for candid advice. If you have a really distracting voice, you are unlikely to be placed in a role that involves meeting with prominent customers. It just won’t happen. Instead of being discouraged, shift your sights on a leadership track that is internal - operations, inside sales, etc. Now you may not become SVP but you can definitely become a director and go from there.

Hope that helps.

I’m aware that I’m a Charlie Day in life, hence why I did nerdy scientific work for the government. But those days are older so I got to figure out how to leverage what I am capable of to make up for the values that corporate America priorities.

*days are over

It couldn’t hurt to work on your writing skills a bit. ”…I got to think…”; “…corporate America priorities”.

Also, it’s possible you are thinking too much about how you think an executive needs to present and maybe also feeling some resentment. I have definitely seen executives who do not fit what might be the typical view of executive presence at all. But they have talent, knowledge, and leadership abilities. They moved up into higher level positions because they knew their stuff- not because of how they looked or dressed.

This. Anecdotally tech is a lot more receptive to this since many employees there are neurodivergent to start (and many don’t / can’t mask).

If you can make proper eye contact during conversation that puts you ahead 50% of the pack at some of these companies. How your voice sounds won’t cross their mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being short is not a problem. Yes, tall people get some preference in general but it is not going to stop you from moving into a role.

I am giving this feedback kindly because you seem aware that your voice is distinctive in some way and really looking for candid advice. If you have a really distracting voice, you are unlikely to be placed in a role that involves meeting with prominent customers. It just won’t happen. Instead of being discouraged, shift your sights on a leadership track that is internal - operations, inside sales, etc. Now you may not become SVP but you can definitely become a director and go from there.

Hope that helps.

I’m aware that I’m a Charlie Day in life, hence why I did nerdy scientific work for the government. But those days are older so I got to figure out how to leverage what I am capable of to make up for the values that corporate America priorities.

*days are over

It couldn’t hurt to work on your writing skills a bit. ”…I got to think…”; “…corporate America priorities”.

Also, it’s possible you are thinking too much about how you think an executive needs to present and maybe also feeling some resentment. I have definitely seen executives who do not fit what might be the typical view of executive presence at all. But they have talent, knowledge, and leadership abilities. They moved up into higher level positions because they knew their stuff- not because of how they looked or dressed.

This. Anecdotally tech is a lot more receptive to this since many employees there are neurodivergent to start (and many don’t / can’t mask).

If you can make proper eye contact during conversation that puts you ahead 50% of the pack at some of these companies. How your voice sounds won’t cross their mind.

Tech employees maybe. Not management and execs.

[Anonymous]

[twitter]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Being short is not a problem. Yes, tall people get some preference in general but it is not going to stop you from moving into a role.

I am giving this feedback kindly because you seem aware that your voice is distinctive in some way and really looking for candid advice. If you have a really distracting voice, you are unlikely to be placed in a role that involves meeting with prominent customers. It just won’t happen. Instead of being discouraged, shift your sights on a leadership track that is internal - operations, inside sales, etc. Now you may not become SVP but you can definitely become a director and go from there.

Hope that helps.

I’m aware that I’m a Charlie Day in life, hence why I did nerdy scientific work for the government. But those days are older so I got to figure out how to leverage what I am capable of to make up for the values that corporate America priorities.

*days are over

It couldn’t hurt to work on your writing skills a bit. ”…I got to think…”; “…corporate America priorities”.

Also, it’s possible you are thinking too much about how you think an executive needs to present and maybe also feeling some resentment. I have definitely seen executives who do not fit what might be the typical view of executive presence at all. But they have talent, knowledge, and leadership abilities. They moved up into higher level positions because they knew their stuff- not because of how they looked or dressed.

This. Anecdotally tech is a lot more receptive to this since many employees there are neurodivergent to start (and many don’t / can’t mask).

If you can make proper eye contact during conversation that puts you ahead 50% of the pack at some of these companies. How your voice sounds won’t cross their mind.

Tech employees maybe. Not management and execs.

Tech is losing workers rapidly. Unless you're in AI, job prospects are bleak, especially at 50 like OP.

[Anonymous]

His bigger issue is can he get past take home task, problem solver and bar raiser type interviews.

I worked a fintech and I could recommend people. My recommendation. Quick softball interview you get vote to be hired.

Then for QA, separated trained people do the take home review, problem solver interview and bar raiser. I recommended two or three middle aged people DC type people in quasi give roles like Fannie type places who were laid off and none could pass it.

They don’t care if you have three heads. But none passes the three interviews.

My favorite in bar raiser my guy said he is a quick learner. Dude you are interviewing to be a controller in Finance. You just said you don’t know how to do it but will learn.