The ‘great resignation’ of lower and mid-level workers leaving their jobs at unprecedented rates is a startling event for employers worldwide. C-suites and the VP ranks are not immune from the trend—executives are reevaluating what they want to do going forward and a not insignificant number are considering a career change. AESC discussed possible drivers and outcomes for today’s executives considering a career change with executive coach Simeon Wong, who leads executive career services for AESC’s BlueSteps.
AESC: Is the ‘great resignation’ affecting employees at the highest levels? What trends do you see among your clients?
SIMEON WONG: Out of more than 500 conversations with executive coaching clients, I’d estimate that about 30-40% are looking for a career change or more precisely, a ‘career reset.’ These are established leaders at the VP executive-level or above who want to do something new, something different.
Since 1959, the Association of Executive Search and Leadership Consultants (AESC) has set the quality standard for the executive search and leadership consulting profession. Its members are the leaders in executive talent and leadership advisory solutions. AESC facilitates diverse and innovative thinking in global leadership. World-class executive search and leadership consulting firms join AESC to demonstrate their deep commitment to the quality standard AESC represents and to shape the future of the profession. Business leaders worldwide retain AESC members as trusted advisors to minimize risk and gain competitive advantage in their industries.
The BlueSteps Career Management Blog is written with a C-level audience in mind on career management topics ranging from executive compensation, executive resumes, and interview tips to networking, executive job search, and gaining visibility as a professional in one’s industry. The BlueSteps Executive Search Blog links senior executive candidates to actual retained search recruitment insights from AESC member executive recruiters, BlueSteps career advisors and other guest writers.
