Nobody has to tell you to network. You didn't get to the executive level without knowing how to network, whether you called it that or not. Most people get jobs (including manager jobs) through contacts, so the more people you're in contact with, the better your chances. With the unemployment rate as high as it is right now, nobody has to be ashamed to say they're out of work. It happens: companies go bankrupt or drastically cut back on staff, people take voluntary buyouts from companies looking to cut back, and there are plenty of executives who have taken time off to raise children and want to re-enter the workforce.
Whatever your situation, you should be telling as many people as possible that you're looking for a new executive position. And remember, "Contacts" includes everyone from former co-workers to the lady that's been doing your dry cleaning for 10 years. You never know which people might know. Contacts from professional organizations that you belong to can be helpful as can contacts in civic groups you participate in. Your best lead might come from someone who has nothing to do with your area of expertise - you just never know.
LinkedIn and Facebook are two excellent networking opportunities. LinkedIn is very professionally oriented, and you can join professional clubs right on the site. Facebook can be professionally oriented if you design your Facebook account that way. Your Facebook account should have a good photograph of your face, and the information in your profile should be more formal than the average Facebook account. While networking on Facebook is a great way to expand your circle of contacts, it is important that you do it in a grown-up and professional manner.
If you are employed full time and hope to find something better on the time scale of a few months to a few years, then do everything you can in your present job to raise your visibility: author technical papers; present research at professional society meetings; serve if asked to be on the board of directors for the local library or other civic organization; and basically do what you can to ensure that nobody forgets your name. If you have the time, consider additional part time jobs consulting in your field of expertise.
Refine your resume, and then refine it some more. Often, when editing your resume, it is best to edit or write it, and then let it sit for a few days before you send it to anyone. After you've had a day or two away from your resume, you can see it with fresher insight, and errors you may not have caught before will become more visible.
Learn what you can about online personal branding. Though it may be a little scary, type your name into a search engine and see what's out there about you. It's up to you to ensure that information about you on the internet is accurate and reflects the professional that you are. To help your online personal branding, you can create a Google profile, start a blog related to your profession, or write book reviews in your field of expertise on Amazon.com.
It is important to set aside time every day specifically for job hunting. If you're currently not working, then you can block out a fairly large chunk of time to devote to every aspect of the job hunt, including searching for part time jobs, manager jobs, and sales jobs. But if you're currently employed and looking elsewhere, see if you can devote one hour per night to the hunt for an executive job.
Do not be discouraged if you don't find what you want right away, or if you have to consider part time jobs to make ends meet. You made it to the level of an executive for a reason, and there's no reason you can't be in that corner office again, with big responsibilities, big challenges, and a generous salary to go with it.
