Total search time: 10 months (June–April)
Lead source: Networking
- Conversation with a contact at a PE firm with fractional opportunity
Job landed time (1st interview to offer):
- ~10 weeks (fractional engagement → full-time offer)
Search approach:
- Jumped into interviews immediately after layoff—no break, no strategy
- Burned out fast; realized they were interviewing for jobs they didn’t want
- Pivoted after reading Never Search Alone and hiring a coach (Catherine Altman Morgan)
- Clarified goal: Move beyond CMO to broader role
- Shifted pitch: “Open to full-time and fractional”
Interview process:
- Began as fractional CMO
- Identified major operational gaps through initial engagement
- Built internal relationships (esp. new CRO and CEO)
- Proactively pitched combined CMO/COO role after a few months
- CEO and co-founder aligned quickly—offer followed within days
Negotiation process:
- Candidate created the role—pitched it as cost-effective and strategic
- Full-time offer included flexibility for side projects
- No formal back-and-forth—trust built during fractional phase
- Key line from founder: “I don’t need to vet you. You’re a cultural fit.”
Lessons learned:
- Don't rush in:“Interviewing for jobs you don’t want still kills your confidence.”
- Fractional isn't a compromise—it's a launchpad: “I was much more respected as a fractional consultant… I found that what you say matters more than when you're full time.”
- Clarity drives confidence: Working with an executive coach helped crystallize a long-held desire to be a COO and reshaped how the candidate positioned themselves.
- Build the role you want:“The worst thing that can happen is they say no. So advocate for yourself.”
- Post on LinkedIn: Weekly posts built credibility and visibility among target audiences, particularly founders and CEOs.
- Rest matters. Grief and burnout cloud strategic thinking. Even a week of a TRUE break makes a difference.
- Time management in a skill: Fractional work built stronger calendar discipline.
- Build around your niche: Know your ICP—target founders if that’s your sweet spot.
