Job Change for Big Company Executive

By Cord Harper, CEO of Endeavor Agency

May 1, 2023

Going through a job change is never easy, especially if you seek out an entirely different environment.


Endeavor recently helped a big company executive change their job to lead a small company.


“I’ve always led divisions of large companies,” the client said on their first visit. “Big budgets. Lots of resources. A team of people around me. That was my world.”


This time, the client wanted something different. The corporate politics of intrigue and climbing the ladder no longer appealed to them. “I think I would like to lead a start-up or a smaller company.”


The client and our Endeavor agent talked about it at length to make sure they knew what this kind of job change entailed. Smaller companies don’t have the same resources. You wear a lot of hats and have to roll up your sleeves to do quite a bit of the work yourself. Sometimes you just don’t have the bandwidth to do everything you want.


“Yes, that’s what I want,” they said.


It took some time and a lot of rebranding who they were and what they brought to the table. They had to translate that experience into the value it would bring to a small company. They also needed to overcome the inherent biases of age and refocus on the value of their experience.


Instead of dreading going to work each day, now they can’t wait to get in and help build and grow the small company they lead.

About Endeavor Agency


Endeavor Agency is the nation’s leading company helping individual executives, VPs, senior managers, professionals, and physicians find the jobs they truly want. Our additional resources, expertise, and career change specialists help our clients uncover more and better job opportunities than what they could access on their own.


Endeavor Agency helps rebrand clients to effectively communicate their value throughout the interview process and increase their odds dramatically of winning offers. Additionally, Endeavor Agency helps clients achieve better results in negotiating the terms of their employment agreements.


Endeavor Agency also provides executive coachingoutplacement services, and business consulting services. Endeavor can also help guide executives focused on the private equity and venture capital market segments.

Professional networking conversation between business professionals discussing career opportunities
By Cord Harper June 8, 2026
Learn how building relationships inside target companies can uncover hidden jobs, improve interview preparation, and increase your chances of an employee referral.
Professionals building authentic business relationships during a conference networking conversation
By Cord Harper May 27, 2026
Discover how a handshake at a conference can lead to meaningful follow-up conversations and genuine relationship-building create long-term career opportunities.
Senior executive working remotely while managing multiple fractional leadership clients
By Cord Harper May 26, 2026
Fractional executive roles can seem appealing, but many leaders underestimate all the challenges involved. Learn the hidden realities of fractional CxO work.
two executives giving a high-five to each other after one gave a referral in their job search
By Cord Harper May 20, 2026
For Endeavor Agency, receiving referrals from current and former clients is not only great for us; they also benefit the clients' colleagues and also themselves.
College graduate not getting career coaching guidance for job search success during college
By Cord Harper May 18, 2026
Many college graduates struggle with underemployment and unclear career direction. Learn why networking and professional career coaching are becoming essential.
tiles of letters that spell out
By Cord Harper May 11, 2026
Sophisticated job scams often target executive candidates with realistic offers and impersonated recruiters. Learn how to identify red flags and protect your search.
A CEO and CFO contemplating a job switch as a team.
By Cord Harper May 7, 2026
When senior leaders navigate career moves together, the strategy changes. Learn how career coaching for executives supports complex, team-based job searches.
Executive job seeker working with their career coaching expert going over charts developed by AI
By Cord Harper April 27, 2026
AI can help in an executive job search, but it can't tell your story, open the right doors, or navigate a negotiation. Here's what human career coaching does better.
executive job seeker at home exhausted sitting at computer contemplating next steps in job search
By Cord Harper April 20, 2026
Stay motivated during your executive job hunt by leveraging small wins, momentum, and proven psychology to maintain consistent progress and avoid burnout.
man looking at phone shocked he did not get the job he wanted
By Cord Harper April 16, 2026
Executive job rejection can impact confidence, finances, and mental health. Learn how executive job seekers can manage rejection effectively during a long job hunt.
More Posts