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Discover Your Talent Profile: Where Do You Fit?

​In today's competitive job market, understanding your unique value and where you fit within the talent landscape is essential. Navigating your career path effectively requires a clear sense of your strengths, experiences, and potential growth areas. At CKG Search, we categorise talent into four distinct groups, each offering a unique set of skills and potential for advancement. According to a recent LinkedIn report, professionals who clearly understand their career strengths and align them with their goals are 85% more likely to advance faster and achieve greater job satisfaction. By identifying your profile, you can better align your career goals, seek out the right opportunities, and communicate your value to potential employers more effectively. It is important to note that this framework is tailored for senior search assignments and does not apply to more junior roles.

Determine Your Talent Profile: A Self-Assessment

Answer the following questions to identify which talent profile you best fit into. Each answer has a score. At the end, add up your scores to see your profile.​

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1. How would you describe your current level of experience?

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  1. I’m just starting out in my career (1 point)

  2. I have some experience and am looking for my next step (2 points)

  3. I have significant experience in my field (3 points)

  4. I am highly experienced and have led teams/projects (4 points)

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2. How do you approach new challenges at work?

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  1. With high enthusiasm and eagerness to learn (1 point)

  2. With confidence, ready to take on more responsibility (2 points)

  3. With calmness and experience, adapting quickly (3 points)

  4. With strategic thinking and a proven track record (4 points)

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3. How much time do you typically need to ramp up in a new role?

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  1. I need some time to get up to speed (1 point)

  2. I require minimal time to adapt (2 points)

  3. I can hit the ground running (3 points)

  4. I integrate quickly and start making impactful changes (4 points)

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4. What type of role are you seeking next?

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  1. An entry-level position to grow and learn (1 point)

  2. A leadership role with room to grow (2 points)

  3. A strategic role with substantial responsibility (3 points)

  4. A top-level position where I can influence and drive change (4 points)

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5. How would your colleagues describe your work style?

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  1. Enthusiastic and driven (1 point)

  2. Thoughtful and energetic (2 points)

  3. Experienced and calm (3 points)

  4. Unflappable and strategic (4 points)

6. What is your main career goal?

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  1. To gain experience and grow within a company (1 point)

  2. To step into a leadership role (2 points)

  3. To find a new challenge and expand my responsibilities (3 points)

  4. To lead and shape the direction of a business (4 points)

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7. How long do you typically stay in a role?

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  1. I’m looking for long-term stability (1 point)

  2. I plan to grow with the company over several years (2 points)

  3. I stay until I’ve achieved my goals, usually a few years (3 points)

  4. I stay as long as I have opportunities for greater influence (4 points)

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8. What is your approach to professional development?

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  1. I am eager to learn and develop through structured plans (1 point)

  2. I seek opportunities to grow alongside my role (2 points)

  3. I take on new challenges to continuously develop (3 points)

  4. I look for strategic growth opportunities to enhance my influence (4 points)

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9. What drives you in your career?

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  1. Enthusiasm and the desire to learn (1 point)

  2. The opportunity to step up and lead (2 points)

  3. The need for new challenges and environments (3 points)

  4. The ambition to drive change and shape strategy (4 points)

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10. What kind of impact do you aim to have in your next role?

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  1. To contribute and grow over the long term (1 point)

  2. To lead and develop within the company (2 points)

  3. To bring experience and achieve significant goals (3 points)

  4. To influence and drive substantial change (4 points)

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Your Reponses

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Question

Points

1

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2

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3

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4

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5

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6

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7

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8

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9

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10

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Tally

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Scoring

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10-15 points:

You are Profile 1 – The Challenger

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16-25 points:

You are Profile 2 – Leader in Waiting

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26-35 points:

You are Profile 3 – Seasoned Operator

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36-40 points:

You are Profile 4 – Transformative Leader

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So, what does this mean for you? Let's look at the profiles in detail.

The Talent Profiles: A Brief Look

Profile 1 –THE CHALLENGER

Are you a junior-level professional bursting with enthusiasm and drive? As The Challenger, you have consistently operated above your peers throughout your career and have always been a high performer, often ahead of others at your PQE level. You thrive on learning and development opportunities and are eager to prove yourself in a dynamic environment. You are drawn to start-ups orsectors en vogue but should be mindful not to hitch your wagon to a business that could fold easily, risking your job security and development. With a well-structured onboarding and development plan, you're set for a successful career journey. You bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas, and with the right guidance, you can grow into a highly skilled and dependable leader.

Profile 2 -LEADER IN WAITING

If you are mid-level and ready to step into a head of role, this profile is you. You have the skills and energy to excel but need the right platform. Poised to become Head of when your current supervisor moves on, you require minimal ramp-up time and are committed to growing alongside the business. You have demonstrated your capability to lead teams and projects, showing a strong track record of performance. You have also taken it upon yourself to complete additional and complementory studies, such as the AICD course. Your strategic thinking and ability to inspire others make you a valuable candidate for organisations looking to cultivate leadership from within.

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Expert Insight: "Leaders in Waiting often exhibit a unique blend of ambition and capability. Their readiness to step up is crucial for businesses seeking to nurture internal talent," says James Burke, Partner at HP People (a Growth Leadership Consultancy).

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Profile 3 -SEASONED OPERATOR

With extensive experience in similar roles, you're likely seeking new challenges and/or environments. Seasoned Operators bring calm, experience, and are ready to hit the ground running. Typically, a 3–7-year post, you are eager to expand your responsibilities quickly and make a significant impact. Often, you are moving due to changes in your company, such as leadership change, delisting, or acquisition, or you have worked yourself out of a role by establishing a thriving legal function that no longer requires someone of your level. Your deep industry knowledge and problem-solving skills enable you to navigate complex situations with ease. You are looking for an environment where your expertise is valued and where you can continue to grow and contribute at a high level, driving both personal and organisational success.

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Case Study: A 16 PQE Corporate Transactions Lawyer, or “Seasoned Operator,” transitioned from an ASX300 company to an ASX100 company with the help of CKG Search. Leveraging her extensive experience and leadership intelligence, she streamlined and elevated the legal and governance function after the company experienced years of turnover and regulatory disruptions. Within her first year, she increased the efficiency of the legal function by 32% while reducing legal spend by 27%. The legal function subsequently restructured, promoting two Senior Legal Counsel to deputy roles and hiring three new Legal Counsel. This provided team members with their own development opportunities and increased team engagement and happiness.

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Profile 4 -TRANSFORMATIVE LEADER

At the top of your field, you bring extensive and demonstrable experience. Transformative Leaders tend to shape businesses, teams, or functions around themselves and are typically brought in to address critical issues that require their unique expertise. Think top ASX-listed businesses, businesses under high levels of regulatory scrutiny (such as during a Royal Commission, complex litigation, or investigation), businesses looking to acquire competitors, or those preparing for an IPO. You are the "big guns" brought in to navigate these high-stakes situations. These professionals are unflappable and battle-tested, known for their ability to deliver under pressure and lead through challenging times. Typically, a 2–4-year post, you are looking for roles that offer a clear path to greater influence and responsibilities, allowing you to leverage your vast experience to make a transformative impact.

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Case Study: A senior legal and governance professional, embodying the qualities of a Transformative Leader, joined a business under intense regulatory scrutiny. She overhauled the legal and governance functions, educated the board and senior management, and navigated the company through a challenging acquisition during a period of negative market perception. Through strategic initiatives, she restructured the legal department, introduced robust compliance protocols, and fostered a culture of accountability. Her efforts enabled the business to emerge from the regulatory investigation and litigation successfully. The company is now regarded as a role model in the industry. This Transformative Leader has since moved on and is currently leading another high-stakes project.

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By identifying your Profile, you can better align your career goals and seek out the right opportunities. Understanding your strengths and where you fit in the talent landscape is crucial for targeting roles that match your skills and aspirations. At CKG Search, we are dedicated to helping you navigate your career path, no matter which Profile you fall into. We offer personalised guidance and support to help you achieve your career objectives. Whether you're a Challenger looking for the perfect greenfield opportunity to kickstart your leadership career, a Leader in Waiting seeking a platform to excel and showcase your leadership potential, a Seasoned Operator ready for new challenges and environments, or a Transformative Leader aiming to make a significant impact, we can connect you with the right opportunities to match your aspirations.

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Our team of experts brings extensive industry knowledge and a deep understanding of the job market. We work closely with you to understand your professional aspirations, provide valuable insights, and match you with roles that suit your experience and ambitions. Our bespoke approach ensures that you are not just another candidate but a valued professional on a path to success. We are committed to your growth and will support you every step of the way, from initial consultation to securing your ideal role.

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In addition to our core services, we offer enhanced support tailored to your leadership development. Our team of Leadership & Strategy Consultants focuses on helping you become the next generation of Growth Leaders. We provide cutting-edge talent solutions to enable your career to scale from Series A to ASX 200 levels. Our track record for developing outstanding leaders is entrenched in our 5-science methodology, Perform IQ™. You will benefit from 1-to-1 and group executive coaching, career planning, and a suite of signature programs for team building, cultural engineering, growth strategy, and health & wellbeing.

Reach out to us today to explore opportunities that align with your Profile and career aspirations. Let CKG Search be your trusted partner in building a successful and fulfilling career, providing you with the tools, connections, and support necessary to achieve your professional goals.

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