The messy, weird, identity-questioning limbo between exec roles, and why search firms that can hold space for this are the ones who earn lifelong trust.
We don’t talk enough about the space between jobs.
Not the glossy resignation announcement or the new-title LinkedIn update, but the middle bit. The weird, quiet, unsettling bit.
High-achieving, deeply respected executives suddenly faced with open calendars and too much time to think. Even the most grounded leaders feel it. The uncertainty. The quiet identity crisis. The “what now?”
No one warns you that losing your title, whether by choice or circumstance, can feel like losing your compass.
Even if the severance is generous. Even if you were so ready to leave. There’s often a moment (or many) of doubt:
- Am I still relevant?
- Why haven’t I been snapped up yet?
- What if that was my peak?
We believe the best executive search firms don’t just show up when there’s a job to fill. They show up for this part too.
And here’s where we’re going to be honest.
At Marlin, we’re still early in our growth. We don’t have the capacity (yet) to have meaningful one-on-one conversations with every executive in transition. We’re laser-focused on filling the roles we’re currently retained for. Because right now, that’s what our clients need from us most.
But we still see you. Which is why we created Bluewater – a private, invite-only network that keeps exceptional leaders in the loop as the right opportunities emerge. It’s our way of keeping you in view and connected, even when we’re not actively working on a match today.
Because that weird in-between space matters. And it deserves more than silence.
So what can you do in the in-between?
Here are a few things we’ve seen great leaders do during this time—things that actually move the needle:
- Reconnect with your network – Not in a transactional way. Just let people know where you’re at. The best opportunities often come from quiet conversations.
- Get brutally honest about what you want next – Not the role, the impact. The problems you want to solve. The legacy you want to leave. (It makes you far more compelling when the right opportunity shows up.)
- Build your presence – Whether that’s updating your LinkedIn, contributing to an industry panel, or mentoring someone. You don’t need to be everywhere, but being seen in the right places matters.
- Rest with intention – You’ve been running at pace for years. This in-between time might be your only window to reset before the next chapter begins. Don’t waste it on panic-scrolling job boards.
You’re not invisible. You’re just between chapters. And when the time is right, we’ll be ready to help you write the next one.
In your corner,
Kate xx
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