Best of 2024: Challenge Accepted Europe

December 27, 2024 | CareerAngels | In the Spotlight
Best of 2024: Challenge Accepted Europe

Best of 2024: Challenge Accepted Europe

About the initiative: we – Career Angels – have been providing a safe space for experienced managers and executives – a confidential community for managers throughout Europe who have accepted the challenge of looking for a job (actively or passively), so that they can share their experiences, support each other through listening, words of encouragement and information, and inspire each other.

Each session is designed with a clear focus on providing actionable strategies that participants can implement immediately. Beyond the practical advice, the discussions encourage invaluable peer networking, creating a unique blend of support and professional growth.

What made 2024 special?

This year we saw a great level of engagement. The initiative has become a trusted place for executives from different industries and countries to come together, share, and grow.

Challenge Accepted 2024 – in numbers

This year, we organized 10 events (with a well-deserved summer break), covering topics such as:

  • Executive identity & salary negotiations – the how to
  • Networking techniques for executives
  • Does your CV land interviews?- with real examples
  • Contact decision makers directly – why LinkedIn doesn’t work (& what does)
  • Hack LinkedIn for your job search
  • Headhunt the headhunter for your job search!
  • Career decisions: heart vs. mind – who wins? And what can you do about it?
  • Executive Job Market – how to generate interviews in 2024
  • What’s your executive USP? – story crafting & telling
  • Strategic interviewing for executives

Over 60 participants joined from across Europe, representing a diverse mix of nationalities and professional backgrounds:

  • 16% from DACH
  • 10% from Italy
  • 5% from e.g. Belgium, France, Netherlands, etc.
  • 66% of the participants come from C/SEE, incl. Poland, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine, Czechia, Latvia, Russia, North Macedonia
  • 3% from Scandinavia: Norway and Sweden

Participants included managers and senior leaders from a wide range of industries:

  • 13% CEOs, Country Managers, Business Unit Directors
  • 25% CFOs
  • 13% COOs
  • 21% Sales / BD / Marketing Directors
  • 5% HR Managers / Directors
  • 8% CIOs / CTOs
  • the remaining 15% incl. Administration / Planning / Delivery Directors, Business Advisors, etc.

Reflections from 2024

Here’s what participants shared about their experiences:

“The sessions were of exceptional quality. Thank you for organizing them!”
“Hats off to the Angels for launching such a brilliant and impactful initiative!”
“Appreciate today’s meeting – the level of professionalism was outstanding, as always.”
“The before-and-after CV examples were incredibly eye-opening – thank you!”
“A big thank you to everyone! These meetings are a source of real inspiration.”
“I’m so grateful to have connected with such wonderful and insightful people – both organizers and participants!”
“A heartfelt thank you for an excellent and highly valuable session!”
“What a fantastic evening! Career Angels, your efforts are much appreciated. It was great to hear everyone’s stories.”

Want to learn more?

The free online meetings are dedicated to specific career & job search topics and provide networking opportunities. And there are more to come! Coming up:

If you’re thinking of attending yourself, think of these sessions as “actual” meetings, as they always include several opportunities to network. Be ready to fully engage & contribute. If you plan on passively listening only, this is not for you.

The structure of the meetings:
17:45 – 18:00 arrival & networking round #1
Participants arriving after 18:00 will not be let in.
18:00 – 18:35 theory & cases
18:35 – 18:50 networking round #2
18:50 – 19:00 Q&A
19:00 – 19:15 networking round #3

Afterwards, we continue our interaction in a closed LinkedIn group (by invite only!) where we also share materials.

Would you like to participate? Do the following:
1) Download & sign this application form
2) Send it with your CV attached via e-mail to Challenge.Accepted@CareerAngels.eu
3) Wait for a phone call from one of our colleagues to verify your application

Important: in order to ensure the safety and comfort of all participants, everyone – without exception – has to submit the signed application form and be verified by our team. Only verified applicants will receive the link and log-on information before each meeting.