Thoughts on Executive Recruiting

FountainBlue's December 14 Transitions event featured a recruiter panel:

• Roy Fiebiger, Sanford Rose Associates-Silicon Valley, representing the life science management market
• Jim McFadzean, DHR International, representing senior-level positions in advanced technology companies
• Sue Salvesen, STRe Solutions, representing senior-level finance positions
• Gretchen Sand, Skyline Recruiting Corporation, representing engineering, product management and marketing for early stage companies
• Max Shapiro, PeopleConnect, representing the early stage company market
  

Through their comments and that of an engaged audience, we have a much better understanding of what to look for when working with a recruiter and a better understanding of what needs to happen to ensure a successful job search. Below are notes from this afternoon's session for your reference.

Characteristics of a Great Recruiter are that they are relationship-based rather than transaction-based

• Treat you with respect
• Transparent and clear with you
• High ethical standards

They partner with you and with the hiring manager

• to ensure a good fit of skills and culture
• to assess your interest and abilities and identify the skills, experience, personality needs of organization

They partner with candidate

• to help them understand value-add and to communicate it clearly
• to expedite the hiring process, where appropriate

Advice for Job-Seekers:

• Leverage technology
• Use resources like LinkedIn and LinkSV and Craigslist. Recruiters use them too.
• Be persistent
• Be strategic
• Understand your own strengths and weaknesses. You may want to interview former bosses, colleagues etc., to help you better understand this. You can use this information during the interview (representing what you know someone thinks about you instead of giving a 'vanilla response') and also line up references through this process.
  Practice selling to your strengths
• Research and understand the needs of the hiring company
• Understand and communicate how your strengths can help the hiring company
• Take responsibility for your search success, don't rely on someone else to close the deal or move it along
• Be particular with the people you are working with to find a job.
• Be particular about the organization you're willing to work for. 'How you do one thing is how you do everything,' so if you're not treated well during the interview process, it may reflect on how you would be treated after you sign on.
• If you're working with a recruiter, involve him in your search, even if you're considering applying for a job not covered by the recruiter.
  

Thoughts on Job Trends into 2007:

• Biotech is producing more jobs, more hiring
• There are never enough 'A players' to go around
• The market is looking better this year than last, and last year was better than any year since 2000
• There's an advantage to living in the area. Relocation costs are now seldom provided by companies