The Secrets of Executive Search : Professional Strategies for Managing Your Personal Job Search

Professional Strategies,World-Class Advice, and Inside Tips on Finding Your Ideal Job "The Secrets of Executive Search provides real-world and proven techniques in an easy-to-read reference format. It s a must-read for anyone who will be managing human resources and/or managing their own career into the new millennium." Arthur E. Hobbs, former vice president, Human Resources, Raytheon Systems Co. "This book will definitely help job candidates at all levels. Not only does it contain career advice that is helpful in conducting your job search, but also for enhancing performance on the job." Libby Sartain, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Yahoo at Yahoo! Inc. "A very current career reference guide complete with job search tips on how to maximize the power of the Internet. It s easy to read, easy to understand, and it s filled with practical, effective techniques and advice. Once I began reading Secrets, I couldn t put it down." C. Douglas Mintmier, Vice President, Human Resources, Mary Kay Inc. "I ve interviewed countless applicants who could have made the final cut if they had read this book. It makes all the right points clearly and concisely, and provides insights that will guide people on both sides of the hiring equation." W. L. Pendergrass, Vice President, Organization Resources Counselors, Inc. "The Secrets of Executive Search . . . is right on the money. In this day and age, professionals and executives need a personal development reference manual to help them manage their careers. And this is the one they should have!" James F. Nieves, Vice President, Human Resources, Children s Medical Center of Dallas "This is a down-to-earth reference guide that includes information many other career management books overlook. It combines the best advice from all worlds, from introspection to the practical side of how best to position yourself to get the job you really want." Richard T. Huntley, Executive Director, Williams Communications Solutions "Secrets is an extremely savvy snapshot of pragmatic advice for executives considering a career move. It brings into sharp focus the level of detail and preparation that are required for an executive to successfully reengineer his or her career." Douglas P. Thomas, Senior Manager, KPMG LLP

Professional Strategies, World-Class Advice, and Inside Tips on Finding Your Ideal Job "The Secrets of Executive Search provides real-world and proven techniques in an easy-to-read reference format. It s a must-read for anyone who will be managing human resources and/or managing their own career into the new millennium." Arthur E. Hobbs, former vice president, Human Resources, Raytheon Systems Co. "This book will definitely help job candidates at all levels. Not only does it contain career advice that is helpful in conducting your job search, but also for enhancing performance on the job." Libby Sartain, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Chief People Yahoo at Yahoo! Inc. "A very current career reference guide complete with job search tips on how to maximize the power of the Internet. It s easy to read, easy to understand, and it s filled with practical, effective techniques and advice. Once I began reading Secrets, I couldn t put it down." C. Douglas Mintmier, Vice President, Human Resources, Mary Kay Inc. "I ve interviewed countless applicants who could have made the final cut if they had read this book. It makes all the right points clearly and concisely, and provides insights that will guide people on both sides of the hiring equation." W. L. Pendergrass, Vice President, Organization Resources Counselors, Inc. "The Secrets of Executive Search... is right on the money. In this day and age, professionals and executives need a personal development reference manual to help them manage their careers. And this is the one they should have!" James F. Nieves, Vice President, Human Resources, Children s Medical Center of Dallas "This is a down-to-earth reference guide that includes information many other career management books overlook. It combines the best advice from all worlds, from introspection to the practical side of how best to position yourself to get the job you really want." Richard T. Huntley, Executive Director, Williams Communications Solutions "Secrets is an extremely savvy snapshot of pragmatic advice for executives considering a career move. It brings into sharp focus the level of detail and preparation that are required for an executive to successfully reengineer his or her career." Douglas P. Thomas, Senior Manager, KPMG LLP

The SECRETS of EXECUTIVE SEARCH......Page 3 CONTENTS......Page 7 About the Author......Page 9 Acknowledgments......Page 11 Introduction: Re-Engineering Your Career......Page 13 1 Introspection “If You Don’t Know Where You’re Going, You Might End Up Somewhere Else”......Page 19 2 The Reverse Search Moving Ahead by Going in Reverse......Page 33 3 The Resume The Absolutely Sure fire, Can’t Miss Resume......Page 43 4 The Cover Letter Exposing Yourself!......Page 61 5 References Coaching the Coach!......Page 75 6 Preparing for the Interview Featuring—You!......Page 81 7 Dressing for the Interview A Stitch in Time......Page 97 8 The Interview It’s Showtime!......Page 105 9 Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner Interviews A Time For Grace, Not Grease!......Page 117 10 Follow-Up Letters Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory?......Page 121 11 Preemployment Testing Tool or Crutch?......Page 127 12 Salary Questions The Moment of Truth......Page 133 13 The Offer Negotiating for Pennies......Page 139 14 Offer Letters Don’t Leave Home Without One......Page 147 15 Counteroffers Professional Suicide?......Page 153 16 Ensuring Your Success Pick the Low-Hanging Fruit......Page 159 Epilogue: Personal Marketing 101......Page 165 Appendix A: Industry Overview......Page 175 Appendix B: The Secrets......Page 181 Index......Page 185 At last, a job hunter's resource based on the insider secrets used by professional search firms From one of North America's top job search professionals, here is a complete job hunting manual using the little-known techniques and strategies that top executive search professionals use to ensure the success of their referrals. Readers get insider advice on how the professional job seeker can package his or her vital statistics most effectively, how to separate him or herself from the competition, and how to avoid the mistakes and miscues that can cost a job seeker his or her shot Finally, here is a job-hunter's resource based on the inside secrets of executive search firms. Using the little-known techniques and strategies that executive search professionals use to ensure the success of their referrals, this book helps job seekers package their background and experience as positively and professionally as possible. "Sam" had a strong background in Corporate Finance, but had just been "released" from his third Assistant Treasurer position in the last seven years.