Seattle Executive Recruiting, Search & Placement Services | Headhunters

“Should I Stay or Should I Go?”

seattle — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:04:23 +0000

We all know this is a difficult job market. We have friends and neighbors who are looking for work. People like to share horror stories and layoffs make the headlines every day. Is it any wonder that people who are employed want to hunker down and stay where they are - riding out the storm? The familiar company seems safer than the unknown. But when you do learn of a new opportunity or receive a new job offer do you find yourself humming this question posed by the Clash - “Should I Stay or Should I Go”?

Sarah Needleman with the Wall Street Journal writes that employees are saying “stick with the job you know“. It is true that Gina and I are hearing “thanks, but no thanks” when asking potential candidates to take a look at a new career opportunity. In support of the rational that it is too risky to switch jobs, we are talking with some active job seekers who are in their current situation because of the old adage, “last hired, first fired”. It can be a very risky time to switch employers but it can also be extremely risky to stay with your current employer. The best advice we can give you is to research, research, research and….work with an ethical recruiter if you decide to dip your toes into the job market.

I have seen swings in the job market several times. Okay, I will put it out there, I have been recruiting in Seattle for more than 25 years - not your typical twenty-something recruiter. I began my career in Human Resources where I had to deliver the bad layoff news to hundreds of employees. As a result, my candidates and clients benefit from my history and experience. I approach each position differently than most external recruiters - and not just during times of trouble.

In our due diligence, we determine to the best of our ability the client’s current and future financial health. In reviewing a client’s staffing needs, there are situations where we recommend hiring a professional on an interim basis. This can be a win-win for everyone. A company isn’t making a commitment that they can’t keep and there are talented professionals with careers that consist of meaningful contributions to companies for the timeframe when there talents are needed. As the recruiter brokering these situations, we can also determine if the candidate is someone who will stay for the duration of the project. Companies don’t always realize the level of talent they can contract for a temporary position and feel they have to hire someone “permanently” to get what they want. A recruiter working to fill this job and make their commission, may not explore with their client or share with you the candidate, the temporary nature of the job. It’s frustrating when I hear of these situations because they are mostly avoidable.

Even in a risky economy, there are some fantastic opportunities worth switching jobs for. You can end up in a role with a strong mentor, new experiences to round out your career, a job closer to home or a company that is better positioned for the future than your current employer. Does it make sense to let these opportunities go by without exploring them? Of course not. But again, research the heck out of the company and the industry. There is so much information at your fingertips including news articles, talking to current and former employees of your potential company and their competitors, and listening to your gut instinct.

As a recruiter, we are hired to sell the opportunity but we also give the good with the bad and let you make up your own mind if the opportunity is right for you. Our goal is to make the best long term match for everyone. If you are working with a recruiter that is giving you the hard-sell and their sales pitch is conflicting with your own research on the company - walk away. Or if the job is still very compelling and your current job is at risk, negotiate a severance package that is equal to or greater than what you will receive from your current employer. Review it with an attorney. If the employer is not willing to give you a severance package, well, there may be a reason. In the words of the Clash - “if you say that you are mine, I’ll be here til the end of time” - wait, that was 25 years ago during my dad’s era when employers and employees committed their entire career to each other. My father once gave me excellent advice which green lighted me to quit my job and start my own business. He told me that sometimes the riskiest thing you can do is stay with your current employer. Take my advice - if you decide to go - get all the information you can about the opportunity, make your own decision after serious evaluation, and prepare for the breakup in advance by securing a severance package.

Chris

Interviewing Jean Berry, VP of HR for Allrecipes.com

seattle — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 07:56:36 +0000

We selected Jean Berry because not only is she one of our favorite HR people but over the years, she has impressed us as a renaissance woman who can tackle anything. Jean has spent more than 20 years in Human Resources in both high tech and biotech industries. She is well-rounded is all areas of HR including organizational development, employee relations and as a trusted adviser to senior leadership. We have seen Jean on both sides of mergers and acquisitions during which she always maintains her sense of humor and intelligence. Jean has a BA from University of Washington and an MS from University of Indiana. A lesser known fact about Jean is that she is a trained Chef. I will never forget Jean commanding the kitchen during her Chef school graduation meal - next stop Top Chef? Jean has now combined her experience and interests as the VP of HR at Allrecipes.com. We forgot to ask her if she sneaks into the test kitchen after hours! (more…)

VP Sales, Quantum Art

seattle — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:46:49 +0000

Dynamo Recruiting is thrilled to announce our newest search!

QuantumArt is seeking a world-class west coast sales professional for the title of VP, Sales. This is one of our area’s premier early-stage opportunities.

Located in Seattle and San Francisco and experiencing record growth, QuantumArt is a highly visible content management company focused on small business, enterprise, publishing, social networking, politics and government market segments.

Recently named one of “100 Companies That Matter in Knowledge Management” by KMWworld, QuantumArt, leads the charge with QP7, the new release of its content application server. Using QP7, Quantum Art delivers a framework for ultra-rapid development and deployment of dynamic sites and web applications on top of structured information.

Quantum Art’s customers include Authorize.Net, Amnesty International, ABBYY Software House, Canon USA, just to name a few and their client portfolio continues to rapidly expand.

We are looking for a high-energy, creative and communicative sales professional with experience in enterprise software and / or content management sales experience. Typically, deals close around a complex sales and follow-up process requiring the ability to develop, write and present the product offering in a customized way.

We need a person who is self-motivated as they will more than likely be working virtually. QuantumArt’s atmosphere is casual, but highly accountable. Team members work hard and care greatly about beating company goals and milestones as evidenced in record growth numbers achieved over the past two years.

If you have interest in this role, or know of someone who might, please feel free to pass the details and we would be happy to foward additional information. We’d be grateful for your help with networking.
No two organizations are the same - and this goes doubly so in regards to needs. Variations occur along the lines of size, industry and life stage. That being said, the challenge for any solution is to serve shared needs completely, and accommodate fundamental differences capably.

Office Manager for Investment Firm

seattle — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:22:30 +0000

Our client, based in Tacoma, is known for it’s multi-billion dollar hedge fund management. This is an exciting opportunity for the first office manager to create systems and processes for this 10 person office. You will be supporting the operations and administrative needs which include the following:

Data entry/maintaining investor and underlying hedge fund manager contact information (CRM)
Own and maintain underlying hedge fund manager information;
Monitor inventory of required reference materials and work with investment and finance teams to ensure completeness of files (more…)

Announcing Steve Schickler, Kinetix CEO

seattle — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 04:45:42 +0000

Kinetix Living hires new CEO-Steve Schickler
Steve Schickler joins Kinetix Living as a dynamic CEO with a stellar career that spans over twenty years of building successful organizations. Steve’s experience includes consumer goods, retail and SaaS. He has helped transform young companies into national leaders.

Steve was President of Seattle Coffee Company and then was a senior executive at Starbucks Coffee following Starbucks’ purchase of SCC. Steve was also a senior executive at Dreyer’s Grand Ice Cream as Dreyer’s grew from a largely regional company to the largest in its national industry space. Steve has also led three other companies and he won the NASDAQ/Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for his leadership of a company in Chicago. He was also CEO of a start-up company in the area of Internet Health Care Communications.

Steve began his career in packaged goods marketing at H.J. Heinz where he led two of that company’s largest business units. He has an MBA from New York University and a JD from Brooklyn Law School.
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Kinetix provides individuals with all of the tools and support they need to get and stay in the best shape of their life. Fitness, Nutrition and Community are the pillars of the program.

Kinetix is an exciting and dynamic company with a focus on helping corporate clients provide their employees the tools they need to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle which will ultimately result in lowered health care costs and increased employee satisfaction. In addition to coaching and support offered in the fitness pillar of the Kinetix program, we offer food products and nutrition guidelines. All of this is supported by a vibrant community of individuals living the Kinetix program.

Announcing Brad Johnson, Kinetix Living Board Member

seattle — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 04:42:37 +0000

Brad Johnson, newest board member- Kinetix Living
Brad is the Chief Administrative Officer and CFO of Recreational Equipment Inc. (REI). REI is the largest consumer cooperative in the country with $1.5 billion in annual sales and 3.5 million active members. REI is also one of only five companies included as one of the “100 Best Companies to Work For” since it was conceived in the early 1980s.

Brad has spent over 25 years in retail working for strong brands. In addition to his experience at REI, he served as Chief Administrative Officer and CFO of Lands’ End and CFO of Cornerstone Brands and Wilsons Leather. He began his retail career with Talbots. Over the course of his career his responsibilities have included Logistics, Human Resources, Information Technology, Operations, Real Estate, Investor Relations, Legal, Purchasing, Strategy and Finance.

Brad received a B.A from Utah State University and an MBA from the University of Utah where he was honored as a Deans’ Scholar. He serves on the Ahnu Footwear Board and as Treasurer of the National Forest Foundation. He serves on Advisory Boards for Utah State University and Brigham Young University.

He loves to hike, bike and just about anything else in the outdoors with his wife, Rosie, and their eight children.

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Kinetix provides individuals with all of the tools and support they need to get and stay in the best shape of their life. Fitness, Nutrition and Community are the pillars of the program.Kinetix is an exciting and dynamic company with a focus on helping corporate clients provide their employees the tools they need to maintain a healthy, active lifestyle which will ultimately result in lowered health care costs and increased employee satisfaction. In addition to coaching and support offered in the fitness pillar of the Kinetix program, we offer food products and nutrition guidelines. All of this is supported by a vibrant community of individuals living the Kinetix program.

Sr. Product Marketing Manager

seattle — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 08:37:49 +0000

Our client, a recognized worldwide leader in a multi-billion dollar industry, has a new opportunity located in their Eastside Corporate Headquarters. Join a profitable company with 20% annual growth and exceptional opportunities for your own personal and professional development. This high performance culture focuses on hiring the best people in a work environment where you can make a difference through innovation, drive and passion. The result is a place recognized by Washington CEO Magazine as one of the best companies to work for, and in addition, multiple rankings in national business publications for being a Hot Fast Growing Tech Company. (more…)

Interviewing Mike Flynn, PSBJ Publisher and Creator of 40-Under-40 Award

seattle — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 21:05:44 +0000

About Mike Flynn
Mike grew up in Spokane and graduated from Gonzaga Prep and Gonzaga University. Mike married Betsy, whom he met in math class. They have three children and six grandchildren. Mike worked 20 years for United Press International before joining the Puget Sound Business Journal, where he retired in April of 2006 after 24 years as Publisher. Mike has moved to what he refers to as his “entrepreneurial encore” of consulting, counseling and advising businesses, business people and business organizations. His hobbies are playing the guitar and running the 100 meters in senior and masters’ track and field events. You already know about Mike’s lifetime achievements but what we admire is his commitment to the community we live in through his involvement with Junior Achievement, Seafair, Downtown Seattle Association and Washington Wine Country - to name a few. You can keep tabs on Mike through his blog “Flynn’s Harp” where Mike continues to share his wisdom and connections in the business commmunity. (more…)

Online vs. Offline Word of Mouth Communication

seattle — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 16:58:42 +0000

I read with enthusiasm an article today from WOMMA (word of mouth marketing association) that the WOM spread offline is more positive and more likely to be interpreted more credible than WOM spread online.

Since I am new to the world of blogging (stop laughing!) this article reaffirmed that online communication is a powerful tool but at the end of the day, it does not replace good old fashion face to face or on the phone communication.

The “personal touch”….

Keep reading the seattleexecutiverecruiting blog but if you would like to call or meet in person, I am always available!
gp

Thoughts?

http://www.dynamorecruiting.com

TheFunded.com Offers Business & Entrepreneur Research

seattle — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 22:02:40 +0000

Our business partner, Julie Baker told me about an interesting online company called TheFunded.com.

It is fascinating with the insurgence of social networking and the free flow of information, how you can voice your opinion about any topic, anytime, in a heart beat. The issue, (that I find scary) is the effect these random opinions can have on a company or organization, like venture funds that are discussed at TheFunded.com.

Just a thought to ponder on a sunny day!
Let me know your thoughts….

gp
Dynamo Recruiting