Ask-A-Recruiter: Working On Your Career, Not Just In It

istock_000005168521xsmall1.jpgContributed by Caroline Ceniza-Levine of SixFigureStart

Actors have somebody or a group of people actively managing their careers, guiding, preparing, negotiating, etc. Is there such a thing for a business executive? You pay somebody a fee, similar to an agent, for the services provided by a number of disparate functions: e.g., recruiting (executive recruiter) for the ideal positions, performing at a high level (coach), negotiating salary and contracts (labor lawyer). In short, I would be interested in a career manager that would handle my career. Does this type of service/person exist?

You’re right that there are 3 separate pieces — legal, search, and coaching. But there are good reasons why all 3 are not under the same arena:

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Work/Life Balance in the Law

law2.jpgby Elizabeth Harrin (London)

It’s not easy balancing work and a home life. Throw in clients who need you to be available at all hours, managers who don’t believe in vacations and court dates that change at the drop of a hat and you have to wonder why anyone chooses the legal profession at all.

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Work/Life Balance Innovations at Bain & Company

wroklifebalancescale.JPGby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

As the firm at the top of Consulting magazine’s “10 Best Firms to Work For” for the sixth year in a row, Bain & Company knows a thing or two about keeping their employees happy and engaged. “The most important thing to understand about consulting is that the retention of top talent is a major business priority,” said Heidi Locke Simon, a Partner in Bain’s San Francisco office. “We at Bain have a history of flexible work options for both men and women. These policies are designed for all top talent, not for employees of a particular gender.” While not solely for women, the programs in place are helping their female employees stay in the Bain family, or easily “on-ramp” after leaving due to familial obligations.
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Voice of Experience: Anne Wallace, Executive Director, Identity Theft Assistance Center

Anne_Wallace1_1_.JPGby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

Anne Wallace is a trailblazer. In a 35-year career in banking and financial services that has taken her from the public to the private sector and back again, Wallace has broken down barriers for women and has reshaped the industry in the process.

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The Impact of the Economic Downturn on the Legal Industry

law.JPGby Heather Chapman (New York City)

The financial market isn’t the only industry being affected by the recent downturn in the U.S. economy. Businesses all across the nation have seen a decline in customers. However, in the legal industry, the number of bankruptcy, litigation, regulatory compliance, white-collar defense, and divorce cases has risen as people and businesses try to either save themselves from collapse or cash in on someone else’s. With questions like “Should I keep investing my money?” to “What do I do about my health insurance plan?” lawyers are finding that business is booming.

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Tips From the Tarmac

bunnygerman_1_.JPGBy Paige Churchman (New York City)

Today women account for nearly half of business travel, and most of them wouldn’t have it any other way. A 2003 NYU study found that 80% of women business travelers view business travel as a sign of professional achievement and, given the choice, 65% would continue to travel on business, despite cramped airline seats, security lines and long waits on the tarmac. The Glass Hammer checked in with women on the move to find out some of their secrets of survival on the road.

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A Non-Profit Sector Perspective: Women Step Up When the Numbers Drop Down

fallingmoney.JPGContributed by Kristen Kentner

Last week was a banner week: Wall Street had its worst week in history (so now your 401K may not be worth the postage to send the statement to you) and the #1 movie in America was Beverly Hills Chihuahua. Yes, it does seem like the world is ending.

But I’m here to tell you it’s not. Everyday within the walls of American business there is still giving going on -giving by the women who statistically are the first to be let go when the company stock drops.

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Really Smart Women Mix Pleasure and Business

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by Heather Cassell (San Francisco)

Women lined the bar three rows deep and enjoyed hors d’œuvres strategically placed in the narrow walkway created by a five-foot wood wall that separated the restaurant from the bar. We were all there for Smart Women Get Together, a traveling monthly social business networking event for San Francisco Bay Area businesswomen.

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Champions of Sustainability Convene for 5th Annual Conference

worldleaf.JPGby Pamela Weinsaft (New York City)

On October 2nd, 2008, top women in sustainability from Fortune 500 companies, financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations gathered together at JP Morgan Chase for the Women’s Network for a Sustainable Future’s 5th Annual Businesswomen’s Sustainability Leadership Summit. This year’s theme -Leading Change: How to Champion Sustainability in Your Company.

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5 Easy Ways to Beef Up Your Linked In Profile

womencomputer.JPGby Cindy Kraft, the CFO–Coach

There is no question that social and business networking sites provide a wealth of prospects for recruiters who are sourcing passive candidates (prospects who are employed, top talent, and open to hearing about new opportunities). Jason Blessing of Taleo, a leading eRecruiting software company, says, “I’ll be stunned if 20–50% of candidate referrals aren’t coming through online communities in five to six years.” I’m stunned he thinks it will take that long. The recruiters I talk with are big fans of Linked In and Facebook as a premier recruiting strategy for the highly desired passive candidate.

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