Customer Reviews

The Recruiter's Research Blue Book

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Actually passed on this after hearing about it for years. I was able to connect with many folks who "made the mistake" of shelling out close to 200 bucks for what was described as thoroughly disorganized and stuffed with Internet bookmarks that are all over the web for free in countless research and librarian sites. Kennedy Publications sells this and posts the table of contents, which shows how out of order the information is, like "inside an actual search" - the whole thing feels like some marketing tool for search firms who claim to be highly ethical, but in fact outsource substantial "difficult research" to many people I know who get paid serious money to do telephone based research (aka, 'rusing'). Sort of like an attempt to legitimize the activities (as in, "no, we'd never ruse at (search firm name goes here), we all rely on Jupina's book for training, even though it happens to completely omit the part where you actually have to identify who does what for a living at a company"

save your money. There are better research books out there. Recruiting is not some kind of unique research puzzle to solve - research is research is research.

I just stumbled upon the book and found five references to myself contained in its pages. I went into retirement in 2001.

The Recruiter's Research Blue Book, 2d Edition. (Human Resources).~(book review)
Andrea A. Jupina. 2000. Kennedy Information, LLC. Softcover. 589p. ISBN 1-885922-61-2. $179.

To capitalize on the success of some other well-known bestsellers, Andrea A. Jupina might have titled her basic primer on the dynamics of the research function in the search business, Everything You've Always Wanted to Know About Executive Search Research... or Recruitment Research for Dummies.

In this, the second edition of the formerly titled, The Handbook of Executive Search Research, published in 1992, Jupina seeks to target a broader market. There s something for everyone who finds themselves on the recruitment continuum and a substantial amount for those researchers, consultants, and executives new to recruiting, whether they reside in a search firm, are part of a corporate HR function, or recruit for their own business or department. Many of the issues discussed are timeless, along the lines of "the more things change the more they stay the same."

The Recruiter's Research Blue Book is divided into two parts: "The Research Process," which constitutes about one-third of the 600-page guidebook, and "The Recruiters Directory of Directories--Plus Web Sites, Databases, and CD-ROMs," which exceeds 400 pages.

The Research Process

Part 1, "The Research Process," is about as comprehensive in its coverage of the complexity of identifying and developing candidates for job opportunities as one can hope to find. Its 26 chapters provide guidance on a variety of topics: recruitment terminology; the role of research in recruiting; developing a detailed research checklist; presenting research results; legal issues; scripts for conducting telephone interviews and reference checks; and sample flow charts and forms.

Many of these topics could be expanded and expounded upon, but that's what seminars are for. Jupina provides a useful list of HR associations and research roundtables that would be appropriate to contact for further information on a specific topic.

Seasoned librarians will find the chapters on creating an executive search library, finding information on privately held companies, creating a database, and locating Internet web sites rather elementary. The author's focus assumes a non-librarian audience. As such, many chapters suggest consulting a librarian for resource and research guidance or to provide online searching of the Web and other online services. Nonetheless, librarians new to the recruitment world will benefit greatly from the other chapters, which clearly lay out the nuts and bolts of the search business.

While this publication is intended as a reference tool and not necessarily meant to be read from cover to cover, the organization of material in part 1 could be improved. For example, Jupina leads with "The Research Checklist-The Heart and Soul of the Whole Thing." It is a very detailed, valuable list, but it assumes a knowledge of the research process that many readers will not have. Far better to lead with the excellent overview, "The Role of Research in the Search Process" by Glenn Van Doren, a former executive director of the Association of Executive Search Consultants. This brief, seven-page summary provides a context for the checklist and coming first would make it more understandable.

The Recruiters Directory

Part 2, "The Recruiters Directory," is a terrific compilation of invaluable hard copy and electronic resources for recruitment. Well indexed and cross-referenced, this section offers detailed descriptions as well as URLs, telephone numbers, addresses, and prices for geographic and biographical resources, trade and professional organizations, government publications and sites, and specific industry resources.

Some are standard sources that have been around for years in various formats. Others, especially the Internet sites, might be questioned for their current viability. As with all print directories, once published, it's already out of date.

Experienced researchers with specialty expertise may find a few of their favorites missing. It's difficult to be comprehensive in all industries and functions, especially when there's always something new being discovered. But overall, this is certainly an impressive place to start.

In addition to providing a valuable tool for the executive search profession, the author should also be applauded for promoting, throughout part 1, the critical role research plays in executive search. Wayne Cooper, president and COO of Kennedy Information, states it simply in his introduction, "There can be no product without research." Seems obvious to the profession, but one can never overplay the message, especially in a publication that will be used by professionals outside the research community.

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Reprinted review from ACCESS MY LIBRARY by Gale, 2008 - "Search Information That Libraries Trust"

Gives very good insight to the tools of professional executive search and research. Many useful forms and tips. Very comprehensive directory of sources, allthough the Internet sources and tools could have been better covered. Well done Andrea!