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

Robert M. Melançon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 6, 2002

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

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A very current career reference guide complete with job search tips on how to maximize the power of the Internet." -- C. Douglas Doug Mintmier, V. P. Human Resources Mary Kay, Inc.

"I've interviewed countless applicants who could have made the final cut if they had read this book." -- W.L. Roy Pendergrass, former V.P. - Corp. Human Resources - Texas Instruments, Inc.

"The Secrets of Executive Search is right on the money." -- James F. Jim Nieves, Vice President Human Resources, WebLink Wireless, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From the Back Cover

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

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471244155
• ISBN-13: 978-0471244158
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,797,722 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Practical as Well as Innovative Wisdom, November 25, 2001

By 

Robert Morris (Dallas, Texas) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Secrets of Executive Search: Professional Strategies for Managing Your Personal Job Search (Paperback)

The title of this book is somewhat misleading because it incorrectly suggests that Melancon's scope is much narrower than in fact it is. True, he has many insights into the executive search process itself, insights which may well be "secrets" previously unknown by most readers. His primary audience consists of career executives who are either now seeking another position or realize the need to plan a career which includes but is by no means limited to the position they now occupy. Melancon's insights can also be of incalculable value to students, their parents, and guidance counselors as well as to any others who wish to be better prepared to help students as they seek employment after graduation. (Over the years, Melancon has given a great deal of expert advice to the daughters and sons of family members as well as those of countless personal friends and business associates.) I also think this book will be of value to those in human resource departments who are involved, directly or indirectly, in the recruiting, screening, and (perhaps) interviewing of job applicants. Finally, I highly recommend this book to owners/CEOs of smaller companies who must identify and evaluate candidates but are unwilling and/or unable to retain executive search assistance from those such as Melancon.

There are 46 of the "secrets" to which the title refers. Each reader is already aware of several. Moreover, what were previously known before may have been forgotten so reaquaintance with perhaps prove helpful. For example: "Include a keyword summary in your hard copy resume (#8), "'Close the loop' with your references" (#15), "Always ask how you fit!" (#26), "Always ask for a copy of your test results and the interpretation" (#31), "When possible, ask for X weeks/months advance notice of termination" as well as "Negotiate extended temporary housing allowance" (#39). Some of the "secrets" are obvious (obviously) but all, together, can help a variety of readers (not only those actively seeking jobs) to understand much better the entire process by which people can most effectively secure better, more appropriate positions.

This book can indeed be of substantial assistance to those "on the either side of the desk" who wish to (a) strengthen their own interviewing and talent evaluation skills and (b) improve substantially the process by which to select those candidates who are best-qualified to fill the given positions. One of the most useful features is the series of "Checklists" which Melancon provides throughout the book. Melancon's tone is informal, conversational actually, as he shares various "professional strategies" which will help anyone to manage both a personal job search and, in process, an entire career. Well done.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Master of the Obvious, March 19, 2003

By 

Jim Palmer (New Castle, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Executive Search: Professional Strategies for Managing Your Personal Job Search (Paperback)

I expected something more than a review of search criteria that should be well known to anyone who has been through the job search process. This is especially true with the executive search process. I found no revelations here. In fact, I thought that the book was written on a much lower level than those to whom it was written to help. Unless you have never been involved in the executive search process, don't bother reading this book.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Immediately Actionable Guide, May 1, 2001

By 

Don R. Mueller - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secrets of Executive Search: Professional Strategies for Managing Your Personal Job Search (Paperback)

Melancon has written a very readable and actionable guide for anyone who is in the job market or plans on advancing their career. As one who has recently been in a personal job search, The Secrets of Executive Search helped me to focus on what is important and develop an actionable plan tailored to my needs. Within weeks I saw a noticable improvement in the quality and quantity of the follow-up inquiries I was receiving.

The Secrets of Executive Search breaks down the search process into each of its component pieces from resume development to offer negotiations, offering the reader constructive help in each area while providing light anecdotal stories from Melancon's experiences as an executive recruiter. Did you know resumes should be organized differently on the Web and in databases for greater effectiveness? The book is chalked full of the small and large tips like this that would come from a recruiting professional with years of experience.

This book is required reading for anyone serious about marketing themself. It's a reference you'll go back to time and time again.