103 of 113 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Take it from one who knows - do NOT waste your money!, May 1, 2005
As a Certified Personnel Consultant with 20 years as an executive recruiter, and the owner of a recruiting firm for 8 years, take my word for it, don't waste your money on this book. I bought it because I thought I might get some useful tips on certain aspects of the business I may have overlooked. Immediately, after reading the first few pages, I knew this person was not an executive recruiter, nor had she ever owned a recruiting business! Anyone who thinks they can just open up a recruiting business without a minimum of five years in the executive recruiting business (and not all of it on the Internet) is mistaken. I take that back. They can certainly start a recruiting business! However, I doubt those having less than five years of being successful as an executive recruiter, would make it past a few months, a year at the most. (That is, unless they hired seasoned executive recruiters to work for them. )
It's a tough business. Most people think you just talk on the phone (or surf the net for jobs and candidates) and rake in the money!
*Read articles on the Web linked to The Fordyce Letter, publishers of a newsletter to the executive recruiting industry, the "bible" of executive recruiting. Then go to sites of leaders in the field, mentioned there. People like Bill Radin, William Finlay, Don Ramer, etc. I'm sure there is an FAQ somewhere on one of these sites that will give you the best information on opening up a recruiting firm! (If not, after reading some of their articles, you will realize there's more to it than you thought!)
I'm writing this to get the word out that (a) this book is completely useless, and (b) no book on opening up an executive recruiting firm will help you if you don't have a few years as a sucessful, repeat successful - meaning you've made in excess of at least 25 placements as both the originator of the search assignment and the candidate - executive recruiter.
This is the first time I've ever written a review, but I felt compelled to say this, and to particularly warn unsuspecting people not to even think about opening an executive recruiting business without doing lots of legitimate research on the subject! (Which you won't get from this book.)
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
25 of 35 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Straight forward, practical, to the point, January 24, 2004
Looking to make a career change, I picked up this book at a local book store (Sorry, Amazon!) and I'm glad I did. This is not strictly a "how to" book. There is a fair amount of discussion - most from actual recruiters - on what it's like to be in this business. This is a good book for someone who hasn't quite made up their mind to start a recruiting business. There's enough detail to begin the process of creating a business plan but you will likely need to look elsewhere for specifics on recruiting technology, sales techniques, etc.
For the price, it's quite a deal!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
14 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Clear, concise, and comprehensive, January 30, 2005
Excellent start-up guide. In just over 100 pages, the author gives real-life details about the costs and benefits of starting your recruiting firm. Touches on home-based office versus renting professional space, has lists of approximate start-up costs, and a realistic view of some pitfalls to avoid. As a recruiter who's been in the business, she was dead-on about what it takes to make it in the field without being too sunny or too bitter.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
