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

by Robert M. Melançon (Author) "Sam" had a strong background in Corporate Finance, but had just been "released" from his third Assistant Treasurer position in the last seven years..." (more)
Key Phrases: Reverse Search, Gale Research

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 the Paperback edition.

Product Description
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. Its 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. Its easy to read, easy to understand, and its filled with practical, effective techniques and advice. Once I began reading Secrets, I couldnt put it down." –C. Douglas Mintmier, Vice President, Human Resources, Mary Kay Inc.

"Ive 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, Childrens 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

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Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 6, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471244155
• ISBN-13: 978-0471244158
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.6 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.com Sales Rank: #865,270 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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 (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No secrets here, January 13, 2003

By	Richard Blum "Richard Blum" (New York City) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Just finished reading the book of "secrets." Perhaps it is because of the general degradation of the English language over the years, but the word "secret" seems to have lost its original meaning. No secrets here. This book is just a check list of things to remember, in other words, some helpful hints. A very fast read. My major concern however, is that the author appears to have a heavy bias towards recruiters/headhunters, perhaps because he earns his income in that way. For example, one of the "secrets" given in the book is: "Be kind to the headhunter." The advice on interviews is very scanty. You could get more useful information on interviewing from the average newspaper article on the subject. In summary, it seams as though this book was written in order to glorify the author's career as a headhunter. Naturally, he cares more for his clients (those that pay them his fees) than he does for job candidates. He spends an entire chapter warning job seekers never to accept a counter-offer from your current employer. No surprise, because one of the most frustrating things to headhunters is on those occasions when they find out that they aren't going to close on a deal. This book is OK for a person just starting out, but will produce a yawn for anyone with ten or more years of work experience. The advice is just too obvious ... and obviously biased.

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

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.