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

Rating:
Summary: Master of the Obvious
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: An Immediately Actionable Guide
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Practical as Well as Innovative Wisdom
Review: 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.