Dear Mr. I said I was willing to relo but now that I have an offer I’m having second thoughts,

First, thanks so much for taking hours out of your day and mine to discuss the awesome job opening we have. I was excited that you were so excited. You gave me hope and then took it away like a thief in the night.

I understand that relocation is a big deal and that your significant other has a say in it. However, it is you that seems to not grasp that concept. Was she mad when she found out you were actually on…

“I’ll clean my house tomorrow.” “I’ll start working out next week.” “I’ll pay off that pesky Bloomingdale’s credit card bill next month.” False deadlines. We all set them for ourselves - we’re only human. The one that we recruiters tend to hear (and loathe) the most is something along the lines of “I’m going to start looking for a new job next ________.” (Fill in the bank with false deadline).

I’ll set the stage for you…

The conversation typically starts out with me calling you about an incredible opportunity in a location where you’ve only dreamed about living. It involves a shiny new title…

So often I have a great agency seeking great creative talent.

I find them that amazing art director, or copy director that they desire and set up a phone interview. They chat. They fall in love.

All the stars align – their work and experience lines up perfectly. Everyone likes everyone and we are moving towards an in-person meeting.

Suddenly, the momentum is halted because the insecurity monster attacks.

He lives in each of us. The agency becomes very aware that they are located in Delaware and cannot believe that my art director from New York City would want to move there and…

I am not naive, but wishful to be sure. I want to believe that when I talk to people, they are going to be honest with me. I know that is not the truth. Especially with this job when you are dealing with new opportunities, as well as salaries, bonuses, etc, people will often inflate their own worth.

I could sit here and espouse as to why i think people do it or what to do to prevent it. But here is something you have never heard before… We recruiters are wrathful when wronged.

A quick example of what has pissed me…

I have heard this question so many times as a recruiter.

I have given the prospective candidate all the specs- the job title, description and the location. It could be the dream job – with only one hitch. They would have to pack up their life and take it somewhere else in order to get the salary and position they have always wanted. A work/life balance has become increasingly more important, and therefore more respected by employers in the past few years. Since 9/11, people are moving closer to their families and are not willing to move away for a job – an…

Every major decision you make is going to be a leap of faith. You can do all the research in the world, but in the end, it comes down to just holding your breath and jumping.

I recently had a candidate who was very interested in a certain position at a very prestigious agency. We discussed it in depth, and I submitted him to the agency without reservation. His skill set was a perfect fit.

Apparently, they agreed because within hours of taking a looksie at his resume, they wanted to fly him in for an interview. So, he flew in, and…

Because patience isn’t easy, it makes it worth more…

I know my last blog was tinged a bit with hostility, but today’s is different because I am in great spirits. This morning, as I was emptying out my sweater bag for the winter, I found my favorite t-shirt I thought I had lost months ago. I just got a second computer monitor so I get to watch Heroes as I write this. And, I just found out that a creative I have been talking to since my first week on the job was just offered an interview.

*Side note, look at what happens when…

As you’ve undoubtedly learned if you’ve ever visited Disney World; It’s a Small World, After All. This is especially true in the Advertising world. It may seem like a vast universe because of the number of agencies and accounts. But make no mistake, everyone knows everyone and that includes Little Ole YOU.

I’m here, as your friendly Recruiter, to remind you of that all-important truth when it comes time to say your inevitable goodbyes from your current agency.

No one likes to say “Goodbye”!

It’s awkward to leave an employer for greener pastures because it has been made clear that something…

 Last week we all saw the headlines.  The massive 580 million dollar account known as Wal-Mart is heading to Richmond, Virgina.  This leads us to our third major factor of determining a city’s ad market; the influx and outflow of accounts into a city.   Now the Wal-Mart account did have to come from somewhere.  That palce happens to be Kansas City, Missouri.  Bernstein has retained many of the former Wal-Mart people, but Kansas City is almost certainly not a candidates’ market right now.  The amount of nervous account service, creative, and media people in Kansas City, wehter they choose to admit…

Opportunity is everywhere! Although, unfortunately, in the advertising industry, it is not always as convenient as it could be. Recruiters call, they have an AMAZING opportunity, located in Des Monies, Iowa. The appeal of the “AMAZING” opportunity is plummeting rapidly. Moving from state to state is not uncommon in advertising. Many professionals find certain agencies or particular accounts take precedence over the actual location of the position. Of course, sometimes the entire family is not united in support of the possible location switch. For many more though, the career path of the significant other must be taking into consideration. One…