Job Search Success Summaries

New Position Accepted:

One of our executive candidates was recently placed with a Fortune 500 company in a senior technology position. She was having great difficulty getting past gatekeepers and into the offices of the hiring authority to get a decent interview at the level she was seeking. Here are her comments:

"Just a note to thank you again for your terrific assistance with my job search! Your guidance and support were just what I needed at all the right times. I feel that you made a huge difference, particularly at the very end when I suddenly had offers that I didn't know what to do with! Your advice and counsel were right on target, and you gave me the edge I needed.

By the way, the web portfolio was perceived very highly by both employers who eventually offered me a position. That document set me apart from others and gave me an advantage by showcasing my accomplishments in an easy, clear format. I also felt that the changes to my resume recommended by SC&C were very good and made a great deal of difference. Two of my offers came from recruiters who obtained my resume off the Internet. The documents (you prepared) made a lot of difference in getting me in front of people.

I started on November 28 with (XXX) in Texas. So far, it feels like a good match for my skills and style. They are very interesting folks, and (XXX) is a great organization."

Exec. VP & COO - $500 MM Corporation - 1-9-07

Recently, a candidate came to us and in the process of working with us was placed as COO of a $500MM company. The client decided at that time that they still wished to work with us in case things did not work out with the new company. Smart move on their part. Great job now but politics change, economic shift, and other non-controllable items arise that may create unemployment for this candidate, no matter how hard they work to prevent it. These things do happen. Here are the clients 'comments to us.

"Dick, thanks for your email. I am doing well and, honestly, I am very happy, as well.

The new job SC&C helped me acquire, has been great, although it has been like drinking from a fire hose at times. I am excited about the future and my part in it. Anyway, it has been good. I feel respected, and it feels like "home." My efforts to assimilate into (the company name) quickly are perhaps somewhat hampering the amount of time I can spend working on my SC&C career plan. However, I am glad with my decision to retain my involvement with SC&C. I know my schedule will settle down once we have the move behind us.

I feel fortunate and blessed to have "bumped" into SC&C during a tumultuous time. I remain thankful for your approach and counsel. If I can be of assistance to you or SC&C with any interested candidate, please don't hesitate to call me. While I cannot speak to every search issue, because we have just started, I can speak rather prolifically on the comfort level I have. Perhaps I can share my confidence by saying that I "enrolled" even though I had just successfully landed a spectacular career opportunity."

"... per our brief phone conversation on Monday, I wanted to update you as to my interview on Wednesday.

The recruiter has not officially heard from the HR manager, post-discussion with the hiring manager. However, she did talk with the HR manager briefly, and that manager was quite impressed with me, especially the preliminary work I showed them of how I'd take their existing brand valuation efforts in additional directions.

My discussion with the hiring manager was a bit rushed, as he was running late, and a crew from CNBC was waiting to interview him. nonetheless, we had a good 25 minutes, at the end of which, he said he wanted to continue the talk, and we would, and that he wanted me to see some other people. His words were implying 'I have to have the HR manager's agreement,' but his facial signs and tone were 'I want to know more about you and think you can help me.'

I credit much of these responses to your firm's help in interview prep. Reading Fred's book chapter, prepping for some expected hardball questions, and following, in spirit, the interview control guidelines, worked amazingly well. There was not a single 'tough' question for which I was not ready, with a prepared, but not 'rehearsed' sounding, strong, positive, and credible reply. Questions like: so, why do you not want to be an entrepreneur anymore, your weaknesses, what will you do for us here, what is your most unique strength (I cheated on this one and said it is "my blend of analytical AND creative skills").

I'll keep you posted on the formal response through my recruiter. She is already optimistic, saying that nobody is ahead of me in the process, and having Gary say he wanted me to see others was a major good thing.

CN

Partner - 21.5% Salary Increase: 11 weeks

A Senior Project Manager became a full partner in a company providing information systems technology to companies nationwide. "With your help, I was able to leverage my skills and experience in a declining job market. My preparation set me up to interview and negotiate at the proper level with the right decision-maker."

Vice President of Marketing and Business Development - 27% Salary Increase: 9 weeks

An Assistant Vice President of a large retail operation became a Vice President of Marketing and Business Development for a dynamic manufacturing company. " ...helped me identify my real strengths and how to present them to CEOs in ways that made me most attractive to them….and your negotiation assistance proved most valuable." 27% salary increase: 9 weeks

Technical Project Manager - 46% Salary Increase: 24 weeks

"Hey, I got great news. I am employed after six months. Get this....as a Program Manager (contractor) managing 180 people in 17 states at $60/hour ($124k a year). I have always managed teams as a project manager, but now this is a manager. The pay is almost double what I had at WorldCom.

It was because of you and your team that I learned the proper skills and gained enough confidence to move into management and get a 46% increase in pay.

I am overseeing the refurbishment and deployment and installation of 12,000 PCs nationwide as a contractor supporting CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation). I am having a very successful first three days, being extremely well received by everyone.

I have to go now, exhausted. But feel free to contact me if you need someone to extol the virtues of Stewart, Cooper & Coon and Fred Coon, because I am certainly one of them...and a unique one as well."

VP Operations - High Tech Manufacturing - 25.4% Salary Increase: 15 weeks

"As a seasoned professional, I am always on the lookout for that edge which will place me in a better position for advancement and growth. I have read the books and attended the seminars. I then came upon a unique opportunity to have my resume professionally reviewed by your staff. I was surprised when several obvious mistakes were pointed out to me. In several conversations with your company, I was challenged to take the tests and complete the exercises.

The exercises were extremely enlightening about what I was NOT doing right. I commend you and your staff , not only reformatting my resume but also more importantly focusing the reader on the strengths of my background. Here is the bottom line..."

Chief Administrative Officer

A health care administrator used our services to become the Chief Administrative Officer for a large group practice. "I would have never thought to look for a position in this area. They have revenues and potential much greater than my previous group that had 12 times as many people. Small and dynamic is the key to my success and your focus efforts and research made all the difference."

Vice President - 28.7% Salary Increase: 10 weeks

Vice President-Branch Manager for a heavy construction equipment company transitioned to Vice President of a similar company. "I was with the same company for over 20 years and never realized my real worth in the marketplace. Your Marketing Action Plan and executive resume opened the right doors for me and my future potential is virtually unlimited."

CEO - Over 200% Salary Increase: 20 weeks

General Manager became CEO of a national-level plastics firm. "I thought my age and lack of a formal degree would inhibit my success in finding a good opportunity. Your staff helped me develop opportunities with eight of the leading plastics firms. This resulted in five offers! With your assistance, I was able to successfully use one offer as leverage against the others and more than doubled my income!"

President - 38.6% Salary Increase: 8 weeks

Vice President of Sales became the President of a furniture manufacturer. "I appreciate all your efforts. This has been an enlightening experience and that enabled me to make such a huge and profitable change in my career path!"

Chief Executive Officer - 70% Salary Increase: 11 weeks

A Vice President became a Chief Executive Officer for a company providing international logistics support. "WOW, who would have thought this was possible…it's too good to be true!"

These are only a few of the many success stories in which we have participated. We now stand ready to help you create your Executive Solution Success Story!