Our Clients' Experience

The Position Proposal

A position proposal is a combination of research, analysis, and career consulting to produce a proactive business plan for an executive candidate.

A position proposal combines research on the company and the business environment with the management capabilities of the job seeker. It is a micro-campaign with documents and oral messages that becomes a proactive business plan for the executive position. The executive enters the job with a broadly supported leadership mandate.

It begins with in-depth research on a particular company. It includes the hot button issues, latest relevant events, and more. Robust competitive intelligence examines the business environment and future trends. Business analysis and career consulting make the research data into business intelligence in the service of an executive applying for a single position.

The best way to overcome any potential objection about a functional strength or industry expertise is to bowl over the executives you meet with your palpable grasp of the issues and your incisive insight. To do this you must know a company's strengths and weaknesses as well as the opportunities and threats faced in their markets.

Then you can strategize how to make the strongest impact. What business processes can you install, what capabilities you can you establish, what quality standards or service levels are attainable, what markets can be captured? What could be the effect of your leadership in this environment? A targeted answer commensurate to the executive's skills can wither any competition. By the way, this is a great way to enter into compensation negotiation.

It is valuable for all parties to raise the bar on the answer to "So, what can you do for me and my company?" When my candidate is hired, there are clear expectations and tacit support.

A man with a plan

Paul C. wanted to work closer to home than Manhattan after 9-11-01. Instead of a lengthy document, a one page case made the point that he was well poised for the job as currently described. Paul had the background to develop with the job, as the department was expected to grow.

We projected his career into the executive ranks. Presenting this vision at his meeting with the CEO produced a first impression that was undeniably positive. Now the commute is minimal and the long term career plan is an expectation.

One up the competition

Jay F. had been a supply chain executive. He was now competing against a supply chain consultant for a job at a supply chain consulting firm. Recent relevant experienece is tough to beat for a career changer.

By formulating his interview presentation in PowerPoint on a notebook computer, he effectively out-consulted the consultant. Both with media and message. All the VPs in the firm got the PowerPoint file via email based on the VPs exuberance over the form and substance of the presentation. Proving the case for your candidacy has this effect of turning an interviewer into an enthusiastic advocate.

Success Stories      

From Controller to CFO

Steve L. came to Gary Ames as the Controller of a small company. The challenge was gone from the position and Steve was feeling the career limitations of a small firm. His aspiration was to be a CFO, but he knew he was currently unqualified to fill that job. Steve needed a bridge job where he could learn and grow.

Our campaign yielded a job in a larger company, placed under the wing of a mentor in his 60s. There is now a development plan to give Steve all the Treasury experience that he needs. There is also a written succession plan that will have Steve assuming the top financial job in a few years.

Increased Challenge and Income

Rich A. was a middle manager in a large community bank. Using Gary Ames' campaign methods, resources and support, Rich remained confident while declining good offers with Citibank and AMEX. Rich wanted a more significant transition. Then we developed a position with MasterCard with plenty of challenge, responsibility and status. At first the job responsibilities and its level were only partly defined.

Rich had internalized several of my tactics to defer the salary question. When the Director of HR pressured him repeatedly on his current earnings, Rich stuck to his script and our game plan. Impressed with Rich's negotiating skill, and making favorable assumptions about his value based on how he handled himself, the position became clearer. Rich was to direct MasterCard's launch of an important strategic initiative. The offer included a 40% salary increase. But more important to Rich was the chance to prove himself while in the spotlight on a national stage with a blue chip employer.

Career Planning and Direction

Kevin G. had moved up in Wall St. securities from the back office to sales and had been instrumental in helping the firm to recover from a spate of catastrophic losses. He built the company back up but did not feel he was getting a fair share of his contributions to the firm.

After satisfying the desire to be an entrepreneur for 5 years, Kevin wanted back in the action--somewhere. He was open to anything but had no idea exactly where.

Gary Ames evaluates each client's background and lists current career options with the pros and cons of each path. Not at first, but after a few days, Kevin's realization dawned and became certainty. As soon as this mental transformation occurred, Kevin was a walking job offer waiting to happen. He didn't have to wait long.

When it's time to get out

After a long career with a major corporation, John S. had peaked at a mid-sized company. His good work was not appreciated by the owners. They thought him a fool for being "over-dedicated." The time to leave had come. At the $100,000+ salary level, it is a challenge to change functional position and industry simultaneously, but facilitate ambitious transitions is what I do.

It starts with clarifying strengths, goals, and a core message for the market. Then allies can become advocates. Just a few calls is all it took for the right person to get the message, lead the way, run interference, and smooth the path for entry to the executive suite. In this case, at a 40% salary increase.



Client Letters

Dear Gary:

I wanted to thank you for all your help in my job search… Most important was being able to talk through my options and practice my approach to prospective employers-you helped me get past my innate reluctance to sell myself!…. You have given me something of permanent value: the knowledge and confidence to conduct an effective job search.

Nina
National Non-Profit Association


Dear Gary:

I have been with the firm for six months and it is the greatest position I have had since going to work. I wanted to thank you for assisting with my job search…. I believe that consulting with you helped me get out of a "stuck" position professionally, and brought me to realize that I had great credentials that were marketable…. There was truly a lot of false information "fed" to me about development as a professional over the years…. I believe your program helped me to overcome this perceived "deficiency" in my career.

Lastly, it is possible to find the right job that suits one's current professional aspirations, but each individual must come to this realization. It was your program and process that got me to my "realization".

Randy
Vice President and Counsel


Dear Gary:

I'm convinced I would not have reached my job search goal so quickly without your assistance…. The guidance, coaching and understanding I received prepared me for this task and provided me with the tools to successfully conclude this search…. I am now ready to launch my new career.

David
Customer Service Manager


Dear Gary:

Just a quick note to thank you for your professionalism and undaunted motivational enthusiasm which kept me focused and inspired during my job campaign….Your skills in focusing my needs - in regards to both my career aspirations and personal concerns - were tantamount in landing the position I wanted….

To your potential clients I have two pieces of advice. First, the investment I made in your firm is relatively small compared to its already proven results and the future dividends it will pay in my new position. Finally, a job campaign is a job in itself…your efforts in sharpening my skills and directing me in the most efficient use of my time enabled me to land the wonderful new position I will be starting next week.

Mark


Dear Gary:

Well, we did it! And I do mean we did it…. I am writing to thank you for the tremendously significant role you played in helping me find and obtain a position…..Four out of the five interviews I went on were the result of the networking process you led me through…Your intangible contributions made my campaign a success…your careful advice on writing a resume, networking, informational interviewing, and negotiating were invaluable lessons….More than helping me find a job, you've been a terrific career coach, and I am looking forward to continuing that relationship.
Mark
Assistant Vice President and Manager of Media Relations

Dear Gary:
I honestly wish I could tell the executive world how much you helped me to make the right decision regarding my career change….From the identification , informational interview process to the actual job interview stage, and the eventual multiple offer time before making a decision…..Your guidance, experience and wisdom served me so well.

Duane
Account Manager Radio Station


Dear Gary:

I must confess that I was quite pessimistic when I entered into the program... Fortunately for me you took me in and molded me into a piece of art….Once again, thanks to your persistence, at one of the visits you put the gun to my head and made me call, and the company I am working for now was one of the calls.

Ken

Dear Gary:

When my husband learned of his pending job loss after 14 years with his company, I was so afraid of being a first hand eye witness of what happens to an individual when their perceived worth is threatened…..Then you came Gary, and your skill and experience helped to guide my husband to the realization that he was going to enter a new level in his professional life….You helped wage a successful campaign to sell something I bought 13 years ago - A bright, handsome man with the determination to excel at everything he does.

Laure
Appreciative wife

 

It's been an interesting three weeks. The last time I emailed you I was torn between a management position where I had no experience and another management position that suits my passion for sailing. I accepted the former.

You were right, multiple offers are complex decisions-but they are still coming. Now a reputable company in my old industry is making me offers with promises of succession after two retirements in about a year. There were advantages, but I'm standing pat. It is really the challenge before me in my new job that influenced my decision.

But these other employers aren't taking no for an answer. I not only have the job I chose to take, but also have two standing offers for positions if things don't work out! One gentleman has told me three or four times about how impressed he was with the layout of my resume and who had put it together. I still am receiving phone calls for interviews even though I haven't sent out a resume in four weeks.

I want to thank you for all your help and input throughout my campaign. It was a pleasure meeting and working with you. I have a couple of friends looking to relocate back from the Midwest to New Jersey and I will refer them to you.

Ken F.

Well, we did it. I have a great new job. When I came to you, I had already tried a few methods in searching for a job, but with no luck. Your methods, however have proven successful for me. I have found an employer who values my contribution to the company, and recognizes that in my salary. More importantly, the culture of the firm suits my needs in personal as well as professional growth.

The methods you taught me were the key I needed to find this position. I had a standard resume, and you revised it into a carefully thought out, accomplishment oriented, positioning statement. You were right on as far as understanding the various elements of the process (networking, search firms, answering ads, etc.) in proportion to chances for success. Together with the research you provided, I was able to focus my energy in the direction most likely to succeed.

The intensive discussion of the interviewing and negotiating process, as well as the information compilation work did all combined to help me present myself better to my employer and come out on top in the process. Your guidance during the whole search process was just the support I needed to keep on pushing forward. Also, remaining in touch after I've found my new position is vital as it makes me evaluate what is happening in my new position. I keep very aware of moves people make in the company as a result, and its important to track this political aspect of my position.

So, thank you for the outstanding effort you enabled me to do through your training of this very important aspect of my ongoing career.

Sincerely,
Dina M.


It's been a long transition, but my family and I are now fully settled in the Bay Area after my transfer from the New York office. As promised, I'm writing to touch base and pass along my current address and phone number.

Things are going extremely well at Bernstein. As I glance out my window at Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge (I hope you'll forgive some smugness!), I'm struck by how unexpected-but positive-the results of my career search were. As you may recall, I was directed primarily toward an investment executive position, preferably in the New York/New Jersey area. However, by networking aggressively and keeping an open mind, while still in the investment business, I ended up in a position quite different from my prior experience one which involves a great deal of client contact and sales/marketing activity - and on the opposite coast, no less. I couldn't be more pleased with both the position and location.

Thank you again for the counseling, guidance and encouragement you provided during my search. If I can ever be of assistance to you in the future, please don't hesitate to call.


Sincerely,

Harry K.

 

Thanks for helping me see the advantages you could provide me, and for helping me get on track in assessing and quantifying my past achievements. The exercises you provided really helped solidify my sense of accomplishment and boosted my confidence level for interviewing. You showed me what it really means to have a systematic well-planned approach to a job search.

At first, I thought there was no way I could afford such a service-but then it became clear I couldn't afford not to make the investment. It was well worth it, and the fee turned out to be just a drop in the bucket compared to the salary increase you helped me earn!

Even more importantly, I appreciate the sense you gave me that you would remain a valuable ally throughout my career, and not just in this one career search. I look forward to continuing our relationship and keeping you and the team posted on my progress.

Thank you!
Ed F.



Janet A. wanted to return to work 5 years after getting the required experience at a CPA firm. She had worked for a corporation once, in the early 1980s in temp and clerical roles. But she did learn her field of accounting while working off and on for her sister and brother in the late 1980s and early '90s. As a volunteer in the church Treasury, she even got a little supervisory experience.

Janet is sharp, but was plagued with doubts about her ability. Knowing that she needed to get a "real" job mixed poorly with a fear of over-reaching and being exposed. She reluctantly agreed to let me activate her campaign.

On Monday, my solution for Janet was to flood her with job offers to wash away her self-doubt. All that she had to do was approve a new sentence in her cover letter. I did all the rest. Got the right list, sent the message.

Janet had been getting an occasional interview, but when she allowed me to really take action, she received 12 calls from interested employers in just two days. That is, one dozen messages, inquiries, or conversations that would likely lead to job interviews and probably offers. On Friday of that same week, two of the hottest offers matured in the morning. She accepted the best one by noon.

The best one is 10 minutes from home. It is a $200 million NYSE corporation with a distinctly friendly atmosphere. She will start as an Assistant Controller. The Controller is scheduled to retire in two years. The dozen expressions of interest that she received over the previous two days even gave Janet the courage to negotiate a better compensation package. Multiple job offers tend to have that effect on people.

How many aggressive job campaigns have you managed?  Delegate job search tasks to us.

Get ready, get set, go.

The point of an aggressive search is to surface multiple job options simultaneously. Choosing among multiple viable offers is more possible than you currently believe.

Beware. It may sound nice, but an array of attractive job offers requires a tough decision on your part.

Contact Gary Ames

Let's discuss your career goals and a strategy.
I will render an opinion on how apply the greatest traction toward advancing your career. Attaining your career potential starts with a conversation....

Pick up the phone right now and call Gary Ames
toll free: 1.866.Job.Hunt = 1.866.562.4868
or email GaryAmes@QuickJobSearch.com

HomeAbout usContact us!Employer researchCareer marketing JobTotal career management