The Perfect Fit

A Retained Recruiters' Value Is Committment

I just returned from a several day conference with fellow members of irsa, the International Retained Search Associates. It was an intensive four days of discussing best practices with other retained search colleagues.  We talked about trends in the recruiting industry and how we as a group and in our own practices, can continue to increase value to our clients.   I left the meeting energized and excited to start utilizing some of the ideas that were presented.

One of the best takeaways from the meeting was a renewed understanding of the value of retained search.  The retainer allows the recruiter to spend the appropriate amount of time talking with the client and learning the nuances of the position, the company culture and the near and longer term goals of the client.  All of that adds up to a more precise understanding of what candidate experience, skills and personality will best fit in and contribute to our client for the long term.

That knowledge is fundamental in helping me understand whether a candidate can really flourish with the new opportunity.  Successful placements that last for years, and where the new (placed) employee can grow both personally and professionally, while contributing their employer don't just "happen".

The irsa meetings that I attend twice a year are an outstanding opportunity for me to refine the recruiting process at every step of the way, from the initial call to a passive/employed candidate, to being the client representative delivering the final offer.  From sourcing candidates, to the in depth interviewing and relationship development with candidates, every step of the way can be discussed openly with other irsa members, with any questions being answered by veteran, successful recruiters. 

The value of the information gathered at irsa is immeasurable.  There is no other forum or association I've heard of that so openly shares best practices.  It's remarkable and exciting.  I'm proud to be a member!

What does that have to do with my headline?  It's this . . . many retained recruiters (including irsa members) are interested in delivering the absolute best quality and service to the client.  There are many steps in the recruiting process.  Ultimately, the thing that separates retained from contingency recruiters is the commitment to success through excellence and quality of hire.

New Retained Search: Prepress Production Manager #10033

Location: St. Louis Metro

General Description:
This is a new position resulting from our client’s growth.  The Production Manager is responsible for all components of digital prepress production including the scheduling of all day-to-day production and delivering quality work on time, to our client’s flexo and offset presses.  The role requires contact with clients and other vendors on a regular basis. It also requires an acute ability to troubleshoot day-to-day business challenges, from color and technical job related concerns to managing department personnel.  The purpose of this position is to plan, facilitate, and deliver job information to production in the most efficient and profitable manner possible, while offering support to graphic artists and making recommendations on production and quality improvements wherever possible. You’ll work with senior management to expand the capabilities and efficiencies of the department over time.

Primary Responsibilities:
•    Assign workloads to personnel for production scheduling needs, oversee departmental estimating and billing and facilitate communications with production, customer service and clients.
•    Create and maintain the highest quality approach to the department resulting in 100% customer satisfaction and loyalty.
•    Identify, develop and establish “best practices” in workflow and color management, including profiling of all in-house hardware (including presses), proofing devices, monitors, etc.
•    Establish and maintain an automated workflow documenting hours/billing, production scheduling and digital file archiving systems.
•    Quality Control review of digital and analog deliverables for accuracy and completeness.
•    Training and professional development of department employees.
•    Review, refine and upgrade as necessary, department knowledge of technical concepts and theories, as well as hardware and software used by department professionals.
•    Communicate with senior management regarding the growth and profitability of the department.
•    The overall quality, efficiency and profitability of the department, including staff hiring, training, mentoring and performance reviews.

Experience:
We think a related degree and a minimum of 10 years of prepress production experience in a flexo and offset press environment, with at least three years of supervision of employees is about right.  You must be fluent in the latest versions of appropriate software, hardware and color management tools for multiple presses and proofing devices.  We’re looking for a leader with very strong written and verbal communications skills, able to manage a fast moving department that’s driven by quality and customer service.  You should be able to anticipate and resolve production issues.  Specific experience with flexo printing, Kodak and DuPont plate making equipment, and process dot and solid ink density knowledge are critical.  Flexo packaging experience is ideal.  We’re looking for a self-motivated hard working leader with experience keeping a digital prepress department on the leading edge of technology, quality, efficiency and profitability.

Compensation:
Our client is offering an outstanding compensation package, designed to intrigue premier candidates.  In addition to a base salary with the possibility of bonus based on performance,  the package includes medical benefits (dental and vision options), a 401k with Company match, and short and long term disability.

About Our Client:
Our client is over 25 years old and consistently growing and improving their technological and hardware production capabilities.  They are known as an industry leader in technology solutions for delivery of flexo printing for packaging.  They have a large, new facility in the metro St. Louis area with some of the most modern flexo and offset presses (literally) in the world.   Every level of management is accessible, helpful and supportive.  Every employee is given the tools they need for success, without micro-management.  They hire the best and expect superior performance and results.  There is very little employee turnover.  They have long term loyal customers who have come to trust our client’s ability to consistently perform above expectations.  Our client is ready to hire right now!  EOE

Fake References, For A Real Price

A colleague of mine just sent me an article with a link to a company from which you can "Buy A Job Reference" . . . Unbelievable!  Need to fill in a gap of unemployment or replace a bad work history?  Buy a job reference starting from the low price of $39.95 for one month and up to 5 references! Seriously!

Here's a little snippet from their site . . .

"You apologize for nothing.  And sure, sometimes that means burning a few bridges with fiery tirades and oversized truth bombs. But you're just keeping it real. Which means that you need an ally who will do anything possible to help you in your quest for realness. Even if that means lying like no one's ever lied before...

Introducing "Buy a Job Reference", a new service that sets you up with fake references and expertly tells tall tales on your behalf for the next time you're hunting for a job/apartment/mate, taking calls now.

Now, we feel obliged to tell you this: this site is dodgy as hell and potentially illegal, and we're not saying
you should do this, but what we are saying is it's nice to know there's someone out there who has your back and will tell the story the way it deserves to be told.

So when your next employer calls, your new reference will expound on your finer qualities and send you an email saying how their little tête-à-tête went."

There's another site called CareerExcuse.com, for "Outsourcing your job references"!  It brightly states,

“Our employment verification process takes the frustration out of your job search and eliminates annoying blots on your resume.”  Further, they go on to describe themselves as a “one-on-one personalized job reference service.” Among its offerings:

• Choose your career history
• References from bankrupt companies
• Positive responses need to compete against hundreds of other applicants.
• Create your career history (!)"

The brazenness of this whole approach is just amazing to me. Maybe I'm naive . . . As I was reading through the Buy A Job Reference site, I found myself literally shaking my head in disbelief!  I smiled and laughed out loud . . . but it's not really funny!

Job references aren't the only thing they'll fake for you . . . ever had trouble renting an apartment because of a "inconsistent" payment history?  No problemo!

Legal or not, there are candidates who will try it, especially in today's job market...  While I understand that someone who needs to feed their family will do what they need to survive, fraud like this seems inappropriate.

This is just one more reason for recruiters and employers to spend the time necessary for the due diligence required for in depth background and reference checks . . . not just a couple of cursory questions.

I'm curious what you think . . . !