The Perfect Fit

22 Years of Recruiting!

My 22^nd Anniversary of Helping!

Wow!  I can’t believe that I’ve been a recruiter for 22 years and I’m still loving it as much as I always have!  I consider myself very lucky, being able to make a good living by helping my Clients and Candidates grow, improve or move forward in some way.  It’s extremely professionally satisfying to be sincerely thanked for the role I played in talent acquisition or career advancement.

I’m really proud of the reputation earned over these decades of work.  I’ve always tried to add value to every person or company I’ve come in contact with.  Sometimes that help is a conversation and sometimes it consulting, either cultural for a Clients or career for Candidates.  It’s always extremely gratifying!  I consider myself very lucky!

That reputation is now leading to marketing leaders (both agency and brand) all over the US, getting in touch with me.  They trust me with their resume to discreetly help them identify their next career chapter.  These leaders range from the CEO, CMO level to CDs, Analysts or Project Managers (virtually every title at ever level) who’ve have heard I might be able to help.  I’m talking about Presidents of Global agencies or holding companies to those who’ve just graduated.  It’s flattering and it’s fun!  I like to think it’s karma. Good things happen when you consistently treat people with respect.   

I’m looking forward to more years of helping agencies and corporations and candidates increase their capabilities or capacities.  I’m very proud to be able to feel like a true partner.  It’s why my company’s name is Bishop Partners . . . Thank you very much!

 

The Costly Mistake of Waiting Too Long to Start Succession Planning

Job Searching in 2025: Staying Grounded in a Skyrocketing Job Market

2025 is shaping up to be the year of opportunity. Especially compared to 2024!  Economists predict a much more robust job market, with companies ready to expand their teams. After years of adapting to virtual interviews, AI-driven screening, and robot colleagues, job seekers are finally catching a break.

But even with the improving landscape, some truths never change: success still hinges on core principles—authenticity, persistence, and patience. These timeless values will guide you through the high-tech, fast-paced hiring world of 2025.

In 2025, authenticity is your not-so-secret weapon. Yes, AI systems can (and likely will) analyze résumés in milliseconds, but hiring managers still want something machines can’t replicate: the real you.

Your résumé and LinkedIn profile might get you past the algorithms, but conveying genuine enthusiasm and values seals the deal.  Employers aren’t just hiring a worker—they want someone who aligns with their mission and culture.  If you don’t align, neither of you will be happy . . . that job won’t last long!

How can you showcase authenticity?

•            Write Like You Talk:  Drop the jargon.  Nobody dreams of "synergizing deliverables."
•            Be Honest About Your Journey:  A career gap? A pivot? Own it with confidence.
•            Show Personality in Interviews:  A smile and lighthearted anecdote can leave a lasting impression.

Authenticity doesn’t mean being unprepared. Tailor your message to the company but stay true to yourself.  If you can’t be “true to yourself”, you probably won’t like the job!  Remember, you’re not trying to impress every employer—just the right one. 

Persistence is the key to progress!
 Even with a booming job market, landing a role in 2025 still takes persistence. Rejection is inevitable in a competitive landscape, but those who learn, adapt, and stay the course will find success.
Think of persistence as a mix of grit and strategy. It’s not about flooding the market with applications but improving with each attempt.

Hiring and Career Advancement in Today's Competitive Landscape

Hiring executives face several key challenges when finding new employees, especially in today’s dynamic job market. These challenges stem from rapid technological changes, shifts in workforce expectations, and competitive industry landscapes. Here are some of the principal obstacles:

Skills Shortages: A major hurdle is the mismatch between the skills required and the available talent. Many sectors, particularly tech and healthcare, face shortages in specific skills like AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

Attracting Top Talent in a Competitive Market: Competition for high-quality candidates, especially in industries like technology, finance, and leadership roles, makes it difficult to secure top talent. Established companies and startups alike offer competitive packages, making it harder for businesses to stand out.

Diversity and Inclusion: Ensuring a diverse candidate pool remains a significant challenge. Executives are under pressure to recruit underrepresented talent and create inclusive hiring practices, which involves overcoming systemic biases and finding qualified diverse candidates.

Cultural Fit and Adaptability: Hiring candidates who fit or add value to the company culture, while also being adaptable to rapid change, is complex. Executives struggle to balance hiring for cultural alignment while fostering innovation and diversity.

Remote Work Adaptation: The shift toward remote work has expanded the talent pool but also introduced challenges in assessing candidates’ abilities to work independently and manage remote teams effectively. Evaluating soft skills like self-discipline and communication is now critical.

Leadership and Succession Planning: Finding leadership talent capable of not only filling current roles but also providing long-term succession planning is a growing priority. Executives need future-proof leaders who can guide companies through technological and economic shifts.

Economic and Industry Uncertainty: Uncertainty in global politics, the economy, rising inflation, and evolving industry strategies and tactics, make it harder for hiring executives to predict workforce needs accurately. Companies are hesitant to over hire or invest heavily in talent during volatile periods.

Balancing Compensation with Budget Constraints: Offering competitive compensation packages that align with market expectations, particularly in high-demand sectors, can be difficult. Balancing competitive pay with budget constraints is a constant challenge for hiring managers.

It’s Not You, The Job Market Is Rough!

I’m consistently hearing the frustration in the voices of candidates looking for a new job.  They’re becoming more and more frustrated with the process.  Sometimes, absolute premier performers’ interest in and application for open positions receive zero response or even acknowledgement of an application being received.  Candidates are frequently ignored or treated with rude disrespect.
 
In June of this year, I decided to see for myself how applicant candidates are treated.  I found that the problem is bigger than I was imagining.  I was surprised and dismayed, when employers consistently ignored my application (for Executive Recruiter).  I didn’t even receive an acknowledgement of my application by most employers.  I never heard from most of them at all.  Way less than half even bothered with a dismissive I’m “No Longer Being Considered”.  No “Thank You” . . . nothing.  Most didn’t bother to respond.
 
A couple of days ago, I was doing some work on LinkedIn, when a candidate I know posted the following article.  Greg is a very insightful marketing researcher and data analyst.  He posted a message on his LinkedIn Profile, that he’s given me permission to share with you.  My goal is to get the attention of employers and help them understand how uncaring, rude and disinterested they treating people!  I can only hope that they're not aware of what's happening.
 
The candidates who have applied to work with that company have shown interest in learning more about them and (hopefully) finding ways to add value and contribute to their culture and profit.  The fact that so many just don’t seem to care, is disconcerting!  In this age of AI, bots and ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems) doing preliminary screening of resumes, you’d think they could at least send an auto-response thanking that candidate for their interest and time spent applying to work with (or more likely, for) them!

Greg Berger’s Original article posted August 22, 2024  on LinkedIn.  Numbers below updated September 23, 2024.

Maximize Marketing Executive Hires with a Specialist Recruiter

Recruitment is a critical function for any business, but finding the right talent in fast-evolving fields like marketing, advertising, and digital media can be particularly challenging. These industries are in a constant state of flux, driven by rapid technological advancements and ever-changing strategies. As a result, businesses seeking top-tier candidates often benefit significantly from working with recruiters who have a deep specialty in these areas, particularly retained recruiters.

Specialized Recruiters Bring Industry Expertise

General recruiters are valuable, but in industries as dynamic as marketing and digital media, companies need recruiters who truly understand the intricacies of the field. Specialized recruiters focus on one niche, developing in-depth knowledge of industry trends, key players, and the evolving skill sets required for success.

In marketing, for example, the shift from traditional methods to digital-first strategies has created demand for talent with skills in SEO, data analytics, social media marketing, and content creation. A specialized recruiter understands these nuances and knows exactly what skills and experiences to look for in candidates and where to look for those candidates. This insider understanding enables them to assess talent more accurately and find candidates who are truly qualified, rather than those who just look good on paper.

Furthermore, digital media and advertising are fields where creativity must align with data-driven decision-making. Knowing how to balance these qualities in a candidate requires a deep understanding of the industry. A recruiter who specializes in this area will be able to distinguish between candidates who have technical skills and those who can also bring innovative, strategic thinking to the table.

The Advantages of Engaged Recruiters

In addition to specialization, retained recruiters offer a distinct advantage for businesses looking to fill key positions. Unlike contingency recruiters, who only get paid if a hire is made, retained recruiters are engaged on an exclusive basis. They work closely with a company to fully understand its needs, culture, and long-term goals.  They’re being paid to understand the fine points of a particular open role.

They’re able to spend the time to develop relationships with candidates, to truly understand that candidate’s vision, values and goals.  This deeper understanding often leads to a more thorough and efficient hiring process, and to candidates to are happier, contribute more and stay with a company longer.

For marketing and digital media roles, this relationship is invaluable. Engaged recruiters are able to take the time to thoroughly vet candidates and ensure they align not only with the technical requirements of the job, but also with the company’s culture and vision. These recruiters often have access to a more extensive and higher-caliber talent pool, including passive candidates identified through research, who aren’t actively looking for jobs but would be open to the right opportunity.

The research can identify top performing candidates from competitors and/or who have  category experience.  Employers can detail much more specifically, precisely what characteristics they’re looking for.  Those traits are then identified through research and/or referrals of colleagues.

Hiring Heatwave: The Unsteady and Unpredictable Talent Market This Summer

As summer winds to a close, advertising agencies and marketing firms have faced unsteady, unpredictable challenges in talent acquisition that reflect broader industry trends and specific pressures unique to these sectors.

Attracting and Retaining Talent in a Competitive Market: The competition for top talent in the marketing and advertising industries is fiercer than ever. Agencies are not only competing against each other but also against tech companies and other industries that offer attractive packages and more flexible work environments. This intense competition has made it difficult for agencies to not only attract but also retain skilled professionals, particularly in digital and creative roles. The rising demand for specialized skills like data analysis, SEO, and AI integration further complicates the landscape, as these skills are in short supply and high demand across multiple sectors.

The Impact of Economic Uncertainty: Economic factors, such as inflation, fluctuating interest rates, and geopolitical instability, have made it challenging for agencies to predict and plan their talent needs. Many agencies are cautious about expanding their teams, leading to delays in hiring or a preference for short-term contracts over full-time positions, while their clients have the same feelings of uncertainty.

Remote and Hybrid Work Dynamics: The shift towards remote and hybrid work has become a double-edged sword. While it has allowed agencies to access a broader talent pool geographically, it has also introduced challenges in maintaining company culture, fostering team collaboration, and ensuring consistent client service. Balancing the flexibility that remote work offers with the need for in-person creativity and brainstorming sessions remains a significant hurdle.

Why and How Recruiters Add Value in Hiring Top Performers

In today’s competitive job market, hiring top performers is critical for organizations aiming to maintain a competitive edge. However, attracting and securing these high-caliber individuals is no easy feat, especially when they are already thriving in their current roles. This is where skilled recruiters come in, playing a pivotal role in the talent acquisition process.

The Value of Engaging Passive, Top-Performing Candidates

One of the most significant contributions recruiters make is their ability to engage passive candidates—those who are not actively seeking new opportunities but who may be open to the right one. Top performers are often deeply committed to their current employers, having invested time and effort into achieving success within their organization. These individuals are not scouring job boards or sending out resumes; they are busy excelling in their roles. Engaging with these passive candidates requires a nuanced approach that goes beyond standard recruitment practices.

Recruiters add value by leveraging their networks, industry knowledge, and relationship-building skills to identify and connect with these top performers. They understand that these candidates are not just looking for a job; they are looking for a significant opportunity that aligns with their personal and professional goals. By positioning the opportunity as a natural next step in the candidate’s career progression, recruiters can effectively persuade them to consider making a move.

Understanding the Vision, Values, and Goals

A key aspect of a recruiter’s role is aligning the vision, values, and goals of both the client (the hiring organization) and the candidate. This alignment is essential for ensuring long-term success and satisfaction on both sides.

For the client, it’s not just about filling a role—it’s about finding a candidate who will thrive in their corporate culture, contribute to the company’s mission, and stay committed over the long term.
A recruiter’s deep understanding of the client’s business, culture, and strategic objectives enables them to identify candidates who are not only technically qualified but also a cultural fit.

On the candidate side, top performers are often driven by more than just a paycheck. They seek roles that offer growth opportunities, align with their values, and allow them to contribute to meaningful work. Recruiters who take the time to understand a candidate’s career aspirations, personal values, and long-term goals are better positioned to match them with roles where they can truly excel.

The Art of the Match

Recruiters act as matchmakers, carefully balancing the needs and desires of both the client and the candidate. This involves more than just assessing qualifications on paper; it requires deep insight into what makes both parties tick. The best recruiters are those who can see beyond the resume and job description to identify synergies that others might miss.

For example, a recruiter might recognize that a candidate’s experience in a different industry could bring fresh perspectives to the client’s team. Or they might see that a candidate’s personal values closely align with the company’s mission, making them a perfect cultural fit. By focusing on these deeper connections, recruiters can facilitate matches that lead to lasting, successful hires.

Conclusion

In the quest to hire top performers, recruiters provide immense value by engaging passive candidates, understanding the vision, values, and goals of both clients and candidates, and making thoughtful, strategic matches. Their expertise not only saves time and resources but also ensures that the right people are placed in the right roles, driving success for both the individual and the organization. In a world where top talent is a key differentiator, the role of the recruiter is more important than ever.

Please get in touch with me and let’s talk about how I can help you research and recruit and hire the  best performers at any level in modern marketing, advertising or digital media.  Thank you!

Recruiters Who Specialize Offer Exceptional Value

I recently had a meeting with a client who asked if I knew of any “local” VP level Strategy Directors?  I told him that in fact, I did . . . I explained I was recently contacted by a very experienced and successful EVP level “Head of Strategy”.  He’s worked at premier agencies and helped them win millions of dollars in new business . . . clients like, HP, Dell, British Telecom, a Renowned University’s Medical Center, Japan Airlines, Universal Orlando among many others. 
 
He has international experience, collaborating with teams on almost every continent, with agencies like TBWA, Ogilvy & Mather, Mindshare, FCB Global . . . !  I could go on and on . . this senior strategist is very, very special . . . and,  he’s willing to re-locate!
 
I’m using Steve as an example.  Because we specialize and have earned a trusted reputation over 20+ years in business, we have exceptional, top performers in almost any discipline a brand or agency might need.  Our database is over 11,000 and we have more than 7300 LinkedIn Connections.  We have superior marketing and media performers in a diverse range of vertical categories . . . located all over North America.
 
The added benefit is that these candidates are open and ready to be interviewed.  These candidates are not actively job hunting but are open to new opportunities that align with their career goals. This initial stage of research and identification of existing candidates could take less than one or two weeks!
 
Our thorough process ensures that we understand the vision, values, and goals of our candidates. This knowledge leads to retention, with over 70% of our candidates staying with our clients for more than three years.  This knowledge allows us to negotiate fair and discounted fees since the comprehensive search process is expedited. We're happy to pass these savings on to our clients.
 
The client I met with was surprised and had never thought about utilizing the existing database of a recruiter who specialized, in this way.  There are other advantages and benefits, but the ease, speed and quality of hire, simply can’t be beat!  Neither can the cost of this service.
 
Get in touch with me and I’m happy to answer any questions for you! 

2024 Job Market Chaos: What U.S. Workers Really Want from Employers

Every day, I speak with candidates who are incredibly frustrated by the job application process, whether through an online posting or even applying directly to the employer.  It’s a very unsatisfactory process . . .

Though 2024 is only about halfway over, I think most of us can agree that this year has been anything but predictable. Hiring is all over the place, with some sectors facing layoffs while others continue to staff. Even the monthly BLS jobs report offers little clarity amid the relative chaos. And that’s without getting into the other myriad factors impacting the recruiting landscape. 

Still, even without a pithy catchphrase to describe what’s happening (Great Resignation, anyone?),
it’s evident that there are gaps between where employers stand and what job seekers experience. That’s what the 2024 Employ Job Seeker Nation Report sought to uncover by surveying more than 1,500 U.S. workers in April. Here’s a look at some of what these folks had to say: 

    They’re keeping the door open. While 79 percent of workers are     satisfied with their current jobs, some 86     percent would entertain     other opportunities, with 46 percent eager to see what’s next.

    They’re starting with what they know. Though 4 in 10 workers     indicated they are seeking new     employment, the majority (58     percent) have looked for a new position within their current company.

    They’re after more than just money. Higher compensation is a factor     in looking for a new job, but it’s not     the only one. Career     advancement, greater flexibility or remote work, better company leadership, better     company culture and a change in location     are also top of mind.

    They’re confident in their candidacy. Half of active candidates believe that finding a job in this current     market is easy, with     56 percent saying that today’s job market favors candidates. Collectively, about two-    thirds of respondents think it will take them     less than three months to find a new job.

    They do have some concerns. Year over year, workers’ concerns about layoffs increased by six     percentage points to 40     percent in 2024. At the same time, concerns about their employer’s financial future also rose four points to 38 percent.

But what does it all mean?  Our team’s analysis shows that while workers understand the complexities of the labor market,

Unleashing Superior Talent Acquisition: Harness the Power of Specialized Expertise

Earlier this week I had a long conversation with a new client prospect.  She didn’t understand the benefits of "engaging" a recruiter who’s a specialist in the area she’s looking for help with.  She did not understand why she should pay any portion of the fee in advance.  I’ll save my response to that question in another blog post!
 
I went back through our conversation and decided to summarize the benefits of using a recruiter specialist, so those of you who might need help from a third party recruiter in the future, will understand what some of the benefits are and be able to make a more informed decision for your company's benefit.

1.  In-Depth Industry Knowledge:  Specialized engaged recruiters have a deep understanding of their specific industry, enabling them to identify candidates with the precise skills, experience, and cultural fit required. Their expertise in industry trends and challenges ensures they stay ahead in sourcing top talent.

2. Targeted Network and Access: Recruiters specializing in a particular field have a targeted and extensive network within that industry. They build relationships with key players, influencers, and passive candidates who are often inaccessible to generalist recruiters. This access increases the likelihood of finding highly qualified candidates open to the right offer.

3. Enhanced Candidate Evaluation:  Specialized recruiters possess an experienced understanding of the technical and soft skills required for roles in their field. This expertise allows them to conduct precise candidate evaluations, including assessing industry-specific competencies and cultural alignment. They ask the right questions and understand nuanced responses, leading to a more accurate assessment of a candidate's suitability.

4. Strategic Insights and Advice:  With their specialized knowledge, recruiters can offer strategic insights and advice tailored to your industry. They help refine job descriptions, compensation packages, and employer branding to better attract top talent. Their understanding of industry benchmarks and best practices ensures your hiring strategy is competitive and aligned with market standards.  All their experience and expertise is focused on you, the Client in support of recruiting the very best talent available.

5.  Efficient Search Process: Specialized recruiters streamline the search process by quickly identifying and reaching out to potential candidates within their network. Their industry specific referral network professional associations, and networking events allows them to efficiently identify, source and screen candidates. This efficiency reduces the time-to-fill for difficult roles, helping you secure the best talent faster.

A Recruiter’s Reputation + Reach + Referrals = Results + Repeat Clients!

I'm happy to say that after more than 20 years of working to be the best marketing recruiter around, my reputation continues to lead to premier marketing leaders across North America getting in touch and trusting me to help in representing them for their next career opportunity.  It's become pretty clear that the entire range of career responsibilities are aware of Bishop Partners and get in touch.  I.e. A first year marketer with sports teams' and venues' successes in a Chicago suburb or a CMO with Fortune 100 experience with global CPG brands in Palm Beach FL.
 
Recent Resumes From Marketing Leaders, that are trusting Bob for Representation:
All are open to hybrid or remote work.
 
Senior Digital Analytics & Health Systems Manager, St. Louis,  7 Years’ Experience, MS in Statistics
Agency Experience with Healthcare & Pharma Fortune 500 Brand experience,
 
Director of Digital Strategy & E-Commerce, Dallas, 14 Years’ Experience
Footwear, Automotive, Sports & Outdoor Activity,  Multi-lingual (English, Spanish, French)
Quantitative Research & Business Insights, Media Planning & Buying
Grew media from 0 to 12M webpage views, 4.2M Instagram Followers, 720K X, 1.6M Facebook
 
Chief Marketing Officer, West Palm Beach, 19 Years’ Experience, MBA
Healthcare, Technology, Energy, GE, NFL, AI, Multiple Tech Certifications
Designed 90% surge in Most Qualified Leads, adding over $1.25B in revenue in 18 months

Corporate HR is Uncomfortable with Modern (Digital) Marketing Recruiting!

Three of our most recent Clients have all said to me, “Our HR recruiters don’t know what to look for with digital media candidates”! That’s not at all surprising, considering how overworked most HR folks are and considering how much digital media changes . . . often weekly! Hiring for digital media professionals is not easy. Companies of every size, all over the US are moving their marketing and media buying in-house. Many are creating or seriously upgrading their internal marketing capabilities and capacity. Most are at the least, trying to get some digital media expertise in-house.

Even marketing/advertising agencies struggle to recruit sufficient marketing and media professionals, to meet their clients’ needs.

There is rapidly increasing demand for digital expertise. Those experienced marketers who have expertise with digital media strategies and tactics, earn great incomes. They know they’re in demand, so if they’re not happy where they are, it’s not difficult to move to a better employer . . . especially with remote workers being more acceptable. Most expert and experienced digital marketers are very happy with their current employers. Posting a job and “praying” for an adequate response, is the norm, and it’s a doomed strategy, especially if there’s any urgency to the hire.

One solution is to hire a recruiter with digital marketing/media understanding, experience and consistent success. Today, digital strategy affects every word (literally) of online communications, from Facebook, Instagram and Twitter to paid media advertising or PPC.

With over 20 years of experience and expertise in digital media, Bishop Partners is extremely well positioned to help. We understand the terminology of the strategies and tactics, we can identify the experts from the ‘wannabes’. Most importantly, we can recruit those personalities with the vision, values and career goals that combine with the employer, to create that “Perfect Fit”.

Beginner's Guide to Starting a Small Business

If you’re looking for a way to become an active member of your community, consider starting a business. Local entrepreneurs help cities and neighborhoods thrive. They pave the way for industry and contribute to upward growth for everyone around them. Here are some tips for how to create a business that’s interwoven with your community:

Getting Started
Set a strong foundation in order to build a company you can be proud of:

● Take a look at this article to figure out if you’re ready to start a business.
● Look over different business structures to see which is right for you.
● Raise funds through loans, grants, investors, or crowdfunding.

Building a Local Team
Create jobs for your neighbors and build a unified team:

● Freelancers can help you handle basic foundational tasks, such as accounting or email marketing, while you build a full staff.
● Be sure to do an honest audit of your own skills in order to see what gaps you need to fill with your team.
● For example, if you don’t have much marketing experience, you may want to consider using a marketing recruiter to help you find a great fit.
● Even if you’re hiring locally, you can still consider hiring remote workers in order to

Photo Credit: Pexels

reduce office costs and attract self-motivated candidates.

Staying Community-Minded
Your business has the power to make a real difference in your community:

● Offer your product or services to local people and businesses to build relationships.
● Build charitable giving into your budget so you can support local improvement efforts.
● Join your local chamber of commerce in order to stay knowledgeable on what’s happening and connect with other business owners.

With time, local businesses can become defining elements of a neighborhood or city’s character. Focus on building a business that supports the community, and it will support you in kind!

Identifying & Hiring Top Talent Efficiently

Every owner, CEO, President or hiring manager often has a problem to solve. The need could be the result of Covid layoffs, retirement, building bench strength, budgeted growth plans, replacing an under performing team member or one that has moved on. Regardless, the position needs to be filled as quickly as possible, by a candidate who is a professional fit for the role, and equally important, one who is a strong cultural fit for your organization. You need them to flourish on and with your team. 

Sure, you can post your open position on job boards and receive hundreds of applicants and perhaps a handful will work in the industry. Nevertheless, most will not be qualified for your role and they will have no specific industry experience. Perhaps a handful will have worked in the industry but aren’t qualified for your role. You will spend countless hours (which translates into wasted time and money) sorting through resumes and talking to people who cannot solve your problem. If you are lucky, you may get one that you can hire. Are you seeking to ‘get lucky’ in filling this crucial need?  Is that a result worth the amount of time spent?

A better approach is to align yourself with an industry specific, professional recruiter. One that understands your product(s), how you go to market, who your competitors are, and will understand the specific issues that you need the candidate to solve.  Your ‘industry expert’ recruiter is well connected with the people in YOUR industry vertical and ultimately can qualify anywhere from 50 – 200 people (depending on the position). In the end, you will get the best 3 or 4 candidates who are actually excited for the opportunity to join your team! 

Sometimes (especially with highly technical roles) it may be as few as 1 or 2 candidates introduced. Regardless, this is the ‘less is more’ approach. You will receive quality candidates, fully vetted and qualified to fit the specifications of your role, both professionally and culturally.  They will know enough about your company to know that this is actually a career opportunity for them.

Don’t fall into the ‘we need to see more’ before we can make an offer trap. Remember, time to thoroughly qualify a candidate…has already been spent for you. Focus on who is in front of you – the qualified candidate that will solve your problem while achieving success for you and your organization.

Written by my friend Ted Konnerth, CEO of Egret Consulting and lightly edited by me.

Bishop Partners Celebrates 19 Years of Recruiting and Executive Placement! Thank You!

July 1 was the 19th Anniversary of Bishop Partners and my becoming an Executive Recruiter! This past year was both the best and the worst in some ways. It was the best professionally and personally, but Covid-19 has obviously had unbelievable impact on all of our lives and jobs.

Fortunately, this past year has been professionally excellent. I was worried that people (Clients especially) would think that my move to Florida, meant that I was retiring. Not even close! Fortunately, Barbara’s and my move for personal reasons has had little impact on my business. I’ve survived past recessions, terror attacks and social unrest. My experience and national reputation continues to be a strong foundation for Bishop Partners’ ongoing success. I’m thankful!

I want to thank all of you who have contributed to our success over these past 19 years. I wouldn’t still be here without your support, your positive feedback and your referrals . . . to both colleagues (Candidates) and Employers (Clients). Thank you!

Even though I had two searches cancelled at the offer stage in early April, I’ve been pretty busy. I have new Clients in St. Louis, Austin, Ft. Lauderdale and Las Vegas. That reputation (and maybe my blog?) has been responsible for conversations in the past six weeks about the strategic hiring of a company’s missing talent.

I’ve had conversations with Clients about a Digital Strategy Director, several about New Biz Developers, top grading for a VP level Media Strategist, a Director of Marketing and a Director of Sales and Marketing. A Former Client contacted me and asked me to start thinking about candidates who could be President of a new agency she’s launching. Someone will call and say, I’m interested in the best talent you know of in a particular specialty or vertical . . . recruiters with a specialty know who the most valuable candidates are (and the candidates know who the best recruiters are!). It’s rewarding to be a trusted resource!

I’m proud of how I’ve been able to help candidates with their resumes and a strategy for unexpectedly having to find a new job. It’s very satisfying to help someone take the next step in their career path. We all

Enhance Your Talent Pipeline - Now!

This is the perfect time to enhance your talent pipeline!  The situation caused by Covid-19, is unlike any other economic slowdown in history. It’s not driven by economics, but by biology. Just like SARS, or MERS or H1N1, this pandemic will end. We’re seeing encouraging signs of employment and the stock market rebounding. Even NYC has taken the first steps of “opening up”. There’s a cautious optimism about our economy.

Executive leadership teams are having strategic conversations about what to do as their business picks back up. Every furloughed worker will not be brought back. This is an opportunity to re-position, refine and “topgrade” those critical roles that will help bring your brand or company back and lead it into the future. ‘Bringing back’ is just the start. Creating meaningful strategy and innovations based on what will be a new reality, is essential for brand survival and growth. This is the time to scrutinize, refine and enhance your team for maximum efficiency and productivity.

Candidates have never been more accessible. They thought their employers had a very positive feeling about them. Many believed themselves to be ‘indispensable’. Many were absolutely stunned and angry, after having been furloughed or laid off. Now, they’re home, they’re answering their phones and have the time and willingness to re-consider their career futures. I know that many previously happy and engaged executive and employees are not so happy or engaged right now.

Before Covid, candidates couldn’t be reached, they were too busy or they were travelling to events or in meetings. It was difficult to have a conversation during work, if there didn’t happen to be a conference room or some other place to accept a recruiter’s call. Now is the best time (maybe ever) to contact top candidates. There’s time to find “the best of the best”. I’ve never had such a high percentage of candidates answer my calls and be willing to listen to and consider new opportunities.  The "Covid Side Effect"

Between telephone and Zoom interviews, we’re able to get a really clear picture of a person’s skills, experience and personality. The hiring process can often take 30 or more days . . . It makes sense to start, continue or re-charge the interview process, right now. Candidates want to hear about opportunities! They return calls promptly.

While I understand that this might not the time to bring someone on board, it is the perfect time to start to identify the pool of candidates (or create a pipeline) for other searches. There’s opportunity for more “first interviews” by video and phone.

There’s never been such a confluence of time, opportunity and availability, to get phone conversations started. Now is the best time we’ve seen in years, to build your candidate pipelines! Bishop Partners is trusted, experienced and ready and willing to help. Give us a call!

This “Time of Covid” Demands Empathy, Communication and Respect

This is a time of banding together, understanding others’ circumstances and treating everyone with respect. Looking for a job and applying for a job are anxiety provoking issues . . . especially if someone finds themselves in the position of currently being without work and any source of income. There’s no more insecure feeling . . .

Imagine how that anxiety is being compounded every hour of every day right now, as we hear more and more uncertainty about COVID-19. Social media is amplifying this pandemic and making wildly irresponsible predictions and projections about what could happen. Broadcast news is more measured, but endless . . . More anxiety provoking . . . Job seekers are understandably freaking out!

I currently have candidates in front of several Clients for new career opportunities. All of the candidates have received positive feedback on their initial conversations with those Clients. Now, after two weeks, we’re still waiting to hear what might be next.

I understand that nobody really knows what’s next or how to plan for that uncertainty. Nonetheless, I’d like employers to step up and do a much better job of communicating with their pending candidates. Yes, their candidates, they’re not someone else’s!

In most cases those candidates have spent multiple hours preparing for that initial interview, research everything they could find, on what they hope will be their new Employer. Employers have a nasty track record of communicating with job seekers. In some (most) cases, there’s (still) zero Employer response. With today’s technology, there’s just no excuse for no response!

Why A New Partnership Means New Opportunities

I’m thrilled to announce a new strategic relationship with ROJEK Consulting. ROJEK is a premiere marketing consulting firm that advises Fortune 500 brands and growing companies on their marketing management strategies.

I first learned about ROJEK through industry articles in Ad Age and Adweek over the years. ROJEK and their founder/leader Lorraine Stewart were (and are) clearly one of the leading advertising consulting resources for consumer brands in the US. Their reputation and work has been established from advising companies like GM, Planet Fitness, UPS, travelocity and White Castle, among many others, to best identify and evaluate their advertising industry and digital marketing suppliers. In 2020 their consulting services for CMOs also includes executive talent recruitment and executive coaching programs for in-house creative teams.

Several years ago, I was pleased when Lorraine asked me to help her with a project she was working on at the time. As a result of our successful experience we have expanded our practice and offering leveraging our skills and experiences.  This service includes recruiting services for CMOs, CCOs and other marketing and creative leaders, as well as helping a company plan, structure and recruit its in-house creative capabilities, a fast-growing current trend. I look forward to working with the full ROJEK team of other pros, many of whom have been successfully consulting with ROJEK’s clients for decades.

So why have marketing leaders trusted ROJEK for so many years?

The answer is the same values-based approach in business that I also practice, respect and share. Lorraine pioneered the critical importance of understanding a client company’s culture as the basis for building high performance client-agency teams to build brands. It’s their proprietary and proven approach to advertising agency recruitment. Simply stated ROJEK likes to “Start with Culture, Finish with Fit™"

I agree.

Bishop Partners’ long standing success of our executive placements with our Clients validates this thinking. The reason more that than 70% of our candidates hired for the job and stay for more than three years, is because of our focus on cultural fit. We also make sure that the vision, values and goals of both parties’ are in tight alignment. This approach is far superior to recruitment efforts that just “check the boxes” on the basics, required skills and relevant industry experience.

The Secret of How The Best Executive Recruiters Sustain Employer Culture

Business owners, principals and leaders want to know how the best executive recruiters sustain employer culture

If you Google “Company Culture”, in 0.67 seconds, you’re overwhelmed by 127,000,000 results. There’s an incredible amount of interest in company culture, because it’s perceived as the foundation for everything from employee stability, to corporate growth, profitability and sustainability. Most will agree that a Company’s culture is fundamental to the success or failure of that company, by any measure.

There are an incredible number of “measures” of a culture. Some say there are four types, some say eight and some say 10! There’s no one right answer.  The question is really, do you know how to add those ingredients (both tools and people) which will support, then improve your culture? Do you know what and who not to add to that culture? The knowledge of both is absolutely critical! Couple that with the skilled talent shortage and you can see why recruiters are in demand. “Post and Pray”, isn’t working any better than ever and certainly fails when viewed through the lens of culture.

The most recent issue of AdAge had the annual “Best Places to Work” issue.  There’s no question that better culture contributes to employee and stakeholder happiness, whether the company’s a start-up or Fortune 25. Happiness for employees isn’t necessarily driven by money, as it is for many other stakeholders. Still employee happiness leads to better fiscal results. “Companies that invest in their employees both at work and beyond the office yield big dividends. Top-ranked companies invest significant time and effort in creating, writing and sharing company culture and visions to foster an atmosphere of support and caring for their employees.

The factors that most relate to high workplace ratings encompass feelings of support, encouragement, empowerment and purpose—areas where top-performing companies exceed expectations.

Leaders of top-ranked companies make a conscious effort to provide support and benefits to empower their employees—both as workers and as human beings who have a life. Investments in employee empowerment and supportive services result in happier, more productive employees.
Employees’ experiences at a top-rated company tend to be better across the board. Employees at top-performing companies feel differently about their relationships with their co-workers and management. They respect and have fun with their colleagues and feel there is opportunity for advancement.”

How To Future-Proof Your Career In A Fast-Changing, Unforgiving Global Job Market

Last week, I was interviewed by Jack Kelly, for an article in Forbes.  I was impressed with Jack's thinking and some of the subjects of his articles and/or blog.  Here's one of those articles, I thought especially on target and likely of interest to many . . .

We are living in a fast-paced, unstable time period where things change swiftly and dramatically. The corporate world is more dynamic and chaotic than ever. In our parents’ or grandparents’ generations, they would accept a job and hold onto it throughout the entire duration of their careers. However, those days are over and done with. The advancement of technology, globalization and the corporate view that employees are disposable have all changed the game. We can no longer view our careers as safe and sacrosanct. You can be sitting in your office chair this morning, happy and satisfied. Then, two weeks later, there’s a corporate-wide reorganization and you’re shown the door. You can be replaced by technology or a less-experienced, lower-cost employee. Your job could be moved to another country or your role could be deemed no longer relevant or required. The only constant is change.

It's critically important to start a plan to prepare for your future. It's career self-sabotage to believe that things will stay the same and that you’ll confidently climb up the corporate ladder. It's career malpractice to act like an ostrich, stick your head in the ground, hope for the best and ignore the reality of the changes happening around you. You need to be bold, confident and aggressive in managing your career in the face of uncertainty. It's not easy nor is it pleasant to think about, but you must do it. 

Here is how to start:

1. You need to change your mindset on several fronts. We all derive a sense of status from our career, the company we work for and job title. When you sit down at a family dinner or meet new people, you enjoy a little humble brag about what you do for a living. While that’s fine, you’ll need to divorce your ego attachment to your current career.