David-Werner-International’s blog

Testimonial

After a 2 year sabbatical following the sale of our company, David Werner has been providing  excellent services in my search for a high level (directorship, CEO) position. As any seasoned senior executive will realize, the search for these types of positions is different than for most other positions. Hence the services of David are incredibly helpful. He has already secured a fair number of very worthwhile interviews.

For personal reasons, I have placed my search on-hold for a 6-month period. I fully expect that upon resuming the process, with David’s assistance, I will be able to secure a position commensurate with my aspirations. David’s approach, professionalism and dedication are second to none, and I recommend him most highly.

Rudi Leerentveld

Recent news addressing the job market and the economy suggest both may be moving into “more positive” territory and that the stock market may have already seen its lowest point in March.  Of course we have no way of knowing if this is a new trend or a false alarm.  However, we do know - to quote Jim Stewart at www.StewartGroupAssociates.com  (a senior level networking group dedicated to sharing information and leads on meaningful roles in the economy) that “in these unprecedented economic times, ‘elder statesmen’ executives are facing difficult transitions, especially those 55+ years of age who were highly compensated, in a single industry most of their careers and are unwilling to relocate.”

Therefore the question that begs itself is - What advice can we give elder statesmen executives?  How can elder statesmen stand out in the crowd?  In my twenty odd years advising senior executives in transition, I can point to four areas below which they need to focus on to stand out in the crowd and, in doing so, they can address any concerns the hiring company might have.

1. The best way to stand out in the crowd is to have someone make a third party introduction on your behalf.  For example:  “Fred, I suggest you see this guy; I hired him as an attorney to work with me to assist in restructuring the Company and I got more than I expected.  Not only was he hard working, dedicated and a man of high principle, he is also a multi-talented executive.  He made me a chunk of money.”

2. Keep fit and look younger than 55.  That means ensuring that you are perceived to be younger (note the difference between perception and reality) –i.e. don’t give an aura of a smoker or drinker; imply you exercise a lot (even if untrue); avoid discussions about grandchildren.  At interview, move quickly and shake hands with greater than normal energy, speak louder than you might otherwise do, be up to date with the sports scores and if your daily hobby is tennis or jogging, make sure the interviewers know.

3. Be up-to-date with technology – join the younger set!  Ensure that computer tasks performed by those younger than you present absolutely no challenge to you: email, Microsoft Office, Power Point, Google, Yahoo, Twitter, Facebook.  You don’t have to be a programmer.  Indicating you use both PC and Apple would be a big, big plus.  Don’t use AOL (too family oriented); I suggest gmail.  Subscribe to Citrix’s “GoToMeeting” and to “GoToWebinar” and also “GoToMyPC.”  Become a member of “Linked In” and join “Twitter” and “YouTube.”  In other words let people know that “you get it.”  Consider putting your computer and Internet skills on your résumé.

4. Older executives work harder and are more persistent: They have operated in both good and bad times, are less greedy about salary and bonuses, often don’t need health insurance (already covered by prior employment), are more flexible, can accept interim or part time assignments, are prepared to travel back home at weekends and do what is necessary to “get back into the game’ knowing that when the good times return they will be perfectly placed to hit the ground running - having collected a wealth of new business contacts. Above all, older executives have many more references to fall back on; use them.  Surely, it’s much better others talk about you than you about yourself.  However the references must be from senior, credible leaders within your industry. Why not introduce yourself as:  “When I left GE last year to join a smaller company, the well-known CEO said to me ‘What do we have to do to make you stay?’.”  (We actually used this to great effect.)

Remember the goal:  to get back into the game (and I don’t mean the golf course).  Finally the four thoughts above always at the forefront of your mind: be flexible; appear energetic; How am I perceived?  Am I employable? Am I offering value? 

Finally, finally:  remember what Clement Stone (founder of Combined Insurance) described in his book “The Success System that Never Fails”  He was referring to Probability Theory: “The more people you present the policy, the greater is the probability of a sale.”  He also said:

“Tell everyone what you want to do and someone will want to help you do it.”

About David Werner International:

David Werner International is one of New York’s top executive career marketing companies with over 30 years experience in executive career marketing and outplacement services for Presidents and Vice Presidents.  The company now harnesses the power of the internet where they have created personalized career portfolios for their candidates which act as a virtual showcase of a candidate’s history and proven success record.

In addition to helping top executives transition companies, DWIC is also sought out by leading executive corporations to provide specialized marketing services to senior executives.    Throughout their 30 years of successful search and placement, DWIC has provided services to primary corporations such as Viacom, Shell, BFGoodrich, Mobay/Bayer, Pfizer, Time Warner, Alco-Standard, The Equitable, Contel/Executone, Booz-Allen, Tribune Broadcasting, Commercial Union, Revlon and more. 

Executives or corporations can find more information on these and other services offered by David Werner International by visiting them online at http://www.davidwernerinternational.com

David Werner International is one of New York’s top executive career marketing companies with over 30 years experience in executive career marketing and outplacement services for Presidents and Vice Presidents.   Here, David Werner discusses three reasons which he says all point to signs that recovery from the recession is near.

First, the downsizing by American companies were in many cases overdone as evidenced by rehiring the former employees the following the month.

Second, Americans are motivated to want to go back to work - not so in Europe where the safety nets for those unemployed are considerably more generous.  The Wall Street Journal states that in Germany public expenditures in labor market programs as a percentage of GDP were almost 3%, France 2.3 % and in the US only 0.38%.  These differing attitudes to worker protection will influence the speed of recovery. 

Third, America is a country built on entrepreneurialism.  There are ten times more venture capital and private equity firms in the US than in Germany.  In the UK, a handful only account for the large majority of the activity, 3i being an obvious example.  Therefore, we may assume, smaller firms are likely to be generating more jobs and faster growth that the larger ones.

“There are more reasons which point to signs of recovery,” says David Werner.  According to Werner, responses to executive career marketing efforts put forth by his company in the last 4 weeks have nearly doubled.  The phone calls are in response to targeted and tailored career marketing campaigns created and executed by David Werner International on behalf of their clients looking for executive career opportunities.

Werner sees this as a sign of optimism amid growing fears over a troubled economy.  “Granted we are a small niche marketing company (David Werner International works with Presidents and Vice Presidents only), it is clear to see that things are slowly getting better, businesses are gaining more confidence, and they are looking to take advantage of the extraordinary talent currently available,” says Werner. 

According to David Werner International Corporation, the recovery from the recession is already beginning to show.  David Werner also feels that the recovery period will be faster and steeper than any other country in the Western hemisphere for three reasons: 

First, the downsizings by American companies were in many cases overdone as evidenced by rehiring the former employees the following month.

Second, Americans are motivated to want to go back to work - not so in Europe where the safety nets for those unemployed are considerably more generous.  The Wall Street Journal states that in Germany public expenditures in labor market programs as a percentage of GDP were almost 3%, France 2.3 % and in the US only 0.38%.  These differing attitudes to worker protection will influence the speed of recovery. 

Third, America is a country built on entrepreneurialism.  There are ten times more venture capital and private equity firms in the US than in Germany.  In the UK, a handful only account for the large majority of the activity, 3i being an obvious example.  Therefore, we may assume, smaller firms are likely to be generating more jobs and faster growth that the larger ones.

“There are more reasons which point to signs of recovery,” says David Werner.  According to Werner, responses to executive career marketing efforts put forth by his company in the last 4 weeks have nearly doubled.  The phone calls are in response to targeted and tailored career marketing campaigns created and executed by David Werner International Corporation on behalf of their clients looking for executive career opportunities.

Werner sees this as a sign of optimism amid growing fears over a troubled economy.  “Granted we are a small niche marketing company (David Werner International Corporation works with Presidents and Vice Presidents only), it is clear to see that things are slowly getting better, businesses are gaining more confidence, and they are looking to take advantage of the extraordinary talent currently available,” says Werner. 

According to executive career placement specialist, David Werner, there has been a significant increase in responses from businesses looking to fill senior level positions.  The responses to his company’s career marketing efforts have led to more of his clients having phone interviews, conference calls and face-to-face meetings in the last four weeks than in the previous three months. 

Werner sees this as a sign of optimism amid growing fears over a troubled economy.  “Granted we are a small niche marketing company (David Werner International works with Presidents and Vice Presidents only), it is clear to see that things are slowly getting better, businesses are gaining more confidence, and they are looking to take advantage of the extraordinary talent currently available,” says Werner. 

During the past four weeks, Werner says he has received many phone calls from top businesses interested in interviewing his clients for senior level positions.  The phone calls are the result of targeted and tailored career marketing campaigns created and executed by David on behalf of his clientele.  Werner says, “These positive developments are most encouraging.”

About:

David Werner International is one of New York’s top executive career marketing companies with over 30 years experience in executive career marketing and outplacement services for Presidents and Vice Presidents.  The company now harnesses the power of the Internet where they have created personalized career portfolios for their candidates which act as a virtual showcase of a candidate’s history and proven success record.

In addition to helping top executives transition companies, DWIC is also sought out by leading executive corporations to provide specialized marketing services to senior executives.    Throughout their 30 years of successful search and placement, DWIC has provided services to primary corporations such as Viacom, Shell, BFGoodrich, Mobay/Bayer, Pfizer, Time Warner, Alco-Standard, The Equitable, Contel/Executone, Booz-Allen, Tribune Broadcasting, Commercial Union, Revlon and more.  

David Werner

President & Co-Founder

David Werner International

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 2811

New York, NY 10170-0132

(212) 682-8888

dwerner@dwic.com

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David Werner International says executive career searchers should harness the power of the Internet to disseminate resumes and work history information as well as accelerate the job placement timeline.  The recession has increased the competitive nature of job seekers and the use of the internet has changed the playing field for those savvy enough to capitalize on its powers.

 New York-based David Werner International specifically caters to senior executives in a period of career transition.  The top executive search firm offers individualized career marketing services which incorporate virtual representations of a candidates resume online. 

Today’s job seekers are now competing with technologically advanced competitors who can exploit the power of the internet to create a web enabled playing field.  Candidates who can use technology to show case their potential will have a competitive edge over the rest.  Getting noticed in today’s market shuffle is becoming increasingly more difficult.  Utilizing online professional portfolios is one way David Werner International helps their candidates stand out from the rest.

 Employers need to ‘build their own brand’ to market their experience and value to a potential hiring company.  The internet allows candidates to build personal websites and display these virtual portfolios which tell the story in a captivating and clear presentation, something words typed on a paper cannot. 

The online portfolio service offered by David Werner International is a virtual presentation of an elaborate resume which utilizes graphs and charts to show a candidate’s success and achievements.  The system helps prospective employers visualize the value a candidate can bring to their firm. 

 An example of an online portfolio can be seen at  http://www.webportfolios.net/lab/cxo/