Q: What did you do prior to becoming a recruiter?
A: I graduated
from the University of Minnesota to pursue the family funeral home business
as a 3rd generation funeral director. Our family had 4 funeral homes located
in Northeastern Wisconsin. What is ironic, in the training for the funeral
business, is how similar the counseling skills are to similarly needed recruiting
counseling techniques. Candidates identify so much with their jobs that when
they lose their jobs, they often times lose their identity. This causes grief
and loss along with a redefinition or re-packaging of who they are. I bounced
around for nearly ten years in many jobs after this dramatic 360 degree change
for similar reasons. It took me longer than expected to find my niche again.
I worked in construction, 3 months of recruiting, landscaping, sign sales,
more than one multi level marketing opportunities, financial investments
sales, real estate, consulting, automobile sales, training, self employment
to name a few.
Q: What year (xx, xx, xxxx) did you become
a recruiter?
A: I worked for a very
interesting cigar chain smoking recruiter manager in the early 80's named
Arnie for about 3 months in Minneapolis. At the time, I was not confident
enough to continue making phone calls and I didn't understand the business.
I left to pursue many other fleeting interests. I returned permanently to
recruiting after my family moved to San Antonio in October of 1988 when I
went to work for one of the two Management Recruiters franchises I worked
at.
Q: Why did you become a recruiter?
A. The large
number of jobs I had taught me that I had a variety of interests. I could
complete projects, and I loved developing, training and presenting to people.
I knew how to get jobs but I would grow bored with them only to move on to
another after short periods of time. When we moved to San Antonio, I had
my first experience with a recruiter. It was such a bad experience that I
felt that if I could get into the business and actually work it the right
way, I could make a good living at it. I answered an ad for several jobs
in the paper and went to work for Management Recruiters. My entire life
experience and wrestling with the question of "What am am supposed be doing
in life" resulted in a faith experience for me and the publishing of a book
titled, " The Resident Voice." (http://www.theresidentvoice.com).
It is available on _Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, or at the publisher,
Xulon Press.com.
The book is a simple faith based
read that walks through the steps of "How to I apply my gifts and talents
to my purpose in life." It has also led to a various speaking arrangements
including the Career Transition Workshop
Q: If you went out on your own as a recruiter what
prompted that decision?
A: At the second
management recruiter office I worked for, I had built the food processing
desk for the owner. We worked in a medium sized cubicle setting that seemed
like a boiler room to me. The high noise level of the office finally got
me motivated to change and managements controlling nature pushed me towards
the idea that "I can build a better company with recruiters that feel as
I do." A former placement of mine also approached me about partnering in
business as he wanted to leave corporate america as well. The pay I earned
at that time was around $75,000 with MRI. The first year on my own had more
than doubled on my own. I finally felt I was on the right
track.
Q: Who were your role models and are
you mentoring others now?
A: My father
in law was a Vice President of a multi-billion dollar company in San Antonio
before he retired in 1998. He taught me many lessons not so much by instruction
but more by observing his unquestionable character. Today, I am a mentor
with a free service that has been in existence called the Career Transition
Workshop, based out of Dallas. This organization was founded by out placement
ghuru, John McDorman. http://www.careertransitionworkshop.org/ - It
is a faith based organization dedicated to helping people get back on
track.
Q: If you were asked what your job title is,
how would you respond?
A: I actually like
the term Headhunter. My personal belief is that I am a guide to others not
just for careers but for challenging peoples whose paths I am fortunate enough
to come in contact with and have them ask and answer tough life questions.
The search for the answers to those tough questions can be found in places
where we often times don't expect to find them.
Q: Is your primary job function sales
driven or recruiting driven?
A: It is development
driven. I believe that we should be in the market daily developing relationships
with the key leaders in the field. This also gives us a better perspective
on the business as well. We are to bring solutions to our candidates and
clients, not only "Look what deal I have for you today" The end result of
a recruiting business in this way brings more referrals, trust and larger
paychecks in the end. The people we come across know they can trust us be
everyone a better.
Q: Is your primary job function sales or
recruiting driven?
A:
To
me, those functions are totally integrated. By selling effectively, you show
those you wish to recruit that you are competent and well-informed. And since
you should be recruiting everyone with whom you speak, or planning to recruit
someone they know or know of, you just never stop selling and you never stop
recruiting.
Q: Why did you join USRC and what prompts you
to continue to be a member?
A:
The
quality of individuals in the group is very accomplished. It is an excellent
place to share ideas, grow your education, and develop new split partners.
Bob has put together several great services such as Monster and others to
help independents manage the costs of the business. Mark Bolno was the recruiter
that referred me and I am grateful to him for the thought.
Comment: Michael specializes in Food & Beverage
Processing, Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Operations, Engineering, Quality
Control, Maintenance, Supervisors, HR, R & D, and Logistics.
