Ahead of the Pack

This book was written for those who want to advance their careers with input on important parts of the process from the perspective of someone who has "been there and done that." It is especially important following the impact of the Pandemic on professions across the board. There are professionals who lead a wide range of companies that need top talent. There are professional recruiters who help client companies find the best talent that match their needs. And there are the professionals, "Candidates", actively managing their career trajectory, evaluating opportunities that might fit their targeted career path while always sharpening their skills, experience and gaining comfort with their personal characteristics and leadership style. This book is for Candidates. Now, likely more than ever, an understanding and command of the skills outlined in this book are most important. Competitive skills, like it or not, will be required to move forward, as many maneuver for fewer positions. It will take some time to get back what was lost professionally. This book is designed to help. This book is not just for those who aspire to the C-Suite but is a guide for those who want one day to work toward leadership roles. Missing in the literature is an up-to-date comprehensive view, not mired in tons of wasted details, hitting the key points directly and efficiently - what you need to know about the process of working with recruiters to manage your career and advance - just the facts. It is about addressing what you will need to know to be more effective in understanding the recruiting process and advancing your career with that knowledge. Some subjects you will find are not materially different - because they are basic to the process. A key difference - frequent "My Advice to Candidates" throughout the book that is the author's judgment on various relevant subjects, less politically correct, more direct, often what is thought, not spoken. It is not a short story written to entertain. It represents what has worked for the author. This practical experience across a wide range of relevant professional assignments, as a Candidate, a Retained Recruiter and a Company Executive, provides a perspective that is unique. This book will provide a different viewpoint. It includes an opinion, from direct experience, on all sides of the equation, for the primary benefit of Candidates. Access is provided to a website with templates for creating a no-nonsense resume, CV or bio and examples of resumes that include aspects you need to communicate - without the frills and importantly, at stages in your career, and it includes a few high level planning tools - for your SWOT and Career Planning. Once in a lifetime the world experiences a "Black Swan", (Taleb, Random House, New York). We are experiencing such an event with the recent pandemic, affecting our lives and careers in ways none of us predicted. These indescribable challenges take precedence over anything you might have on your plate, making recommendations, small or large, in this book seems like a low priority. Doing these things are secondary to helping your family through the immediate needs of this crisis. While secondary, do not forget the structure suggested here remains important - likely more important for the future as those best prepared will be in a great position when things return to the new normal, we will all face together. You want to be ready when companies are again hiring. If the author can provide a handful of ideas that help you manage your career, and get your life back on the right track, he will have accomplished his objectives and made some contribution to your move "Ahead of the Pack".