The rules and boundaries of executive search are not always black and white. As a recruiter I am often faced with a dilemma:
- Do I tell a friend in the sector about an opportunity that would be perfect for them even though it is not with a client company or do I keep my mouth shut because it won't gain me a fee?

I am sure members of your campus are faced with the same challenges everyday.  Does an admissions representative try to enroll a student into a program they initially did not inquire about or do they send them down the street for the exact education they want knowing it's one less student towards their start?

How many times throughout your career have you invented or initiated a process, form, or new idea that quickly became the standard for your organization, school, or maybe even our sector?  More importantly how did you feel when that great idea was quickly adopted by others with no recognition for your ingenuity or hard work?

If you have encountered this scenario during your career then you might relate to the character in "Flash of Genius."  The movie is based on the true story of a college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns' long battle with the U.S. automobile industry.  Granted you or I may not have come up with something as universal as the windshield wiper but it is still our work and we take pride in it.

This afternoon I participated in a training seminar via the Internet.  The session was hosted by Danny Cahill who I think is one of the best trainers in Executive Recruitment.  During the session he talked about a poll taken over the decades asking candidates who switched jobs why they made a move.  The most common answer/corresponding year are listed below:

1979    For an increase in pay.

1989    Positional Advancement.

1999    Boredom.

Every year since 1999 the most common answer was still “boredom”.

My fiance inspired this blog entry while on a current job search.  She is an experience dental assistant with every certification under the sun; has a solid employment history, and glowing references.  We found out 24hrs into her search that she would have her choice of about 12 different offices to work for.  Good news for every career school with a dental assisting program, there are still more jobs then qualified candidates.

She interviewed for several positions and accepted one with an office close to home.  The location was perfect and the pay was much higher than her previous position, but after only 3 days on the job she quit! 

Here is why:

There are many “sayings” or cliché pieces of advice floating around that have sound principals and encouraging words but too often we fail to recognize their importance or follow their words.  This one arrived at my new office yesterday and on the cover of a card that was wishing me well it read:

“LIFE IS 10% WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU AND 90% WHAT YOU DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU.”