I have good news for those recruiters who’d like to see the deadline for “Super Early Bird” Registration for the 2011 National Convention pushed back: we’re pushing it back.

We originally set the deadline for Friday, December 31.  One of the reasons we did that is because we know that a lot of recruiters would like to register for the convention before the end of the year so they can claim the expense of the event on their 2010 taxes.  While that’s important, it’s not the most important aspect of “Super Early Bird” Registration.  The most important aspect would be the fact that we want Preferred Members to attend the convention.

We’ve decided that there are probably plenty of recruiters who are more interested in the $275 per person “Super Early Bird” price than are interested in claiming the expense of the convention on this year’s taxes.  And if that’s the case, setting a deadline of December 31 doesn’t entirely make sense, especially since the dates of the convention are Thursday, May 12, through Saturday, May 14, and Regular Early Bird Registration is going to run for well over two months.

As a result, we’re pushing back the deadline for “Super Early Bird” to the end of the business day on Friday, January 14.  That gives you two more weeks to register for the convention at the special price of $275 per person.  But the price of the convention isn’t the ONLY reason to register.  There are plenty of others, too:

• The site of the convention is The Westin Beach Resort in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.  That’s right, the beach will be right there for you to enjoy . . . and you’ll want to enjoy it, since the average high temperature in Ft. Lauderdale during the month of May is 86 degrees.
• We’ve secured a room rate of $169 per night at The Westin.  You can take advantage of that rate by clicking on a special link on the registration page, but remember that we have a limited number of rooms available at that rate.  So it’s first come, first served.
• The main speaker for the convention will be Jon Bartos of Jonathan Scott International.  Bartos is one of the most popular trainers and speakers in the recruiting industry, and this isn’t the first time that he’s presented for the Network Membership.  Bartos will be addressing the topic of working more efficiently on your desk during a time when recruiters are putting in more hours than ever.
• Once the 50th recruiter has signed up for the convention, we’ll draw a name, and that person will be able to attend the convention for FREE.
• The convention will feature a number of networking opportunities, both formal and informal, including our popular Gala Event.  What will the Gala Event involve?  We’re not at liberty to disclose such information at this time, but we can guarantee that whatever it is, it will be memorable.

We sent out an email a couple of weeks ago with a link to our online 2011 National Convention packet, which includes additional information about the event.  If you missed that packet, now’s the time to take a look at it.

There are already over 20 recruiters registered for the National Convention . . . and we want YOU to be there, too.  We’ve done everything we can to ensure that the cost of attending the convention is as low as possible.  We believe strongly in the power of these events and their ability to help you maximize your Network Membership.  You attend, you meet other recruiters, you form relationships, you trade hot job orders and candidates, and you make split placements.

That’s the way it works, and that’s the way it’s worked ever since we started holding these events.  If you haven’t attended one our conventions in the past, I invite you to call any one of our Top Producers and ask them what role attending such events has had in their success.  I can almost guarantee that there will be a coorelation between the two.  The New Year is poised to be one of resurgence for the recruiting industry.  Join us in that resurgence.  Attend the National Convention.  Have fun.  Meet other recruiters.  Make more placements.  Now THAT’S a happy ending.

View the preliminary agenda.
See who’s already registered.
Sign up for the convention.

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MDemaree@TopEchelon.com
(330) 455-1433, Ext. 172

There are many recruiters in Top Echelon who are enjoying success using the Network’s tools and services.  In this feature, “The Recruiter’s Resume,” we’re going to highlight those recruiters, their accomplishments, and how they’ve been successful.

If you’d like to nominate somebody for this feature (including yourself), send an email to marketing@TopEchelon.com.

Preferred Member:

Glenda Smith of MetalJobs Network in Eastwood, Kentucky

Network Accomplishments:

Smith has made a total of 69 placements in Top Echelon Network since becoming a Preferred Member recruiter, four in 2010.

Glenda’s Keys to Success in Top Echelon Network:

“Staying in touch with recruiters who may have candidates who work my specialty.”

Glenda’s Trading Partners:

“Jeff Ploeger, Janiece Durham, Mike Helffrich, Dave Wick, Bob Millman, and a host of others with whom I stay in touch.”

The Activity Level in Glenda’s Niche (Technical and Professional Manufacturing):

“This year has been a great surprise. The activity level is excellent and it seems it will continue into the new year. Yippee!”

Glenda’s Goals for Future Production in the Network:

“Obviously, I’d like to make more splits. But since the niche I work is very small (manufacturing aluminum extrusions), odds are that the splits I do make will be the unusual ones – the ones where another TE recruiter needs a special candidate with a metals background – something that is outside their own area or when I need a candidate who is outside my area of expertise. I make it a rule to always check the split candidate database for the right candidate before I conduct additional searches.”

Glenda’s Advice:

“Don’t be afraid of picking up the phone and calling any TE recruiter for advice, to get feedback or just to discuss if a concern you have is valid. TE is chock full of the BEST kind of people – recruiters who want YOU to succeed as much as you do. They are always willing to help you in any situation.

“The other thing I’d say is to utilize fully the skills and experience of other TE’ers. That includes using them as your ‘back-office.’  In our TE family, we have experts in all areas of industry and careers, including accounting, construction, plastics, in recruiting doctors, in working with the government, in engineering, in IT and certainly in metals, just to name a few.”

The 2011 Top Echelon Network National Convention is going to be unique for a number of different reasons.  Heck, it’s already unique, and the event is still months six months away.

In talking with recruiters lately, the word I would use to best describe those conversations is “optimistic.”  That’s certainly backed up by our most recent Members’ Area Poll.  We asked Preferred Members about their thoughts regarding the recruiting industry in 2011.  The majority of those who responded were either “very optimistic” or “cautiously optimistic” about the industry in the new year.

Partly because of that optimism, we have high hopes for attendance at the National Convention.  Of course, because of the recession and the state of the economy, attendance at our events has been down for the past couple of years.  However, considering we went back to our previous format of a National Convention and a Fall Conference each year, plus the fact that the economy is continuing to improve, we expect at least 100 recruiters to register for the convention, and quite possibly much more than that.

And why exactly is the National Convention so unique?  Well, let me count the ways:

• For the first time ever, we’re offering a “Super Early Bird” Registration period, which runs until the end of the year (Friday, December 31).  If you sign up for the convention before then, you can register for the low price of $275 per person.  How low is that?  It’s the lowest price we’ve ever offered for a National Convention . . . and it’s not even close.  Added bonus: if you sign up before the end of the year, you can put the expense of attending the convention on this year’s taxes.
• We’re going to give away a free registration. The first 50 recruiters who sign up for the convention will be entered into a drawing.  The winner of that drawing will be able to attend the convention for FREE.  (Of course, they’ll still have to pay for all other associated costs, including travel and hotel expenses.)
• The dates of the convention are Thursday, May 12, through Saturday, May 14.  We don’t typically hold the convention in May.  It’s usually March or April.  Since the location is The Westin Beach Resort in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., the weather should be phenomenally good.

As part of our promotion of the National Convention, we’re going to email a “Convention Packet” to Preferred Members of the Network.  This packet consists of a series of blog posts with additional information about the event (preliminary agenda, Jon Bartos speaker bio, possible flight options, etc.).

Learn more about the 2011 National Convention Packet on our recruiter networking page.

There’s a little over two weeks left to take advantage of our special “Super Early Bird” pricing.  When it comes to experiencing more success in the Network, one of the quickest ways to do that is by meeting other recruiters face-to-face, and the convention offers a great opportunity for that kind of networking.

So I encourage you to invest in your business, in your Preferred Membership, and in 2011.  Join us for the National Convention in Fort Lauderdale.  It’s going to be a great event.

View the preliminary agenda.
See who’s already registered.
Sign up for the convention.

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MDemaree@TopEchelon.com
(330) 455-1433, Ext. 172

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There are many recruiters in Top Echelon who are enjoying success using the Network’s tools and services.  In this feature, “The Recruiter’s Resume,” we’re going to highlight those recruiters, their accomplishments, and how they’ve been successful.

If you’d like to nominate somebody for this feature (including yourself), send an email to marketing@TopEchelon.com.

Preferred Member:

Matt Scheihing of J. Miles Personnel Services in Springfield, Missouri

Network Accomplishments:

Since J. Miles Personnel Services joined Top Echelon’s recruiter network as a Preferred Member firm in February of 2010, Scheihing has made four placements, all of them split placements.  (He also currently has an offer accepted with Dan Simmons of Continental Search & Outplacement, Inc.)

Matt’s Keys to Success in Top Echelon Network:

“We’ve been the supplier and placer an equal number of times, and communication with other Top Echelon Network Trading Partners has been key.  Letting them know what we have that’s really hot and also sharing solid candidates with the Network has also been important.”

Matt’s Trading Partners:

“We’re enthused that of the four splits since we joined Top Echelon Network earlier this year, we’ve worked with three different Trading Partners.”  (John Zurek of Zurek Professional Resources, LLC; Jacquelyn Zajac of ETSI Personnel; and Josie Erent of Talented Minds)

The Activity Level in Matt’s Niche (Technical and Professional Manufacturing):

“The activity level is definitely increasing.  We’re experiencing more job orders being released and candidates are receiving multiple offers.”

Matt’s Goals for Future Production in the Network:

“I will be one of the Top 12 Top-Producing Recruiters in 2011.”

Matt’s Advice:

“I believe it’s critical to locate TE Trading Partners you can work well with.  Finding Partners who I can communicate with and who understand my niche and/or requirements has been key.  In order to accomplish this, you must talk to the other Members to determine who’s a good fit, so pick up the phone and start meeting the people who want to help you.”

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Last week in The Pinnacle blog, we resurrected the popular “Ten Questions” feature, and the first recruiter we interviewed was Preferred Member Jim Folger of ONESource Technical, Inc.  We published the first part of that blog series last week (i.e., the first five questions), and now we’re ready to provide the exciting conclusion!  (Which, of course, would be the last five questions.)

If you’d like to be featured in our “Ten Questions” series, just let us know.  We’ll ask you ten questions.  They won’t be the exact same questions that we asked Folger, but some of them might be the same.  Or they might all be different.  Or some might be the same, and then some might be different.  You get the idea.  If you’re interested, send an email to marketing@TopEchelon.com.

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6. Finish this sentence: “If I wasn’t recruiting, I’d be . . .”

Prior to starting my recruiting practice, I worked as an Electrical Engineer and Engineering Manager at Rockwell.  I’m probably too far removed after recruiting for the last decade to go back to Engineering, but it does help considerably as a recruiter.  I suppose now I could probably be a Recruiting Manager in a company if I decided to get back into Corporate America, but I don’t see that happening any time soon . . .

7. What’s your biggest pet peeve?

When I take Henry the dog out to do his business.  He gets out there and sniffs and sniffs, and looks around, and sniffs and sniffs, and then sniffs some more.  Just do it, for pete’s sake!

8. When you’re not recruiting, what do you do for fun?

When not working, my wife Barb and I are involved in whatever our kids are doing.  Over the years, this has included a variety of recreation, travel, and premier sports (mainly soccer), but now both of our sons (Jimmy, 21, and Ryan, 18) are mostly into music.  Jimmy (who attends Baldwin-Wallace College with a major in Sustainability and a minor in Marketing) is an accomplished guitarist who composes and plays recreationally.  Ryan (a senior at Solon High School) is a percussionist who has aspirations to study percussion performance in college and eventually teach at the college level, play professionally, and teach privately.  Currently, Ryan keeps us very busy with the high school marching band; wind ensemble; jazz band; show choir; and his funk band, “The Phunkhie Panduh Munkhieees.”  Ryan is currently preparing for auditions at The Berklee College of Music (Boston), The Capital University Conservatory (Columbus), and The University of the Arts (Philadelphia).

9. For whatever reason, you have to choose a “last meal.”  What do you order?

I think I would have filet mignon cooked medium to medium-rare.  On the side, I would have grilled onions and mushrooms and a tossed salad with ranch dressing.  Normally, I would stop there, but seeing how this is my “last meal,” I would probably throw in a loaded baked potato.  Oh yeah, and large quantities of red wine . . . and maybe a piece of banana cream pie to top it off.

10. Which actor would play you in a movie about yourself?

Yeah, that’s gonna happen!  Maybe Ray Romano from Men of a Certain Age.

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The “Comments and Compliments” series is one of our most popular features in The Pinnacle blog . . . but so is our “Ten Questions” feature, which we’re resurrecting this week.  After a brief absence—during which The Pinnacle was transitioned over to its current blog format—the feature returns, and up first is Jim Folger of ONESource Technical, Inc.

After all, you may be recruiters, but you’re also people—people with families, interests, hobbies, and quirks.  Why keep all of that intriguing information to yourself?  Well, with a little help from us, you don’t have to.  Although Jim specializes in placing professionals in a broad range of industries, we wanted to delve a little deeper with Top Echelon Network’s “Ten Questions.”  (Editor’s Note: the second half of this blog post will be published next week.)

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1. What’s your most unusual candidate-related or client-related story in the past 12 months?

The last 12 months have been fairly predicable.  Nothing really comes to mind.

2. What’s the last book you’ve read (title and author)?

The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle.  The book provides some interesting perspectives. Many times, people are consumed by worries about past or future events, and it prevents them from fully experiencing the present.  Most of the time the actual things to worry about in the present are fairly negligible.

3. What music is in your CD/MP3 player right now?

A fairly eclectic mix: AC-DC, Alanis Morissette, Barenaked Ladies, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, Big Head Todd & the Monsters, Blue Oyster Cult, Blues Traveler, Bruce Springsteen, Bryan Adams, Counting Crows, Crash Test Dummies, Daughtry, The Eagles, Eric Clapton, Genesis, Indigo Girls, Jackson Browne, John Mayer, Kansas, Led Zeppelin, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Miles Davis, Ozzy Osbourne, Queen, Shaggy, Sheryl Crow, Spin Doctors, Steve Winwood, The Beatles, The Black Crows, The Jackson 5, The Rolling Stones, Tom Cochrane, Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers, U2, UB-40, Yes, and (of course) The Phunkhie Panduh Munkhieees.

4. What’s one of your favorite all-time movies?

The Outlaw Josey Wales, directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Clint Eastwood, Sondra Locke, and John Vernon.  A story about a Missouri farmer who joins a Confederate guerilla unit and winds up on the run from the Union soldiers who murdered his family.  This film brings back fond memories of watching these types of moves with my dad when I was a kid.

A memorable Josey Wales quote: “Now remember, when things look bad and it looks like you’re not gonna make it, then you gotta get mean.  I mean plumb, mad-dog mean.  ‘Cause if you lose your head and you give up, then you neither live nor win.  That’s just the way it is.”

5. What’s one thing that other recruiters in the Network don’t know about you (and that you don’t mind sharing, of course)?

As a much younger person, I studied martial arts for about 20 years.  I got up to the rank of third-degree black belt and taught self-defense to men, women, children, and police for a number of years, and for a while had a dojo with two of my black-belt buddies.  When my kids came along, other things became more important and I took a break.  I did get involved again to teach when my boys were about five years old.  Both boys earned their junior black belts, but then I officially started my transformation into soccer dad and rock band roadie.

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(Editor’s Note: “The Phunkhie Panduh Munkhieees” is the name of Jim’s son’s band.  Check back next week for the “next five questions” with Jim Folger.)

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