THE TALENT MAGNET - CAREER MOVES

As a TRUE Libra; I have been on a lifetime quest for BALANCE. The "scales" have been representative of different parts of my life at different times - but the desire for harmony/equality have been a constant. I find that this is a goal that I share with most people in my life and candidates I meet. We tend to divide or compartmentalize our lives into segments we attach a title to. For me; I always saw my life in the following distinct areas : PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS/LOVE * PROFESSIONAL/MONEY HEALTH/WELL BEING * FAMILY In my "adult" life; I cannot recall when I felt all of the above areas were ALL equally POSITIVE. Perhaps it is naive to expect that this ever happens? I have come close...and had 3 of 4 in a "good place". These quadrants are an oversimplification of very complex, dynamic categories. I believe that BALANCE is so difficult to obtain...in part - due to the fact that they are so connected. For example; when my professional life is th...

http://www.charleyscradle.com/ GUIDE TO FINDING, CHOOSING & PREPARING FOR A BABY NURSE So…your due date is around the corner - you have set up the Nursery – your state-of-the-art stroller is in the hallway…and now you feel that you would really benefit from the help of a Baby Nurse when you come home from the hospital. Most expectant Moms rely solely on the recommendation of their friends/relatives to connect with a Baby Nurse. If you do not have a NEW MOMMY network to tap into – you then begin GOOGLING “Baby Nurse”, “Child Care”, and “Nanny”. The internet is rich with online resources/communities specific to BABIES, EXPECTANT/NEW MOMS. These sites often have areas/discussions/advertisements dedicated to resources for newborn/infant care. In fact, many sites RATE the quality of Baby Nurses provided. However, if you are fortunate enough to have a HEALTHY BABY; you do not need a REGISTERED NURSE. Many Nursing Agencies do provide REGISTERED BABY NURSES – but at a very high hourly rate...

Over the past few months, I have been hard at work establishing the foundation for CHARLEY'S CRADLE. One of the most rewarding things about my time in Healthcare Staffing was the fact that I was contributing to the health and well being of people everyday. The professionals I recruited were providing much needed medical care to patients in Hospitals, Clinics and Nursing Homes. I now have the same opportunity to provide a valuable service that will truly improve the quality of life for my Clients. Being a new Dad - I am extremely aware of the overwhelming responsibility of caring for a newborn/infant. Especially...since I am a first time parent - everything was new to me. I had to learn how to swaddle, how to properly sterilize bottles, how to EFFECTIVELY diaper my son and much, much more! My wife and I were fortunate to have been referred to a lovely Baby Nurse. This referral came after a week of frantic searching, researching & calling to locate a Baby Nurse on my own. I...

So...The Yankees have a new stadium...but get the worst beating in their history (22-4)...Obama decides that a low FLY OVER NYC of Airforce One and an F-16 Fighter Jet is a GOOD PHOTO OP...SWINE FLU has hit and reminds everyone to wash their hands frequently. BUT WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE JOB MARKET? Overall...not too much has changed. Most of the leaders in BEAUTY, ADVERTISING & ENTERTAINMENT that I recruit for are still in some type of HIRING FREEZE. There have been "FLICKERS" of activity...but nothing to indicate any significant hiring will be happening. For example...I have had searches called out to me to replace employees that "left suddenly". One expectant mother gave birth a month earlier than expected - and another spot opened as a result of an employee moving cross country because her husband received a major job offer in LA. I am fortunate enough to be working on some CONSULTING positions for one of my biggest Beauty clients. These spots are specif...

Banks, Insurance Giants, Automotive Manufacturers...all received tremendous sums of money to help them survive during this challenging economy. How much money did you get to "bail you out"? Chances are...that you got the same thing I did...NOTHING!!! So...what is your plan to remain afloat in this sea of economic uncertainty? What are you doing to re-invent yourself? Who are you reaching out to? Have you identified those skills and traits that set you apart from all those other "HIGHLY SKILLED" people competing for the same job? Are you projecting a positive/upbeat attitude...or is the frustration, anxiety and bitterness you feel...completely visible to those you are meeting? ARE YOU TRULY FLEXIBLE? Are you living in REALITY or are you in denial when it comes to your job security, financial stability, and professional future? The above questions I have posed are ones I ask everyone I interview & have attempted to answered myself... They seem very basic in nature...

So...are you DEPRESSED or MOTIVATED? INSPIRED or CATATONIC? HOPEFUL or DISTRESSED? It is all about perspective...and your ability to adapt/adjust to CHANGE. You can choose to FIGHT or exist in a state of FEAR. Can you take some comfort in knowing that "WE ARE ALL IN THE SAME BOAT"? I am envious of those people who seem to have the ability to BELIEVE that some how...some way...things will just work out! I subscribe to the practice of focusing on those things I have control over & am trying to be PRESENT. I...like many people spend too much time focusing on what I could have done differently or worrying what will be happening in the future. You cannot change what you already did & losing yourself IN worry about the future takes you away from focusing on what you CAN control TODAY!!! by being PRESENT...you have the ability to enjoy your day on an hour to hour basis. We cannot control: THE ECONOMY, CORPORATE HIRING FREEZES, TERRORISM, CONSUMER SPENDING, THE WEATHER,...

Does the title of this entry sound familiar? Four times in the last month...this sceneraio has gone down... THE DREADED "INTERNAL REFERRAL" has become the latest in a long list of reasons why companies are NOT "PULLING THE TRIGGER" and opting to save any money they can... HERE ARE SOME "POPULAR"REASONS/EXCUSES FOR NOT HIRING YOU AFTER SEVERAL SUCCESSFUL INTERVIEWS: 1- "Oh...we didn't mention that Sally in Marketing had referred her friend...who we met 2 weeks ago and loved???" (always seem to conveniently forget that info) 2- "CFO has frozen the budget..." 3- "It looks like we are going to move someone from another department..." (we don't want to spend money & we are going to give much more responsibility to some other poor sould & not pay them for it) 4- "The sales reports just came in...and we did not meet our goals..." 5- "Ultimately...there was just not a chemistry/cultural match" (in ...

CHANGE ...it is something that is certain...most of the time is done reluctantly...but at this time...appears to be welcomed!!! The key to CHANGE is how you adapt! The common trait that all SUCCESSFUL people share is their ability to adapt & re-invent themselves. This is especially true as it relates to your career. You cannot CHANGE things you have no control over...( ie the economy)...however, you do have the ability to change things that can make your job search, resume & interviewing more successful. One thing to consider is your ability to identify skills/qualities/ characteristics that you possess that distinguish you from those you are competing against. Once you take inventory, you then need to SELL these to employers. You need to do this bearing in mind the NEEDS of the employer. So...what is UNIQUE to you...may have NO APPEAL to a prospective employer. Therefore...in addition to understanding what sets you apart - you need to package and sell this information i...

With all the overwhelming numbers and disappointing news - it is easy to get discouraged about a job search in this climate. Frankly, this is the worst market I have seen in 16 years! After 9/11...at least there were still jobs being offered...it was just that nobody wanted to work in NYC. It is very important to remember...YOU ONLY NEED ONE JOB! You just need ONE EMPLOYER to extend an offer to have a new job. So...now it becomes a NUMBERS game...even more so than in a "NORMAL" search. Slowly but surely...companies have thinned out their mid-level staff that are not directly tied to generating revenue. My client base is comprised of some of the most prestigious and historically SUCCESSFUL organizations. Methodically...these companies have slowed their hiring to the point of a FREEZE. Due to the fact that my clients' success is directly tied to CONSUMER SPENDING...a fearful consumer NOT spending money impacts them immediately. Like in 2000 and the DOT.COM BUST...comp...

CHARLEY’S CRADLE – NEWBORN CARE SPECIALISTS “Providing unmatched care for your baby and peace of mind for you” Sean Koppelman began his career in Healthcare Staffing in 1992 and successfully launched and grew Healthcare divisions for several respected Recruitment firms in NYC. His demand for quality and reputation for excellence resulted in his partnering with the most prestigious Hospitals, Clinics, Nursing Homes, Private Practices and Home Health Care firms in the country. Mr. Koppelman was responsible for placing hundreds of Clinical professionals who raised the quality of care provided by these facilities. In October of 2008; Sean was blessed with the arrival of his first child – his son Max. In his attempt to retain the services of a “Baby Nurse” or “Newborn Care Specialist”; it became apparent that there were very few firms that could immediately introduce a qualified professional to help his wife and care for his baby. Currently, new parents are finding these people primarily...

New positions continue to be few and far between...I have been busy COLD CALLING select employers in an effort to market the candidates I am representing. This job market is the worst I have seen in my 16 years of recruiting. Worse than post 9/11...and looks like it will be slow moving until the 3rd quarter of 2009...according to most experts and many of my clients. Despite all the doom & gloom...this is NOT the time to slow your search. Many employers are open to seeing job seekers on an EXPLORATORY basis and companies are hiring more professionals on a consulting basis. This "face time" with an HR Executive or Hiring Manager is more valuable than ever! Getting the chance to sell yourself and leave a lasting impression is a great way to insure you are on the minds of people in a position to hire...when the market turns around. It is getting this "face time" that is the challenge. Before anyone meets you & is enamored with your professional repetoire...your ...

THE TALENT MAGNET RESUME WRITING/UPDATING & DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM In the face of the most challenging job market our country has seen since The Great Depression; the need for job seekers to have a resume that effectively markets their unique talents and skills and speaks to the specific needs of employers is more important than ever! The Talent Magnet is now offering an expert RESUME WRITING/UPDATING service for job seekers at every level. Our “Career Advisors/Resume Experts” will review your educational background, internships, professional experience, industry expertise/knowledge, technical aptitude and interpersonal skills. The Talent Magnet has designed a “Resume Questionnaire” that will help you to clearly identify qualities, characteristics and accomplishments that will set your resume apart from the many others it is being compared to! In addition to producing a compelling resume, The Talent Magnet will keep your resume on file and will email to any of our Client contacts tha...

The Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation is an amazing charitable organization dedicated to providing resources to children who are victims of domestic violence. In addition to providing "safe havens" for children to come to and receive counseling and a safe physical space to spend time at...they are educating the general public about the horrors and prevalence of abuse in the home. This charity represents both an opportunity to support wonderful & important work as well as the chance of a lifetime for a lifelong New York Yankee fan to meet and spend time with their heroes. The foundation gala which is held annually (the past few years at Chelsea Piers) rewards supporters of the charity with an amazing evening hosted by Bob Costas, dozens of "A" list celebrities and honors past Yankee teams. This year the 98' World Series Championship team was reunited and honored. I had a chance to meet & speak with some of my heroes including: Don Mattingly, Joe Torre, Jo...

Despite the fact that the economy is the worst it's been since 9/11...despite the fact that the Yankees are not in the world series...despite the fact that it costs me $75 to fill my car with gas...despite the fact that very few of my Clients are hiring...I am the HAPPIEST I have ever been!!! The arrival of my Son Max has made all these challenges & stresses so much less important. In fact, if I did not ABSOLUTELY need to make money to pay my bills...I'd be at home with him everyday. The pure joy he has brought has put things into perspective. Suddenly, the job market (or lack there of) is less horrifying. It is amazing how Max has changed my priorities & perspective immediately!!! _________________________________________________________________ That being said, I have reluctantly returned to work - actively seeking out new career opportunities on behalf of the candidates I am representing! The job market/recruitment "slow down" began in March & has conti...

For those of you who did not get the title of this entry...it is a reference to WYCLEF'S SONG "GONE TILL NOVEMBER"... Now that I have provided you with today's music trivia - let's get to the real meaning... For the past few months, we have seen a consistent slow down/decrease in the number of new full time career opportunities. Over the summer, Recruiters and Job -seekers alike were all saying "wait until September"...hoping that something may change and companies may go back to an ACTIVE hiring mode. I am not a psychic...but I do not see things turning around all that fast. In fact, I have been encouraging New Grads & seasoned professionals alike to give serious consideration to TEMP & TEMP-TO-PERM opportunities. In a DOWN economy, companies tend to cut back on Full Time Permanent hires...especially through recruitment firms. However, they may still need the manpower to tend to day-to-day needs, projects, vacation coverage, maternity coverage,...

Just checking back in with everyone to give a status update & my read on this very challenging market. The summer has proven to be the slowest hiring period seen by most in my industry since 2002-2003. Major corporations are still on "hiring freezes" or if they are hiring - it is strictly for consulting spots. Employers are not quick to replace full time staff that have quit or were terminated. This "slow-down" began in March with ONLY hopes that in September...things will begin to turn around. Many fiscal budgets are on a September 1 calender as opposed to a calendar year...interns are heading back to school & hiring managers will return from vacations...perhaps more dedicated to building their staff. Now is NOT necessarily the time to look to CHANGE career paths. In this tight economy, employers are demanding a very specific set of skills/education/experience. It is much tougher to convince prospective employers to PAY/INVEST in "potential" as op...

Much like Amy Winehouse to REHAB, bell-bottom jeans, old-school Adidas , ATARI, like Michael Jordan wearing the 45, like over sized shirts with giant belts & leggings. like Jay-Z after retiring...I AM BACK!!! After a 2 week hiatus taken to be with my family after we were faced with a tragic loss...I have returned. My priority is and always will be family. I want to thank my clients and candidates for all their prayers and thoughts and for communicating directly in my absence. It sounds cliche, but it is true that a TRUE test of someones character is how they respond in the face of unthinkable challenge/difficulty. It is EASY to be GOOD...when times are good - but when an unexpected death strikes your family, coupled by a struggling economy, increasing expenses and countless other stressors ...it would have been very easy...to just close away from the responsibilities/obligations of "normal" life. Despite deep sadness & grieving - with the support & encouragemen...

IT IS OFFICIAL... THE TALENT MAGNET HAS MADE OUR MOVE AND IS IN A BETTER POSITION THAN EVER TO INTRODUCE EXCEPTIONAL JOB SEEKERS TO THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS EMPLOYERS IN THE COUNTRY!!! OUR NEW ADDRESS IS: 1270 BROADWAY - SUITE 1101 New York, New York 10001 OUR NEW PHONE NUMBER IS: 212-868-2180 WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE NEW SPACE AND OUR PLAN TO EXPAND OUR RECRUITMENT PRACTICE WHICH CURRENTLY FOCUSES ON: BEAUTY LUXURY COSMETICS ADVERTISING/MARKETING/PROMOTIONS/BRANDING ENTERTAINMENT INTERACTIVE/eCOMMERCE PUBLIC RELATIONS PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT BRAND MANAGEMENT HUMAN RESOURCES ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT to now include the addition of: HI-END RETAIL (corporate) FASHION APPAREL DESIGN MERCHANDISING PLANNING PRODUCTION __________________________________________________________________ " C ASH R ULES E VERYTHING A ROUND M E" - WUTANG CLAN

The Talent Magnet is pleased to announce that due to increased business, we have the need to occupy larger space. Effective June 1, 2008, The Talent Magnet is moving to a new office space. we were fortunate enough to acquire a suitable space upstairs in the SAME building we currently reside in. So...the address will remain the same: 1270 Broadway NY, NY 10001 We are currently in Suite 507 - as of June 1, 2008 The Talent Magnet will be in Suite 1101. So...the new address will be: 1270 Broadway - Suite 1101 NY, NY 10001 The other change will be our main phone line. The current number is 212-885-2180. Effective June 1, 2008 - THE NEW PHONE NUMBER IS 212-868-2180. So...only the exchange will be different... In addition to recruiting on behalf of the most prestigious employers fro the worlds of BEAUTY - COSMETICS - LUXURY - ADVERTISING - MARKETING - MEDIA PLANNING/STRATEGY - BRANDING & ENTERTAINMENT... The Talent Magnet will be representing exceptional candidates for opportunities in FA...

Just felt the need to chime in on the employment marketplace and give candidates my impression of what's been going on & my read on what to expect in the near future... Since my last entry, 3 of my largest clients have begun either an official or "unofficial" HIRING FREEZE. These companies are not adding to existing PERMANENT EMPLOYEE headcount unless someone quits or is fired. Last year at this time, these companies had me engaged in more than 20 simultaneous searches. Currently, I am working on 6 active searches on behalf of all 3. The trend seems to be heading in the direction of "CONTRACT" or "LONG-TERM TEMP" engagements. Employers still need the manpower - but are looking to project based engagements to PLUG/FILL the need for staff as opposed to permanent full time commitments. In this market...oddly enough...it is often advantageous to be "in between jobs" with the ability to "date" an employer without the promise of marr...