I FINDU: The Art of Being Found in Executive Search

It is hard to believe . . . . . Abeln, Magy, Underberg & Associates started in 1996. 

Shortly after we opened for business, I decided to buy vanity plates for my car.  Why did I do it?  The idea made me laugh.  The plate – I FINDU (I Find You).  To me, it was six letters (and three ‘words’) that defined what we did (and do) – Retained Executive Search. 

These plates now hang in my garage.  I kept them on my car for a couple of years.  What I found out – people actually read license plates when they are different than the typical random 3 letters and 3 numbers.  Friends and acquaintances would say that they saw my car at varying places (stores, restaurants, on the highway, etc.).  While I liked having the plates (they really did make me laugh), I did not like the feeling of being tracked. 

Networking 

I commonly speak about (and write about) the importance of networking.  In the Twin Cities marketplace, 70% – 80% of professional positions are found through people we know.  That said, I receive requests daily to meet to network.  While I do occasionally accept these meeting requests, time does not allow me to accept them all.  Maybe more to the point, if I do not know you well, a networking request to introduce you (someone I do not know very well) to people I do know well – with my name attached which becomes an implied endorsement – seems insincere. 

How Do You Get ‘Networked’?  (Or – Where Will I Find You?) 

I have a LinkedIn account.  Isn’t that enough?  LinkedIn is a great communication tool.  We can reach out and send an invitation or a message.  Finding a person on LinkedIn without knowing a specific name is a different story.  Key words and company names are helpful.  There are local experts, on-line tutorials and seminars on how to make your profile stand out.  (There are also experts, on-line tutorials and seminars to help us find key people.)  But LinkedIn is not the only answer – or even the right answer to the above question(s). 

With each new search we take on, we build a unique search strategy.  Where will we look to find people?  The strategy commonly includes looking at professional associations, industry associations and credentialing organizations (if we are looking for industry or profession-specific certifications).  We will look at on-line groups as well.  The question – are you a member of these groups?

Be More Than A Member 

Every summer, I receive reminders that my annual membership (to multiple organizations) is coming to a close and it is time to renew.  Being a member gets my name in the directory.  It’s nice but that is nothing more than an alphabetical listing.  Rarely is there a bio attached in a directory.  It is not a live link.  It is commonly your name, company name and title. 

The real value comes from showing up.  Go to a meeting.  Even if the topic does not look 100% ideal for you, showing up allows you to meet people in your profession and industry.  You may meet the speaker.  And you will likely learn something.  And sometimes, you will be able to answer the question you will likely get from someone like me . . . . . . what have you done recently to stay up-to-date in your profession. 

What Have You Done Recently To Stay Up-To-Date In Your Profession?

This is a question I ask, at some point, every candidate I interview (or network with).  The answer should be more than I get e-mail updates.  My advice is to go to a meeting.  Participate in a webinar.  Take a (short) class.  Pursue a certification if that is valuable in your field. 

We Want To Find You (or FINDU)

Help us do so.