Your Name (optional):

Tom Barker  

Male/female:

Male  

City:

Toronto

State/Province:

Ontario

Country:

Canada  

Industry:

Business Services

Job:

Staffing, Recruiting, Executive Search 

Education?

Minimum: University degree. Advanced (Masters) can facilitate greater depth, breadth and quality of service.

Training/experience required (years, other jobs)?

3+ years in a particular discipline helps in understanding client needs.

Explain what you do?   

(1)  Establish relationships with various hiring companies (line managers as well as Human Resource professionals) and solicit orders for employee searches.  (2)  Establish and maintain a network of contacts through associations and advertising and establish a system to "track" these individuals so that they can be identified and contacted when a suitable opportunity arises.  (3)  Lots of telephone work, pre-screening candidates and strategizing with hiring companies.  (4)  Interviewing candidates. 

What kinds of things do you like about your career?

1.    There is opportunity for significant earnings in this field.
2.    Working in confidence with various managers in a range of industries, it is easy and fun to learn a lot about different businesses.
3.    It is fast paced and can be very exciting, especially when you can pull several large deals together simultaneously.

Why should kids choose your career path?

To enter this field at a significant level of remuneration, one should wait until they have several years of business experience. At that point, the reasons can include:  (1) money  (2)  a diverse working day  (3)  opportunity to work with people, versus numbers or reports (many mid level accountants get frustrated with the limitations of their jobs for example and, when given the opportunity to work as a recruiter, they find it a refreshing and rewarding change).

What would you recommend career wise and how should kids approach/develop their preparation for a working life?  

Education, education and education! Having an advanced degree and/or designation (CA, FCI,CGA,CHRPAO,  etc.), is extremely valuable in today's competitive market. Equally important to education, is what has recently been referred to as "emotional quotient" - E.Q. versus I.Q.:  The ability to establish and maintain relationships and to contribute effectively on teams, is critical to maximizing career potential.

Lessons learned: If you started all over again what would you do differently?  

More of the above.  

A favorite anecdote, phrase, or expression relating to business that inspires you?  

Winners never quit and quitters never win.

Other suggestions or relevant information you would communicate to kids regarding careers in general?  

Aim high when you are young and build a solid foundation. Taking short cuts at early stages of your career will only be paid for later on.