HOW EXECUTIVE AGENT WORKS

Executive Agent allows you to instantly and confidentially distribute your resume - in its existing format - directly to a customized group of executive search firms throughout North America. This service is powered by Kennedy Information, Inc., which has been publishing the Directory of Executive Recruiters since 1970. Because the data driving this service is maintained and updated by a full-time staff of database professionals, Executive Agent delivers the top-notch results that today's jobseekers require.

Here's how Executive Agent works, along with a few helpful tips:

1. Before getting started, please have an electronic version of your resume available (Microsoft Word format, RTF, etc). As you walk-thru the registration steps, you'll be asked to attach your resume so it can be forwarded directly to the recruiters that match your search criteria.

2. The first step asks you to input your industry and function. If you hold the Ctrl key down, you can select multiple criteria, and your resume will be distributed to a broader audience of executive recruiters.

3. The next step asks you to indicate if you're passively or actively pursuing a new career opportunity, as well as your salary range. Please note: your responses to these questions won't impact the number of firms that will receive your resume.

4. You're also asked to enter your geographic preferences. Please note: we don't recommend selecting a geographic preference. Many search firms are organized by practice, not geography. Thus, a recruiter in Chicago may place candidates in Seattle as well as Miami.

5. Next, you're asked about your willingness to deliver your resume to retained search firms as well as contingency search firms. The primary difference is that retained search firms are hired by a client company for an assignment, and are paid regardless of the results of the search. Contingency search firms receive payment only when their candidate is hired, and they are most often used for mid-level executives. With these operational differences in mind, we recommend distributing your resume to both types of search firms.

6. At this point, Executive Agent responds with a list of all the search firms that match your criteria. You're given the opportunity to refine/expand your criteria so it achieves your desired results.

7. Once you're satisfied with the list of recruiters targeted to receive your resume, you are asked to input your credit card information.

8. Next, you're asked to attach the most current version of your resume. Most people attach resumes in Microsoft Word (.doc) format. As an added layer of protection against potential computer viruses, you may choose to save and attach your resume in the Rich Text Format (.rtf) instead. We recommend the RTF format; you can save your resume in Microsoft Word as an RTF document.

9. At this point, you're given the opportunity to edit your return email address. Please note: the "From" field of your e-mail message that recruiters receive will appear as if it was sent directly from the email address you provide. When recruiters open your email message, they will also notice it was delivered via ExecutiveAgent, which is powered by Kennedy Information. Because Kennedy Information has worked closely with recruiters for 31 years, this statement often increases the chances that recruiters will carefully review your qualifications.

10. You're also given the opportunity to change the subject line of your email message. Again, we recommend that you edit the subject line so your electronic correspondence is more compelling to the search firms.

11. As a final, pre-launch step, you're given the opportunity to write a custom cover letter. We strongly recommend that you take a few minutes to write a well-composed letter, or perhaps cut-and-paste your cover letter from an existing document into this text box (which will become the 'body' of the email message sent).

12. When you hit "send", please note the following:

    a. Your resume will be sent from the email address you provide.

    b. Your cover letter will comprise the 'body' of the email message.

    c. Your resume will appear as an attachment to the email message.

    d. Your resume will be submitted to the search firms immediately after the transaction is completed.

13. Executive Agent will send a confirmation email message that states the names of the executive search firms that successfully received your resume. If available, web addresses of these firms will also be provided.

14. Executive Agent will also "cc:" you on this transaction so you can review exactly what the search firms received.

15. Congratulations! Executive search firms play an increasingly important role in the job-search process. You've just taken a critical step towards building relationships with these professionals that hold the coveted keys to the "hidden job market".