You’re Hıred!

As an executive recruiter, there was a time not too many years ago when a CEO of a direct marketing firm would call my office, and the conversation would go something like this:

CEO: “Hello, I’d like to talk with you about a search.”
Recruiter: “You bet. How can I help you?”
CEO: “I am looking for a vice president of direct marketing.”
Recruiter: “OK. What key skills are you looking for?”
CEO: “I want someone who really knows direct mail.”
Recruiter: “Are you interested in candidates who have some exposure to this new channel they call e-commerce?”
CEO: “Not really. Our customers have always ordered our products through the mail. I need someone with direct mail experience.”
Recruiter: “I know you have some retail stores, too. Would retail experience be important?”
CEO: “Not really. We keep those marketing operations totally separate. I need a direct mail person.”
Recruiter: “Will this person be working with your call center?”
CEO: “I doubt it. Our customers either order by phone or by mail. I need a direct mail person.”