Personalized process smoothes career transition.

An experienced finance and accounting management executive like Brian Earnshaw tackles challenges with a clear focus on process. So when his career position evaporated, he naturally needed support that would measure up to his own detailed standards. He found it at Kelleher Associates, where a five month executive search resulted in a new position as Corporate Controller at Philadelphia-based Leaf Financial Corporation.

What was your initial game plan when you lost your almost 10-year position?

As an action-oriented person, I wanted to immediately start identifying positions and interviewing.  I think that was a result of not having done a job search since college. My previous position and all other positions resulted from promotions or offers coming to me unsolicited. My Kelleher coach, Elva Bankins, took the time to explain the importance of taking a stepped approach to getting not just a job, but an opportunity that would fit me.

How did that stepped approach help you?

From day one with Kelleher, Elva and the entire team were clear about how they were going to be able to support me, and took the time up front to get to know me. From there, they were able to help me build my resume, which was something I hadn’t done in years, and helped me develop strong interview skills. Through that process, I learned what I really wanted in my next job. My search became less about “I need to get a job” to “I want the job that is right for me.”

What surprised you most about the executive search process?

I learned that expert assistance is critical for an executive search. I knew that prospecting and networking were going to be important, but it did not come naturally to me at first. Elva has great experience in coaching executives. She got me comfortable with networking quickly, and then she and the Kelleher team provided great connections and opportunities. They put me in touch with the right people, at the right time.

How did Kelleher help you when you received the offer from Leaf Financial?

Of course I was elated when I received the offer, but Mitch Wienick and Sandy Ford at Kelleher helped me look at it objectively. They showed me that strategizing was not just important in making contacts and getting my resume out there, it was also important in reviewing the job offer. They helped me see both the pros and cons of the position, so I was able to compare those to not only the financial terms and position benefits, but with the intangibles. I could clearly see that with Leaf, I would have the opportunity to work in an entirely new industry, I’d be able to tackle new challenges that are interesting to me, and I saw that the corporate culture was one that would be a great fit. Uncovering those aspects made my decision-making process more effective.

In retrospect, what did you learn over the last five months during your employment search?

It really helped that I had Kelleher in my corner, helping me to stay confident about my skills and abilities. Keeping the search from being all consuming was really important, so I took breaks, like enjoying activities with my kids. That helped me maintain a positive attitude during the search process. I also learned that in stressful times, it’s important to have people in your life that can be a calming force and give you good direction. Kelleher certainly helped fill that role for me.