How did you find your way to Kelleher Associates?

I had heard from others that if you were in a career transition situation, and interested in staying in the Delaware Valley, Kelleher was THE firm to go to!

I was told their consultants and staff really understand the market and know how to help you position yourself effectively.  Kelleher Associates has a reputation for providing strong content, customized for the individual.  When I was referred to Kelleher by a good friend within the industry, I knew I would be assigned to a consultant who had real-life experience and business expertise.

You briefly worked with a national career transition firm before signing on with Kelleher Associates – what were the key differences between the firms, from your perspective?

I can only describe the differences as “night and day.”  The national outplacement firm was like a factory, offering no holistic approach or customization, and advising only: “here are the steps; go do the steps.”  I wasn’t even offered an opportunity to practice my interviewing skills when I was interviewing for a job.  Simply put, they offered nothing to propel me forward, and they were not equipped to provide me with the resources I needed.  To illustrate the difference, when this firm reviewed my resume, it came back to me with only a few comments, yet the same resume came back from Kelleher completely proofread and redlined, with powerful suggestions and improvement.

When I resolved to leave the national firm, I knew that I needed to work with Kelleher.  My chief concern was that I would have to cover the cost myself.  Also, Kelleher Associates worked with top executives, while I was still at the director level.  But with Kelleher, I knew I would gain respect and my visibility in the market would be elevated, so I made the call.  Mitch Wienick agreed to meet with me right away.

How did Kelleher Associates help you with your personal value proposition?

Mitch gave me lots of help with this, engaging in a tremendous amount of back and forth.  He would frequently say “let’s meet”, then take that opportunity to help me to clarify what made me special in the marketplace and what I really wanted to do.  Mitch identified a unifying theme for much of my work which was acting as an internal marketing consultant.  Our rich dialogue continued, and during a late-night email exchange with Mitch, I was able to crystallize my “sweet spot”:  I can identify and create connections and collaborations between businesses, people, and processes, resulting in initiatives that add value and drive revenue.  I was finally able to say: “This is what I do and here are the examples.”

Throughout the process, Mitch was decent, kind—and tough.  He made me realize that I needed to talk to companies first about their internal marketing needs.  From inside a company, I could then help them figure out where their strategic alliances would be found.  Mitch even met with me on a Sunday morning to advise me and to help me evaluate a job offer.  With his assistance, I was able to secure a director level position.

What were the 2-3 most important elements of your search process and how did Kelleher Associates help you with them?

The core element was for me to identify my “sweet spot,” to be able to describe exactly what it was that I wanted to do.  With coaching from Mitch, I learned how to focus on the optimal way to interview and to find the most effective means to convey my personal value proposition.

Through Mitch’s connections, his personal and business contacts, I had access to great people and organizations I would not have otherwise known, let alone penetrated.

Even before I signed on with Kelleher, Mitch encouraged me to attend ExecuNet meetings where I could learn to practice my networking.  Mitch was very generous in sharing resources and very helpful in introducing me to his own network.  Shortly after starting with Kelleher, I joined the Greater Philadelphia Senior Executives Group (GPSEG).  And, as I start my new role, Anne Robson is encouraging me to volunteer to be on a Pennsylvania Bio committee. 

What advice would you give to someone leaving a company and starting to look for their next position?

I would tell them “Go and talk to Kelleher about their career transition services, to understand what the process should be and what you have to gain by working with them.” I have already sent people to Kelleher Associates.

What did you learn from this process that you will use again to help manage your career?

I learned what I do best.  I learned how to effectively communicate my strengths, how they are applicable to a company’s needs, and how they add value to that company.

I also learned about resources I would never have known about otherwise:  for example, the “First Ninety Day Plan,” from Michael Watkins’ book, The First Ninety Days:  Critical Success Strategies for New Leaders at All Levels.

One of Kelleher’s principal tenets is that a client must create a personal “board of directors.”  I learned that some people you expect to help you will break your heart, while others who are not on your “radar” will help you tremendously.  I learned about the strengths of my personal directors and the importance of using them wisely as advisors for business guidance and personal guidance.

Finally, it reinforced for me that to be personally effective, it was vital to work with professionals who are both caring and expert.