BC Municipal Recruiting Report

July/August 2011                                                                                                               Vol 5 Issue 8

Into Every Life A Little...

 

ThunderCloud 

... Rain Must Fall!
The call came late one afternoon last week from a Mayor whose CAO had just quit. "For personal reasons" said the Mayor.

 

The Mayor reminded me that he gets our newsletter every month. He went on to explain that he and his Council were shocked and disappointed by the sudden loss of their CAO...Who could blame them? It was gratifying  that they were asking for our help for a second time in six months. We had worked with this town last year to find a water waste/water Manager. There is nothing quite like success to bring our clients back again. 

   

This time the Mayor wanted to know if we could help them find a new CAO - fast. 

  

After a fruitful discussion, and some deeper questions - we know what to ask as a result of our experience as Canada's Municipal Recruiting Specialists - we provided the Mayor with a written outline that clearly explains who we are, what we do, how we do it, how long it will take. We can provide that same information to you too - just let us know. We also offered several recent references from a long list of satisfied municipal clients. Oh, yes ...and when we spoke about what it might cost we didn't miss the opportunity to remind the Mayor that "the cost of hiring the wrong person is huge".

 

Like the Mayor who called last week, once you have decided to get some help with your recruiting you will have three basic choices: contract a personnel agency, hire a generalist or retain a specialist.

  

Whether you call it executive search or head hunting there is no doubt the idea of recruiting causes people to conjure up some pretty wild pictures. I am sure there are those who ask "what is this specialized recruiting that Ravenhill Group does and how is the service so different from that of a generalist or a personnel agency?"

 

Perhaps the best way to begin is by explaining what you can expect from a personnel agency and a generalist. In a nut shell, personnel agencies (or employment agencies as they are sometimes called), put ads in news papers or in trade journals at your expense (and to their great benefit) then sort through the resumes that come in...they also work with data bases of candidates who have sent in unsolicited resumes or who have previously applied for other positions but were not successful. Their employees work at computers most of the day matching up names like the match makers at a dating service. When they find someone that they think fits your criteria they send them to you. If you hire their candidate you pay a fee.

 

A generalist works for many different industries filling whatever jobs they can pick up from anyone who will give them work to do. They are as likely to recruit a sales manager as an engineer. Most do whatever they have to do to get the job done. Many times they will recruit for you this month but may just as easily recruit from you next month.  

 

At Ravenhill Group we are a little different.

 

Recruiting at the heart of what Ravenhill does. One major difference between us and our competitors is that we don't ask our clients to spend money on expensive advertising. We are firm believers that the best candidates need to be found. Additionally, we are Ethical Head Hunters™ meaning that we actively search only for the 'right person' always keeping in mind that we represent you. It also means that we seek to deal fairly, respectfully and honestly with all candidates. We believe that every candidate is worthy of the highest respect so we do our best to keep them informed throughout the process.

 

   

 

Our clients appreciate our Hands Off Guarantee.

 

 

 

Another concept that puts us light years ahead of the personnel agency is the way we have learned to work effectively with candidates. There is a stat that we like to quote: "At any one time 10% of the workforce would consider a job change if one was presented, but they are not actively looking". 
 

 

In these incredibly fast paced and competitive times, the cost of hiring the wrong person is huge... it could mean unwanted friction among staff, hours lost sorting out stupid mistakes, financial losses and loss of prestige when they ask you "what were you thinking?" All these problems could easily be avoided if you enlist the services of Ravenhill Group Inc. in the first place.

 

 

 

 

Farrell

ALBERTA

Farrell O'Malley
 1-877-830-0500 ext 701
 
Farrell's background as a CAO  and his contacts throughout the province will give you a strategic advantage when recruting the 'right' municipal employees.

 

Farrell specializes in "Ethical Head-Hunting™ " municipal executives. He has a Degree from the University of Alberta in Recreation Administration along with over 17 years in Municipal administration with more than 6 years as CAO plus 11 years as a senior manager in the recreation field. He has managed annual budgets to $9.6 Million and a staff of over 170 full and part-time employees.

 

Farrell has served as a Board Member for the Minister of Municipal Affairs Municipal Excellence Awards Committee, Director with the LGAA, and as Secretary Treasurer for Grande Alberta Economic Region. 

We Are Looking For

detective 

  • Dir of Roadway Operations
  • Dir of PW & Engineering Ontario
  • CET Saskatchewan
  • Ag Fieldman Alberta 
  • Manager of PW Vancouver Island BC

     

     
         CONFIDENTIALLY: We are aware of several outstanding CAOs who are interested in a new opportunity... Interested? bruce@ravenhillgroup.com 

  • Contact Bruce Malcolm  

     

    1-877-830-0500 

    •   
     

    Don't Panic...Hire a retired CAO to fill in!

     

    Ravenhill Group Inc has identified a number of excellent "recently retired" municipal administrators who can fill in while we do your search. Panic

     

    You can be confident knowing that your municipality is in good hands while Ravenhill looks for the "best person" for the job. Why not engage one of these talented men and women for your short-term assignment? Contact Bruce Malcolm today. 1-877-830-0500

    Experience You Can Trust 

    Bruce5

    D, Bruce Malcolm

    Managing Partner

     

     

    headlines

     

    Great Headlines...

    proof reading is a dying art!

     

    Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter 

    --  It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!! Too funny...

       

    Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
         --  No kidding, really? Ya think?

     

    Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

    -- Now that's taking things a bit far! 
     

    Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

    -- What a guy! 
     

    Miners Refuse to Work after Death

    -- No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's! 
     

    Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

    -- See if that works any better than a fair trial!
     

    War Dims Hope for Peace

    -- I can see where it might have that effect! 
     

    If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last A while

    -- Ya think?!  

     

     Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

    -- Who would have thought! 
     

    Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide

    -- They may be on to something!
     

    Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

    -- You mean there's something stronger than duct tape? 
     

    Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge

    -- He probably IS the battery charge! 
     

    New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

    -- Weren't they fat enough?!
     

    Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft

    -- That's what he gets for eating those beans! 
     

    Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
    -- Do they taste like chicken? 

     

    Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

    -- Chainsaw Massacre all over again!


    Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors  

    -- Boy, are they tall! 


     And the winner is .....


    Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead  -- Did I read that right?

       

    Past Newsletters You Are Sure To Enjoy 

     

    June 2011
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      July 2010 
      Listening    
     
     August 2010 

    Kid Super hero


    10 Simple Rules... That Will Make You A Super Hero
     RAVENHILL GROUP INC.

     

    Canada's Municipal Recruiting Specialists  
    Toll Free: 1-877-830-0500
     "Stop Searching Start Finding"