Psst...we are hiring!! Virtual Interns, Part time, Work from Home,...

Yes, there are a lot of opportunities brewing in the industry, and we are figuring out ways to create a larger impact- to the ecosystem, of corporates (hiring managers), candidates (jobseekers) and consultants ( influencers of recruitment).

Here are some thoughts I shared with a Director of a Business School, about the possible range of internships that can be conjured up :

a)Direct Marketing. Options has a database of 1.8 lakh resumes who have been in touch for a few years now. Am sure they change a job once in 3-4yrs but I have always caught them..when they have just changed their job!

We need to constantly relate to them...reconnect and engage them on a regular basis..

So work cd involve data mining, reaching out, sending out mailers,and stay connected..so that we can ping them as and when reqd

b) Content writing. This is about build communities and engage them..hopefully to influence them in some manner. social media hiring, curation of data..

c) Branding.

d) Collaboration with ecosystem..CII, NASSCOM, Tie Hyd, Startup community, Co-working labs, other recruiters all over India..

e) building a referral network

Someone who can work without too much supervision..creative, and can take ownership

They will use extensively social media..and other ways to build credibility

And yet get themselves some HOT skills that could help them get better insights..even as they pick up theories..at class.

For eg 

a) Making employers in AP & Telangana area (amongst others) -aware of some innovative hiring solutions

b) Creating a collaborative network of influencers -say recruitment agencies/trainers/freelancers 

So lets not restrict it to HR students :)! Also..today, the power of choice is theirs! 

You may let them know that Recruitment is as much as a business as any other..and so there is scope for folks wanting to change the way we work. So, anyone interested in entrepreneurship also could contribute and learn..(and not necessarily in the same order!)..as well as Sales/Marketing. Or Operations and Finance for that matter.

Again let us not limit the imagination..No one is indeed indifferent to a recruiter..one is is either a potential hiring manager or a potential jobseeker..if not either. It cd be B2B ( if its meant for corporates), cd be a portal or a referral network. Implementation of an ERP like product for application tracking?  International marketing? Global migration of talent? Cross border barter? I feel I can potentially connect them to over 30 countries (in recruitment)..and 100+ for any general business opportunities.

May I suggest you share the idea to the students. Let them research www.optionsindia.com, or Achyut Menon orwww.askmenon.com and come up with a proposal in 500 words.

-how they can add value to my firm ( kind of projects, duration, ..)

-and what do they want in return (stipend,  etc)

​I am open to any compelling r​eason :)!

Well, I have since tried to refine the thoughts for easier understanding..and here are two positions I have posted

1. Content writing

2.  Digital Marketing

It is what you do that matters. And ofcourse, the impact of the work you do.

So, if you know a student who would benefit, please spread the word. If you know someone else, who is planning to pivot their career, let her/him know. Yes, someone wanting to get back into industry after a break, or even someone who wants to just spend 4-5 hours a day...share it with them!!


By the way, did you know some of those who spent their early part of careers in Options have since gone on to work in Google, Flipkart, Novartis, Dupont, Motorola, Monster, Kellys, Manpower, Deloitte, Facebook, Lucent, Bayer, Kuwait Petroleum,? 

In countries like UAE, Belize, Singapore, Malayasia, USA?

And yes, there are a few who have become entrepreneurs. And not just doing another job. But creating more jobs!!

Spread the word..Take a chance. And get one step closer to changing the world!

Planning a Career -Is there a right time to Pivot?

Must confess the blog post by Liz Carey-essentially meant for the recruitment community, got me to reflect on my recruiting career, and the journey since!

But since a large majority of my network is either a potential hiring manager or a potential employee, I thought I would have done if I were in their shoes!!

While there are innumerable opinions and advice online, I wish to highlight two video presentations, closest to my heart, and hopefully that would perhaps stand the test of time.

1)A 9 minute video recorded in 2012- with Tiger Tyagarajan -how to build a successful career. Interestingly he also emphasized the need to be driven by curiosity & hunger to learn, it in a recent blog in Apr 2015 

2) A 23 minute video recorded recently in May 2015 -Courtesy Stanford Graduate School of Business -5 strategies of surviving a career pivot.

I personally feel in an increasingly rising "gig economy", one is likely to change multiple careers, not merely a series of jobs, especially since the concept of career ladder is no longer as relevant!

Can we indeed plan for 5 years hence? Especially with the everchanging dynamics of the way business is being done now? The mortality of companies is itself questionable with even Fortune companies becoming extinct. Is it not appropriate to take charge of one's own career?

Quoting Tiger from the above article, the key is to have the self confidence to accept the fact what we knew is no longer as important. It is okay to be ignorant for a short while till one learns a new thing!

Would love your thoughts..and observations

Featured on Job Search Radio – Returning to India

As a proud member of NPA, The Worldwide Recruiting Network, we constantly are collaborating with over  fellow independent recruiters (over 40 independent firms across the 6 continents)  to cater to the  stringent talent needs of our clients- locally, regionally, and internationally!

Jeff Altman has been in the hiring solutions business for over 40 years, and has been hosting a regular radio show offering advice for those searching for jobs.

Last month, I was fortunate to be featured on his show-you can hear my experience here. It is about 30 minutes long, and you could have an idea of work we have been doing, and some of the first hand experiences.

Feel free to listen to it-at leisure, and let me know your thoughts. I shall be glad to address any queries/concerns that you may have!

 Should you wish to have a personalized discussion with me -please feel free to schedule a mutually convenient time , or on demand for a one-one call!

Options in India -People we are presently on the hunt for!!

Here are some of the positions we are presently working on!

IT industry

- A Director Software Development to build a World class development centre,in Hyderabad.

Our client is a leading player in the Financial Services Industry and a premium provider of products that support the front, middle and back office.

Other positions, that we are are looking for the right talent are Product Manager, Agile Coach, Business Analyst, HR Specialist, IT Support Specialist, Facilities Engineer apart from multiple positions for Software Developers and Quality Assurance professionals.

- A Systems Software manager for a Highly visible MNC. She/he would be rresponsible for managing and expanding the System Software development team at Hyderabad and Bangalore

- A HR Business Partner for a Hyderabad based Shared Service Centre , rresponsible for defining & executing local policy & practices  in liaison with Global Team.   Accountable for ensuring SAP HR is fully validated

Manufacturing

A leading MNC operating all over the world with over USD 5 billion across 70+ countries, in agriculture & aquaculture products/services domain, is setting up a new JV in Bhimavaram, Andhra Pradesh.

We are hunting for a General Manager Operations and a Financial Controller for now.

Multiple sales positions for a MNC Animal Feed leader.

-A specialist in Ruminant Species who could handle All India sales. She/He could be located anywhere in India, and spearhead the penetration into Indian market

-Specialists in Poultry industry-who will be responsible for catering to Regional Markets.

- R&D Engineers for a Automobile MNC to be based in Chennai. We have exciting opportunities for those with international experience and wishing to return to India. 

- Engineers with 2-6years experience in R&D and IT for a major Auto MNC in Chennai for their technology centre supporting worldwide operations.

Sales & Marketing

-Head of sales for a MNC launching its range of Agri implements in India. Based in Chennai.

-Head of Rural Sales for a MNC to strategise their penetration beyond Urban cities. Some one with prior sales and marketing experience in agri-business, and first hand knowledge of having worked in at least 2 of three major Zones in India ( South/West/North).

-DGM Internal Communication for a highly visible brand-to be based in Mumbai

-Manager -Internal Communication based in Chennai-with a focus on employee engagement.

- Manager Media Planning -based in Chennai. Someone who has had 4-5 years exp in the Agency side before moving across to a large corporate (FMCG/telecoms) -with a penchant for cost control!

Opportunities also exist for senior level professionals (CXO). Eg CEO for a fast growing MNC based in Mangalore, CFO for a leading business house in Manipal and a Specialist in Corporate Social Responsibility for another fast growing MNC.

Apart from opportunities with Start ups in Bangalore/Hyderabad- some already backed by VCs, as they seek to scale.

What are you waiting for? Should you know anyone -who is looking to turbocharge her/his career, please refer them to send me a brief note about your career plans/aspirations. I shall ping you/them as soon as possible!

Referrals welcome. #spreadtheword if you know of someone who is keen to explore options!

Do feel free to reach out to me for more clarifications!

Planning to move abroad?

Let me know if I can help.

As a member of an international recruiting network, I can connect you to Talent Advisors, across industries, located throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and the Americas. 

Here is an interesting blog post by @Lindsay Brady on the  insights that Linkedin has-which reveals some trends related to Professional Migration across Europe and Middle East.

-the Rise of the Entrepreneur

-the developing business of Business Development

-the Rise of the Software Industry in Europe

By the way, here is a trend that might interest you. Just hop across to the insights shared by @Sohan Murthy of Linkedin last year about the top 20 countries where professionals are moving for work, based on Linkedin Data

Please feel free to reach out to me personally to know if you wish to know about the specific opportunities you might have as a professional in the global market!

Traditions, stereotypes..? Women driving business histroically associated with Male Bastion.

“Tradition becomes our security,and when the mind is secure it is in decay.”Jiddu Krishnamurti

Earlier this year in May, the Economic Times Magazine section featured an article on how more and more women taking up jobs in sectors considered male strongholds in India.. And it had a quote attributed to me-amongst some outstanding examples of few women who have been breaking the glass ceiling & some of the challenges that they have faced.

As a person who has now been in the industry for over 30yrs ,& fortunate to have had a ringside view of the changing economies, I personally feel that most of the issues raised-are perhaps going to be moot points/redundant- as we are often prone to forgetting the context and are quick to generalize the sterotypes!

In the next 5-6yrs, I will be really surprised if women are not increasingly taking leadership roles. Merit really cannot be ignored -in these days of analytics & increased metrics :)!

Here are my thoughts-on a few things trending in parallel:

-Change in the power of choice- from the employer to the employee: The industrial economy -had given way to the intellectual economy (the 90s saw the emergence of the IT/ITES & the services economy), and is perhaps being overtaken by the interconnected economy (thanks to internet, globalisation etc). Already we see lesser mortality of companies /employers -and employees having to take charge of their own careers and the onus there of.

The nature of jobs itself has changed, and many new roles have emerged in the past decade. Sunrise industries have been employing folks who have transplantable skills, so, the tenure is no longer as importance as competency, or the ability to manage change. No longer is quantity of years of experience as relevant or critical...as the quality of the experience. Hence I feel seniority is passé'. And as a result if promotions were earlier given to those who lasted longer in the system, it is the meritorious that make it thru the glass ceiling

The generation that has entered the work force in India post liberalization-has seen large scale employment in the services-and the financial gain (& independence) has made the society appreciate the double income family, and accept it. And there are enough role models of well educated and financially sufficient women pursuing professional careers and high level positions, putting personal /work life balance on lesser priority.

Especially so-in the war for talent, companies are increasingly conscious of the gender diversity (out of necessity and not merely giving lip service), and are able to find enough talent pipeline of potential leaders by encouraging flexible work schedules, improved parental leave policies, and opportunities for women to rejoin the workplace after short interruptions.

Anyway with increasing use of technologies...the delta growth/ dependence of the male bastions -that perhaps emphasis on brute power (manufacturing, engineering hardware, telecom) is likely to be tapering off. 

With more women at all levels -and even if organizations continue to have pyramidical structures, they have a great pipeline of gender diversity for posterity! And in the increasingly trend of career ladders giving way to lattices (with matrix organization and remote location employees), there would be no glass ceilings in future!!

And yes, isn't it time we stopped going ga-ga over one day dedicated to Mother's day? Ironical though the above article did coincide so!

Would love your thoughts.

Finding "people for jobs" vs "jobs for people"

Anytime at all,
Anytime at all,
Anytime at all,
All you've gotta do is call
And I'll be there.

Those of us born in the 60s..will easily resonate to the Beatles number!!

However in today's world, does the modern recruiter have the luxury of 'being there'? How I wish it was true :(!

Most jobseekers do not see understand that the business of 'finding people for jobs' could be different from 'finding jobs for people'!

And especially so, in today's VUCA world-where the expectations are very specific! The margin of error is very low. And the clients are expecting us to showcase the best –who are available to join at really short notice.

I will leverage on the candid post made by the NPA Worldwide President Dave Nerz, on 3 reasons jobseekers should not expect a return call from recruiters,  using the analogy of a BMW expert and a Mercedes enthusiast!!

Dave sets expectations for candidates to be realistic, as ’most focused contingent recruiters cannot and will not be accommodating to every candidate.’

-Recruiters have limited time. Are you asking the recruiter to spend time outside of a core area of focus? Not returning your call is a calculated business decision.

-You want to CHANGE careers. Are you telling a recruiter that you want to change careers? If so, consider this: recruiters help people move into roles they are very qualified to do and where there is a proven track record of results. They are not typically career coaches helping you move from one profession to another. If they see a call as a coaching session, they will not return it.

-Your resume is on too many job boards. If your “car” is already being sold online and listed in every enthusiast’s magazine, then the recruiter needs to move on to candidates that are not as well known. Recruiters do not get paid a fee when employers can grab your resume off many different job boards. If you have not established a win-win relationship with a recruiter, they will not take the time to even present you to a client. They need to know you are talented, looking for a job in an area where you excel and not posted on every job board out there. If your resume is all over the web, you may not get a return call.

Unquote.

My firm Options Executive Search specializes in hiring middle & senior management professionals for MNCs setting up Indian operations, and focus on  identifying the right professionals with international experience, and Indian roots..the ‘returning/returned Indians”. And so all our work is mandated by the specific growth plans of our clients!

We work closely with clients in IT product space, Manufacturing /Automotive, and Infrastructure industry, and are privy to the mandates aggregated by our extended network of NPA Worldwide of over 500 associates-globally-across 29 countries.

So, in the case I do not return your call, as soon as you expect, please understand I am perhaps juggling some urgent critical assignments and closing in-and just can't afford to take my eyes off the task I am focussed on !! Please feel free to mail me ( [email protected]). You can be sure I will be haunting you, as soon as I find your profile interesting to my clients!

Btw.To cater to the business of finding ‘jobs for people’, I have a dedicated service vertical, AskMenon.com – a (paid) career coaching service. There is only so much one can do-in a 30 minute session. And so, I also do a day long workshop every month –Turbocharge YOUR Career series- to help one become more in control of their career- by getting FOUND by prospective employers. Come over and schedule a consulting call at a mutually convenient time!!

Let me know how I can help!!