Blog | Executive Search | Austin, Texas | Salvatore Balistreri

“Exceptional” in the Eyes of the Client

"I am very very grateful. You are an exceptional company." Meaningful words my firm received this past Sunday from a CEO regarding the closing of a Chief level search project. Let's "reverse engineer" and understand how these words were earned: Have placed 5 very talented executives in the past 1.5 years with this client Honored a [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:00-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms, Client Communication, Executive Search Process|

“Business Development 101”

My firm sells and executes retained executive search projects and I was recently asked to offer some Business Development insights and training for my staff. My first profession during the first 3 years after college was teaching so this is fun for me and I enjoy influencing my staff. As I began thinking about what I [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms, Client Communication, Executive Search Process|

10 Recruiting Insights

I recently spoke at a PRESNET meeting in Lincoln, Nebraska (PRESNET, formed in the late 1980's, is made up of local CEO's who have created a forum related to exchange of topical business information). My presentation revolved around 10 Recruiting Insights that will help CEO's increase their chances to close the deal with top talent [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Candidate Communication, Executive Search Process|

Clients I Admire-Part 12

This is a continuing series about clients I admire and who have made a big difference in my business and life in general. The first 11 parts of this series have highlighted the following clients and friends: Kasha Bartholomew, Paul Trylko, Casey Leaman, Karen Ganzlin, Mike Klockenga, Tony Budet, Debbie Mitchell, Vickey Thayer Kleinsmith, Richard [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms, Clients I Admire|

Coaching Candidates To Win

Very good news for you. An executive candidate, sourced from your executive search firm, has been selected to interview with your client company in person. What is the best method to get that candidate ready for your client so they are prepared to win the job? 1) Explain to the candidate how you have "pitched" [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Candidate Communication, Executive Search Process|

Love Thy Recruiter

I agree. This is pretty much a self-serving title for a blog. However, I think there is a large grain of truth offered. Just keep reading. Please. This week and out of the blue, I received an email from a recently placed candidate who started his General Manager position for an Austin area firm. He [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Candidate Communication|

Getting Ready for the Final Interview

This week has been wonderful. I say that because this is the week that all of my firm's hard work is starting to payoff with a Chief Level position we have been working on. For the past 8 weeks we are now to the point of having (3) Chief level finalists for a great executive [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Candidate Communication, Executive Search Process|

Candidates Are Insecure

Took a broad and bold written stroke today with a very general statement that candidates are insecure. Keep in mind, they are insecure for great reasons: 1) Candidates do not know who they are competing against. 2) Candidates don't know if they are a truly great fit for the company culture (but are hopeful that [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Candidate Communication, Executive Search Process|

Weekend Visit In Austin

Austin is a great town to live in and recruit talented candidates to. I am asked numerous times during the year about what visitors should do in Austin over a long weekend. Here are my top 10 list of things to do in Austin over a weekend. In no particular order….. 1) Take pictures at the [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms|

“I Don’t Care”….That’s What I Said

The words flew right out of my mouth. Wasn't sure if I should have said what I said. In the end, however, it provided for a wonderful piece of candid coaching for a candidate. I was on the phone yesterday with a very talented Chief level executive who was not moved on to the next [...]

2017-07-15T02:06:01-05:00By sbalistreri|Austin Executive Search Firms, Candidate Communication|

Previous 456 Next

“As a search committee member, we selected Sal's firm to help us with a key CEO search. They made the process painless both for the candidates and our search committee. We made the right choice and Sal's team delivered.”

Michael Bennett, Head of the APRO Search Committee, APRO Search Committee

“Sal specializes in executive search and has delivered some outstanding results for Silvercar. He has assembled a great team and they conduct searches the way it should be done – from scratch! He understands the importance of not only finding the right skill set, but also finding the right cultural match. He does his homework before he starts and does it well. Sal has jumped through hoops for me and delivered great results. He provides personalized service from start to finish and won’t stop until you are satisfied. I highly recommend that you consider Sal and his team for your next search.”

Kay Stroman, Former Chief Administrative Officer, Silvercar

“Sal was definitely a huge asset in our recruiting efforts. He spent a lot of time getting to know our culture and understanding the values that were essential to the makeup of of our team. Sal is a great partner and I certainly recommend him and his firm to anyone looking to recruit a great team. You will not be disappointed!”

Craig Taylor, Former CEO, Cirrus Systems

“Sal clearly understands the culture of the client and clearly understands the REAL person behind the candidate. This allows him to best match clients and candidates because he sees beyond their words and understands their real talents and value systems. Sal also has the ability to present a candidate because he is committed to her/him and their talents and values they could bring to the job. He is even MORE committed to the client’s analysis of the candidate so that he learns from any rejection of a candidate in order to fine-tune the search for the next better candidate.”

Vickey Thayer Kleinsmith, Former Vice President Human Resources, Lozier Corporation

“I appreciate the fact that Sal takes not only the job requirements into account, but he also considers culture and “fit”. These are rare and valuable traits for a recruiter and that is one of the many reasons that we love working with Sal.”

Debbie Mitchell, President/CEO, Velocity Credit Union

“Sal is able to communicate our company culture and organic growth strategy and along with his high level of responsiveness, is a great partner to work with.”

Karen Ganzlin, Former Chief Human Resources Officer, TD Ameritrade

"Sal and his team are awesome partners in our success. His team has taken the time to become part of our team so that they understand the "fit" component of our hiring process that includes the mission, vision and values and most importantly, our culture."

Scotte Hudsmith, Chairman & CEO , Specialized Dental Partners

“Consider Sal if you need a recruiter for key management positions and C-Level searches. Sal is very focused on finding the right person for the right position. He produces solid candidates across a variety of industries and will personally work with his clients to help them achieve success in hiring. He is a seasoned expert, well networked and very responsive.”

Kurt Halvorson, President, Imprimis, LLC

“Sal and his team offered a great process with a very good long term result for Lozier. It was a process made easy for our team to meet all the candidates in a short period of time and come to a conclusion.”

Sheri Andrews, Co-Chair, Lozier Corporation

“Sal is one of those rare business executives who truly believes in the power of ‘doing well by doing good.’ He is generous to a fault with his time and his network. He spends his professional capital to help others in his community with no eye towards personal gain.”

Cat Nawawi, President, The Highland Group