Smith James Group, Inc.-Candidate Testimonials



Candidates Who Got the Assignment As you know, I am a believer in the process you used during my screening as a potential applicant for the role of VP Marketing at a major durable goods manufacturer and am happy to give my feedback for you to use. Two key areas come to mind as differentiators regarding your process vs. most others. • The scheduled "taped" interview. While most recruiters try and capture the "spirit" of the answers...a taped conversation allows the interviewer to listen for the answers and allow good follow-up questions. From the potential clients perspective they have the ability to listen to an unrehearsed and unedited conversation which to me is invaluable. A perspective employer can pick up on voice inflections and begin to shape an opinion as to fit, not only from position requirements perspective but also from a style point of view. • Since the interview is captured, Michael Smith was able to prepare me and the employer with an enhanced interview experience. The prior president of the company said: "Bob, my wife and I listened to your taped interviewer for 4 hours in the car and at the end I knew you were the person for the role before we even met." - Corporate Level Vice President of Marketing "I had the opportunity to work with Smith James Group when my company was looking to hire a new Chief Financial Officer. I went through an extensive process with Smith James, including a few interviews as well as preparing a list of answers to some standard questions that they had. The interview process was very interactive, and they kept me informed every step of the way. They gave me a very good impression of the company I was interviewing with, and I had a good idea of the people, the personality and the style of the company before setting my foot in the door. I worked very closely with Michael Smith and Elizabeth Denney, and they both prepared me well for the interview process, understanding the needs of the organization and the culture of the company. I ran into no surprises in the whole process, which I believe is a strong indication that Smith James did a very good job understanding the company's needs and also my needs in the process. This was by far the best experience I have ever had with a recruiting firm." - CFO, Specialty Equipment Manufacturer "The Smith James Group was tremendous during the recruitment process. I have worked with a number of recruiters during my career and the Smith James Group stands out as the most professional I have worked with. Michael Smith fully understood the position and what the company was looking for. He was respectful of my time but also kept the process moving along throughout and was particularly helpful in discussing the culture of the company and the characters of the hiring managers. This helped me understand what the company was looking for, the pro and cons on my moving companies and ensured that I understood how to present myself in the best possible way. Michael was a great resource during the whole interview process as he new what the ‘state of play’ was at all times and could advise me accordingly. Once the offer had been made Michael talked with both my wife and I so we fully understood the offer and the implications and opportunities of relocation. I appreciated Michael's council when it cam to weighing up the offer and when we came to negotiating the ‘small print’." - Product Line General Manager, Special Sensing Equipment "My experience with Smith James Group was BY FAR the best experience I have had with a placement firm. The evaluation process was extremely thorough (the most thorough I had ever been through) and helped me gain a better understanding of both myself and the position. Working with Michael and Elizabeth, I felt I was part of a team trying to achieve a goal. They take the time to get to know you not only as a professional but as a person as well. I truly do believe they look out for the best interests of their candidates, and work diligently to make sure there is a great match between the company and the candidate. In short, Michael and Elizabeth were a pleasure to work with – a top notch experience. I would not hesitate to recommend them." - Prior CFO, Internet Security Company and now CFO of Industry Association

Candidates Who Got the Assignment

Got the Assignment

As you know, I am a believer in the process you used during my screening as a potential applicant for the role of VP Marketing at a major durable goods manufacturer and am happy to give my feedback for you to use.

Two key areas come to mind as differentiators regarding your process vs. most others.

• The scheduled "taped" interview. While most recruiters try and capture the "spirit" of the answers...a taped conversation allows the interviewer to listen for the answers and allow good follow-up questions. From the potential clients perspective they have the ability to listen to an unrehearsed and unedited conversation which to me is invaluable. A perspective employer can pick up on voice inflections and begin to shape an opinion as to fit, not only from position requirements perspective but also from a style point of view.

• Since the interview is captured, Michael Smith was able to prepare me and the employer with an enhanced interview experience. The prior president of the company said: "Bob, my wife and I listened to your taped interviewer for 4 hours in the car and at the end I knew you were the person for the role before we even met."

- Corporate Level Vice President of Marketing

"I had the opportunity to work with Smith James Group when my company was looking to hire a new Chief Financial Officer. I went through an extensive process with Smith James, including a few interviews as well as preparing a list of answers to some standard questions that they had. The interview process was very interactive, and they kept me informed every step of the way. They gave me a very good impression of the company I was interviewing with, and I had a good idea of the people, the personality and the style of the company before setting my foot in the door. I worked very closely with Michael Smith and Elizabeth Denney, and they both prepared me well for the interview process, understanding the needs of the organization and the culture of the company. I ran into no surprises in the whole process, which I believe is a strong indication that Smith James did a very good job understanding the company's needs and also my needs in the process. This was by far the best experience I have ever had with a recruiting firm."

- CFO, Specialty Equipment Manufacturer

"The Smith James Group was tremendous during the recruitment process. I have worked with a number of recruiters during my career and the Smith James Group stands out as the most professional I have worked with.

Michael Smith fully understood the position and what the company was looking for. He was respectful of my time but also kept the process moving along throughout and was particularly helpful in discussing the culture of the company and the characters of the hiring managers. This helped me understand what the company was looking for, the pro and cons on my moving companies and ensured that I understood how to present myself in the best possible way.

Michael was a great resource during the whole interview process as he new what the ‘state of play’ was at all times and could advise me accordingly. Once the offer had been made Michael talked with both my wife and I so we fully understood the offer and the implications and opportunities of relocation. I appreciated Michael's council when it cam to weighing up the offer and when we came to negotiating the ‘small print’."

- Product Line General Manager, Special Sensing Equipment

"My experience with Smith James Group was BY FAR the best experience I have had with a placement firm. The evaluation process was extremely thorough (the most thorough I had ever been through) and helped me gain a better understanding of both myself and the position. Working with Michael and Elizabeth, I felt I was part of a team trying to achieve a goal. They take the time to get to know you not only as a professional but as a person as well. I truly do believe they look out for the best interests of their candidates, and work diligently to make sure there is a great match between the company and the candidate.

In short, Michael and Elizabeth were a pleasure to work with – a top notch experience. I would not hesitate to recommend them."

- Prior CFO, Internet Security Company and now CFO of Industry Association