One of the core values of The FENG is our willingness to share job leads with each other.

For some reason people seem to overvalue job leads. There are lots of things that are wrong with published job leads. For one thing, it is a fair fight. I much prefer networking where there is often no competition.

That said, job leads have value, if not in actually getting a job, in making new friends. A job lead is considered a valuable gift. If you would like to hear about job leads that are out in the market, can you honestly tell me that you are sharing all of the leads you hear about? If you aren’t, why not? Keep in mind that there are always about 20 candidates submitted to a client by most search firms. You can help put your friends on that slate. Better them than strangers.

We are an organization of 32,000+ members, and our evening newsletter is now down to 50 leads on a good night. While I must confess that the volume of calls I am getting from folks in the search business is way down, there still are jobs being filled. The trick is for everyone to feel responsible to write up what they know and to send it in. Inviting competition from the group is a good thing.

If you are in touch with recruiters who have jobs to fill, please encourage them to visit our website and register with us. Their greatest fear is that they will be buried in responses by our members if they post with us. Their experience base is often the public job boards. If you would remind them that providing a city location and salary range will hold down the volume, they will have a good FENG experience, and, they might even post again. This is not the wild wild west.

I would also remind you that getting permission before you send in postings is also important. There are certain firms that swear you to secrecy. I am not suggesting you break their confidences. That said, you do need to make a pitch for our services. There are a few firms out there with jobs to fill, and I can’t be responsible for being the only one to convince them about the quality of our membership. As a member, you should know how to do that.

Look, if they are seeking someone in their late 20’s or early 30’s for an Accounting Manager job, this is not the place to post it. But if their client is willing to consider a well experienced individual, we are a great resource. I am more than willing to speak with any doubters. I am quite capable of selling snow to Eskimos. In fact, I enjoy doing it. I just can’t be everywhere at once, and all of you can.

The success of The FENG has been that each of you as an individual has been willing to put the interests of your fellow members, to a degree, ahead of your own. I am not suggesting you step in front of a bus for us, but making sure we all look both ways before crossing isn’t too much to ask.

If you have a job lead you can’t publish in our national newsletter, at least share it with your inner circle of friends. One hand washes the other. You honestly can’t lose.

Regards, Matt