As posted on my MN Headhunter Blog:

Celebrates 10 years, more like survives.

10 years is a long time to do something. Other than being a recruiter and a Gopher football fan I am not sure what else I have done for 10 years. Besides obvious things like being a son, friend, etc.

Ten years, 2 months to be exact. I am not big on anniversary dates so I missed it but November 3, 1997 was my first day as a search firm guy.

I get this question all the time, what’s it like being in this game for so long?

One analogy I use is a 12 round boxing match is a lot like one specific search. Lots of punches thrown, some hit and a few miss. Lots of sweat. Getting cut happens when you are not paying attention to the little things. Occasionally you take a low blow like a counteroffer acceptance or a bad reference.

The other analogy is one month in the business is a lot like a marathon. Physical stamina, controlling emotions, getting in the zone. 8,10, 12 hour days. Running out of caffeine sucks.

Saying it like this makes me wonder why anyone would do it. Do I have another ten years in me? Yeah, I do. The question is will something else come along that I can get passionate about, that I would be willing to fully emurse myself in.

That could happen and there is part of me that hopes it does.

The past few years it seems as though being a recruiter has given me the time and ability to do other things like volunteering, writing the blog, explore my interest in social networks, etc.

So in a way, being a recruiter and a one man band of a search firm has allowed me to pursue related interests at the same time. For all the time that gets taken up with annoying and unproductive administrative tasks, those not recruiting but running the business, it does allow me the ability to do and try other things.

A few lessons to pass on:

• Find a good (expensive) attorney
• Find a good (expensive) accountant
• Have a signed fee agreement for every search you do
• Be honest in all business dealings
• Listen, listen, listen
• Have the best interest of your client and candidate always ahead of yours. It all works out for the better in the end
• Reputation matters
• Do not let your ego get in the way of who you are
• Trust is earned
• Take care of yourself physically, emotionally, mentally
• Decompress regularly
• Resist compromising your integrity, morals and values
• Do not be afraid to make mistakes, own up to them, learn from them, do not repeat them
• There are going to be good times and bad times. Do not get caught up in the moment

I have learned a lot since starting the business with little experience, no cash and in debt.

People ask me all the time why I did not go back and get my MBA. I have one, it’s called self employment. While my friends were learning about marketing plans, business plans, and other things I was at Perkins writing notes on napkins. Using QuickBooks. Finding ways to market myself for cheap (free). I was messing things up, making mistakes, learning things the hard way.

But in the end the one most important lesson I have learned or relearned as it is was engrained in me at a very young age by my mom. Every day, every time at every opportunity do the right thing, treat people right, fair and with respect.

10 more years? Yeah, maybe. One thing I know for sure it will not be boring.