Summer 2007
Brian Dworetsky
Brian Dworetsky was well-established as VP and General Manager of Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Vancouver when he made a personal decision to relocate his family to the Philadelphia area. Despite 20 years with one employer, and the last 11 of those years in Canada, he successfully landed an outstanding position with his targeted employer (Group Manager, Aramark Uniform Services).
Brian, when you started your search, you were new to the area with no
network. How did you approach this situation? Where did it lead you?
I joined ExecuNet to participate in their regional meetings. At my first
meeting, facilitated by Kelleher Associates, I circulated through the room and
asked other attendees of their experience with area career coaches. I had
already initiated a program with an international outplacement firm but felt it
wasn’t right for me. Several people suggested I talk to Kelleher – that they are
the best. Subsequently I met with Al Kramer and Mitch Wienick and determined
that Kelleher was the place to go.
I walked away from a corporate sponsored program and assumed the financial
responsibility for a career coach, but this was my future and I wanted the
best—Mitch Wienick.
What were the challenges you faced at the beginning of your search?
No network! I didn’t know how or where to start. My resume was inadequate and I
had not interviewed on my own behalf with another company in over 20 years.
How did you work through these obstacles?
Mitch and I did a complete overhaul of my resume and it went through the
‘Kelleherizing” process which meant content and format. Mitch also helped me
create an executive profile which is a brief bio highlighting areas of expertise
and targeted positions, industries, companies. It was the first I had heard of
an executive profile and it proved to be a very useful tool.
Mitch was immensely helpful with the networking piece. I learned how to tell
my ‘story’. Although I am a confident person, I wasn’t really conveying to the
listener what was unique about my accomplishments and background. I actually
rehearsed my story with Mitch and others a number of times and we used this as a
springboard to hone my interview skills.
I joined GPSEG (Greater Philadelphia Senior Executive Group) and also
networked with the Kelleher clients, whom I found tremendously helpful.
With my new resume and profile, networking and interviewing skills, and
specific targets, I was able to focus on getting to the right people (and Mitch
also offered his own contacts to me once we settled on target positions,
industries, and companies).
How were the coaching sessions conducted?
The meetings were structured. I came in prepared and reported on my progress. I
knew that I was accountable to Mitch and we would not waste the time we had
together. How did you find your new position?
Aramark was one of my main targets. A few months into the process a former
Kelleher Associates client and GPSEG member sent me a job lead with a recruiter
who was formerly a VP at Aramark. While I was the #2 candidate for that
particular position, the recruiter determined that I was a fit for Aramark
although there was not a current suitable position available. Three weeks later,
on his recommendation I met with the company and the process went from there.
You have learned a lot from this process. What would you share with other
executives in this position?
- Have a good story to tell about yourself.
Examine what you have accomplished that is really special and unique. Know
what you are saying and be aware of your body language when saying it.
- Be fully prepared for every interview
question. Practice.
- Be consistent in your search. Take a day
off when you need it but don’t let up week to week. It is a full time job.
- There are peaks and valleys in the search.
Even a confident person needs encouragement.
- Select the coach who is right for you.
How do you feel about the total experience at Kelleher?
Mitch’s coaching was outstanding. If not for him, I would probably still be out
there searching, or worse yet, would have accepted an unsuitable position. I
genuinely consider Mitch my friend.
In addition, the little extras were there as well, such as the outstanding
administrative support from Dianne, a conversation from time to time with Al
Kramer regarding my progress, a greeting (every day) from Ed Kelleher, etc.
These “other” pieces went a long way towards making me feel comfortable and
appreciated, and reinforced to me that Kelleher was the answer for me. |
