By Carrie Muntean, ESGI Potomac
With “RIF” as the acronym on the tip of nearly every federal government employee’s and contractor’s tongue of late, Evan Scott, President of ESGI Potomac, has some good news to share. “While we historically have been exclusively a retainer-based search firm, contacted by many companies to assist with executive-level candidate searches, we are excited to announce we have now added executive coaching and career development services. These should be of great interest and assistance to federal government employees seeking private sector placement or contractors needing a new employer. These services will be an excellent supplement to our ongoing executive search practice.”
Why the Change?
Traditionally executive search firms only help an individual if they happen to have an active, open search for candidates. Otherwise, individuals’ résumés are entered into the database for possible future use. ESGI Potomac takes a different approach. When an individual contacts us for assistance, we always take the time to try to help. Previously Evan did this on a pro bono basis and these services are very much part of ESGI Potomac’s DNA.
Due to the current climate in the federal government, combined with active mergers and acquisitions and private equity causing more churn at the senior levels in the private sector than we have ever seen, it has become impossible to continue our pro bono approach because we lack sufficient human resources to help everyone who is contacting us. This is why we felt an obligation to create a more formal mechanism embodied by the Executive Coaching and Career Development services.
Why Us?
One of the key benefits of our Executive Coaching and Career Development Services is that they are part of our executive search practice. We have a unique understanding about how companies hire and what they look for in an individual. This expertise and insights set us apart from traditional outplacement companies. We understand how to put together effective search strategies to increase the probability of success. In our opinion this is the most effective way to find a new job.
Who is Leading the Effort?
I am the Senior Director for ESGI Potomac’s new initiative. I served nearly 25 years in the State Department, with the past several years at the executive level, attaining a rank equivalent to a one-star Army general. I also have logged more than 100 hours as a leadership coach for colleagues in the Department and CEOs before my recent retirement
from the State Department. We have a cadre of similarly qualified coaches ready to assist federal workers who find themselves searching for private sector jobs, many for the first time, as well as executives in the private sector who are looking for new opportunities.
What Services for Individual Professionals are Offered?
Our career development services include résumé refresh, interview preparation, and tips on networking. The team starts with a 15-minute pro bono session to establish each client’s needs and determine a path forward. Once the client signs up for services, a coach will work with them to refresh their résumé for the private sector, network to send their résumé to contacts in relevant hiring companies, and provide coaching on the client’s skills, experience, and desired jobs. When our coaches offered the same services pro bono in the past, our clients called the work “life-changing.” One client credited me with him finding a new job that better fit his passions to learn new things and have a broader impact. Another said, “I gained so much confidence in my own abilities as a leader through our work together. I can’t thank you enough.”
What Services for Teams are Available?
If your concern is more about team morale or cohesion during these turbulent times, ESGI Potomac can also help there. Many of our coaches are also trained facilitators of team-building exercises, including consensus-building around vision and mission, improving collaboration, managing and leading change, and strengthening communication. A group of attorneys for whom I facilitated multiple rounds of discussions regarding a reorganization said, “While we could have achieved the reorg without you, it would have been so much more painful. Thank you for your firm guidance to get us all on the same page so quickly and effectively.” Another group of HR professionals was constantly backlogged in their work and under pressure from leadership to improve their turnaround time. Their leader said my series of facilitated sessions “helped my group spot the stove pipes and choke points that were not serving us well, and break the down so our process would be more efficient and work better for all concerned.”
How to Learn More
If you or your team are interested in ESGI Potomac’s new executive coaching and career development services, check out ESGI Potomac’s website at executivesearchgroupinc.com
