Am I where I should be?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 98,000 persons are currently working in public relations and corporate communications positions. Also according to the BLS and their Occupational Outlook Handbook (2004) writers and editors held about 320,000 jobs; writers and authors held about 142,000 jobs; Editors, about 127,000 jobs; and technical writers, about 50,000. Salaries range from $23,000 for a brand new practitioner with a baccalaureate degree to mid-range salaries between $54,000 and $91,000 and up to $150,000 or more for a Public Relations Vice President. Some industries and companies pay their employees more than others, especially those in the Northeast and Midwest U.S.

Do you know for certain that you are where you should be in terms of location, pay, and level of responsibility?

In truth, even when you know intuitively that you have alternatives, figuring out exactly what it is you want to do about your career can be a daunting task filled with some baffling questions:

Where do I begin?
Where would I be the happiest?
What is the path to the best paying job?
Is it worth the effort?
What steps must I take?
How long will it take?
For what else am I suited?

RL Stevens can help...

Our philosophy is to help you manage your career with a professionally run job search and use many unadvertised methods to create choices for your career.

If you have struggled with answering career and happiness questions like these, understand that our firm is dedicated to helping you resolve them quickly and well.

RL Stevens staff has many years of hands-on experience in identifying and realizing career options for Communications professionals both inside and outside of their industry.

With extensive market knowledge and modern research tools, we can find growth firms that need your communications expertise. RL Stevens can also help you develop other career options, identify firms in which they are in demand, and then help you move steadily and surely toward achieving your career objectives in the most expeditious manner possible.

We at RL Stevens know that when any professional is in the market for a new position, he (or she) must remain keenly aware that regardless of where he has worked in the past, how he markets himself is vital to his success. He must know how to minimize his liabilities (such as the lack of a degree or certification) and how to best showcase his achievements both verbally and in writing. He must know how to approach potential employers in the best and most efficient manner possible. He must know how to secure interviews and how to win a new position during them. In short, he must know his own worth and how best to convey that worth to his next employer if he is to maximize his chances for better pay, advancement, and job satisfaction.

RL Stevens is the nation's most successful full-service career firm providing personalized and guaranteed services to corporate professionals. If we decide to work together, we guarantee to work with you until you are in the position of your choice. Furthermore, we can provide you services for the lifetime of your career.

Career Management & Job Search Marketing Consultants to Communications Professionals

Here is the Information You Need to Get the Position You Want!

The RL Stevens philosophy is to help you manage your career with a professionally run job search and use many unadvertised methods to create choices for your career.

Those in Communications – in-house, with a firm or with a publication — know what they do can be called many things: corporate communication, corporate relations, marketing, Public Relations, news analysts, market and survey researchers, reporters and correspondents and more. But regardless of its title, the function remains the same: to tell a story as persuasively as it can to either the general public or to a specific group: subscribers, a particular industry, voters, customers, patients, management teams, board of directors, readership, or anyone else who is interested. To that end, Communications professionals provide services such as press releases, speech writing, ghost writing, editing, feature stories, news reporting, news conferences, publicity, and other forms of public communication. They are promoters who through words and pictures sell intangibles such as reputation and image to a wide range of audiences.

Those in Communications – in-house, with a firm or with a publication — know what they do can be called many things: corporate communication, corporate relations, marketing, Public Relations, news analysts, market and survey researchers, reporters and correspondents and more. But regardless of its title, the function remains the same: to tell a story as persuasively as it can to either the general public or to a specific group: subscribers, a particular industry, voters, customers, patients, management teams, board of directors, readership, or anyone else who is interested. To that end, Communications professionals provide services such as press releases, speech writing, ghost writing, editing, feature stories, news reporting, news conferences, publicity, and other forms of public communication. They are promoters who through words and pictures sell intangibles such as reputation and image to a wide range of audiences.

Have you successfully promoted everything but your own career?

In some ways, this is an ideal time for those in Communications. In the high-tech sector, for example, there are so many companies or divisions launching new products or services—all vying for the public's attention—that creative practitioners are in demand. Those who can garner coverage in trade magazines and shows, who can capture the attention and interest of important editors and other influential parties, inevitably attract both start-up and long-established companies.

Yet it is something of an irony that even those within Communications, who are dedicated enlisting or enrolling others, or to promoting the image and reputation of those they serve, occasionally have difficulty in advancing their own agenda – their careers. Despite their creativity and ability to enhance the perception that readers or viewers have of companies or ideas, Communications professionals can become "stuck" when trying to convince others to hire them into a better position or a new field. Sometimes their difficulty stems from the state of the economy: just as in advertising, marketing and Public Relations practitioners, they are particularly susceptible to business vagaries. More often, however, it is ignorance of their options or how to go about making a major life change that holds them back.

RL Stevens is the nation's most successful full-service career firm providing personalized and guaranteed services to corporate professionals.

Mike came to RL Stevens after a very long tenure with the same company (15+ years). He was concerned about the confidential nature of his search, as he had recently become a senior partner in the organization and realized how destructive it could be, if his pending transition became public knowledge.

By the middle of the 7th week, he had identified and national/international advertising company seeking a regional director to penetrate the mid-west market. This opportunity involved an entrepreneurial skill set: “I had to jump at it…The amazing thing is that I can stay at my current company while I begin to build and shape this venture. As it grows into maturity, I can step away from the manufacturing industry entirely, not be in a competitive situation, and accomplish my primary goals of: changing industries, greater flexibility, and opportunity to be involved in something new.”

“I never thought that in 2 months I’d be a Regional Director with $110K base plus incentives (commission) and stock! That’s an increase of $35K from my last job in base comp alone!! This is going to be a lot of fun… RL Stevens really helped me… I think I’ll enjoy keeping you around for the next five years.”

There are many, many more of these success stories. Won’t you let RL Stevens help create a success story about you?

Ryan had spent the past year doing freelance work as an independent creative writer and television-advertising consultant. He had plenty of business and revenue, but was seeking something more stable, with a long-term growth path.

As a writer, Ryan accelerated through RL Stevens analytical profiles, 3C stories, and other developmental materials. His eager approach to use RL Stevens’s technological tools provided him a great attitude for launch. His efforts produced instant results.

“Leads and contacts, businesses, clients, vendors, and search firms came rolling out of the woodwork. I had more contract business than ever before…. And after going through the program, I was more prepared than ever to represent my functional skills and competencies”

A previous employer of Ryan’s contacted him and asked him to come on in a Sports marketing position at a salary $48,000 higher than his last—plus commission, bonus and incentives! “They had seen my materials, heard what I had been doing, and asked me to write my own position description and compensation proposal: How cool can this get?!?”

Maureen, a dynamic woman in her late thirties, had earned her spurs the hard way. At the age of 20, she had left her home in Florida to find work in a major city in the Northeast. She became a retail clerk in a well-known national chain, worked diligently, was promoted often, and eventually became Customer Service Manager of the chain’s largest store. Then a new boss came in—and everything changed. What had once been a great job turned into a nightmare. So Maureen came to RL Stevens for some much needed help.

She had a very good idea of what she wanted to do: outside sales in the field of broadcasting. Determined to succeed, she quit her job and devoted herself wholeheartedly to the marketing campaign devised by RL Stevens with her consultant’s help. Her resume was rewritten to highlight her many sales-related achievements while downplaying her lack of a college degree. After a series of carefully orchestrated informational interviews, Maureen was offered and accepted an Advertising Representative position on the staff of the largest FM station in the city … and doubled her income! Later, she thanked her consultant for the help offered by her new resume and our techniques. “RL Stevens really REALLY made a big difference!”

Although the work of RL Stevens with clients is in strict confidence, we can present 'profiles' of candidates we have worked with in the past. Here are some of their stories:

Pat left college in his senior year to accept a temporary position with his family-owned printing business. Ten years later, still in the business as a manager and co-owner, he decided to complete his degree.

At the same time, the relationship he had with another family co-owner deteriorated Pat decided to leave the business and pursue a new career. Armed with a brand new degree at age 32, he entered the market and after a short period of time, came to RL Stevens for assistance.

He faced several negatives: his age, coming from an industry that was drastically shrinking, and wearing the label of the entrepreneur to name only a few. Pat’s consultant went to work targeting viable industries, and then determining which would be best. Advertising seemed to be both logical and promising. Then it was a matter of positioning Pat correctly, and developing a customized package to enable him to achieve his goals. Within three short months, after a series of interviews with several firms, Pat was able to secure an Advertising Sales Representative position that not only took advantage of his past experience in the printing industry, but also moved him into a much more dynamic and promising environment.

We at RL Stevens know that when an advertising professional is in the market for a new position or career, he (or she) must remain keenly aware that regardless of where he has worked in the past, how he markets himself is vital to his success in the future. He must know how to minimize his liabilities (such as the lack of a degree or being unemployed) and how to best showcase his achievements both verbally and in writing. He must know how to approach potential employers in the best and most efficient manner. He must know how to secure interviews and how to win a new position during them. In short, he must know his own worth and how best to convey that worth to his next employer if he is to maximize his chances for better pay, advancement, and job satisfaction.

Easy to Say, Harder to Do

Sadly, most of us, even those in senior management, don't know much about changing jobs or careers. It's not a subject we study in college or a skill we hone in the field. Yes, there is a multitude of books we can read about career and job changes, just as there are about learning to play golf. However, learning golf from a book will never match the help you get from a pro who has helped hundreds like you master, what is in truth, a very difficult game.

Working together with your senior consultant, you will explore your options and select the one that will provide you with the greatest opportunity. Together you will formulate a plan of action for marketing yourself and aggressively pursuing your goals. Our staff will help you weigh the offers you receive and negotiate the most advantageous financial package. The result will be greater career satisfaction and the chance to make an impact in a new area, whether inside or outside your present discipline.

If we decide to work together, we guarantee to work with you until you are in the position of your choice. Furthermore, we can provide you an option for a Lifetime of Career Search Assistance. No other career firm provides comparable services or such guarantees to back the up!

The right position, in the right career field, with the appropriate compensation package provides peace of mind and a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. With significant experience in marketing, management, creative writing, industry consulting, and sophisticated market research capabilities, we could provide you with the keys to success.

Randy Steven, CEO, RL Stevens

At RL Stevens, we hold responsiveness, dependability, and quality of service in high regard. Having come from a variety of management positions ourselves, we understand the need for personalized service from professionals who will ensure that your needs are always met. We would develop multiple, simultaneous, unpublished marketing channels and approaches to the job market the better to help you attain your goal.

If you are someone thinking about strategic direction, career transition and where new ideas are needed, you may appreciate this story in the brief below.

Vice President of Franchise Operations to National Vice President of Multi-Branding. Ralph came to RL Stevens looking for a change of scenery.  Circumstances...had changed, he could see some long-term ramifications...wisdom dictated he ought to at least consider his options...

General Review
 
Ralph came to RL Stevens looking for a change of scenery. Circumstances at his current employer had changed; he could see some long-term ramifications that would adversely impact his position within the organization…wisdom dictated he ought to at least consider his options.

Once his consultant completely assessed his skills, knowledge, and direction, Ralph was provided with information showing the beginning of the hiring pattern for the desired industries. Ralph selectively placed his information into the hands of key decision makers at some companies, based on our targeted research and began the ‘courting process’ with the world’s largest fast food conglomerate.  Much of the process was accomplished without ever discussing salary or the actual positional title, which he would hold.

An interesting chain of events provided him with the opportunity to be involved at the ground level of ‘multi-branding’ with these stores, in which all three restaurants share a facility, much like a miniature ‘food court’.

“Seven years with the same organization in the same position can give you a real tunnel vision for what you can do and where you could fit within an organization.  This gave me the confidence to go in and communicate with senior level decision makers as peers, with a clear understanding of my qualifications and marketability.”

Previous
Title: VP of Franchise Operations
Salary: $125,000
Industry: Food Service

Current    
Title: National VP of Multi-Branding
Salary: $165,000 +
Industry: Restaurant Management

Position Search: 5 Weeks (from re-launch)
Interviews: 3
Job Offers: 2
Salary Increase:  32% + corporate perks ($40,000)

Regional Sales Manager (unemployed) to Senior Account Executive. Jerry had been out of work for four months when he approached RL Stevens for help narrowing down his choices...his major priority was to join a company with a strong growth curve, where he could use his extensive project management and sales skills...

General Review

Jerry had been out of work for four months when he approached RL Stevens for help narrowing down his choices. An accomplished technical sales executive in his mid-50’s, his major priority was to join a company with a strong growth curve, where he could use his extensive project management and sales skills.

Jerry's consultant helped him to find and understand where his skills fit in the marketplace and explained his many options. Jerry was given decision maker names, extensive market research, growth opportunities, and substantial knowledge of the competition. A short time later, using his written and oral marketing plan, Jerry began to be wooed by a competitor of his former company and also by a startup that actually employed him briefly as a business development consultant.  It soon became apparent that Jerry would likely have more than one offer from which to choose.

His consultant coached him every step of the way, through interviews with the Presidents and Senior Executives of two companies. In the end, after Jerry had ruled out the local startup he’d been working for, his consultant helped him orchestrate having two live offers simultaneously and thoroughly evaluate them, head to head.

For reasons of personal challenge as well as potential financial reward, Jerry chose to join a well-financed provider of e-business product development solutions whose first products have been sold to major multinational equipment designers and manufacturers, rather than the competitor. He’s thrilled to be returning to work in a key role in such an organization.

Previous
Title: Regional Sales Manager (unemp)
Salary: $95,000
Industry: Specialty Pumps

Current
Title: Senior Account Executive
Salary: $115,000 +
Industry: E-business

Position Search: 8 weeks
Interviews: 3
Job Offers: 3
Salary Increase: 21%+ ($20,000+)

General Review

Walter owned his own business growing special breeds of flowers. He had been successful over the course of his career and many years but changes to the industry including orders online and discount nurseries had made his business much less profitable. He was struggling to survive. Walter made a decision to sell or close the business and obtain employment elsewhere. He knew how to manage and operate a business and wanted to transfer those skills into a different industry. Because it had been over 20 years since he had made a career move, he enlisted the help of RL Stevens.

Walter knew it would be impossible to develop the proper way to manage his career / branding image without the proper tools. His consultant worked with him on exposure and helped him understand where his skills fit in the market place.   She identified opportunities through targeted research. Using his personal marketing action plan as a guide, he uncovered companies that could benefit from his expertise.

Although his career search started and stopped numerous times while tending to his business and then completing liquidation, Walter still utilized the targeted research. Within just a couple of months of completely closing his business, he approached an owner who was in a position to hire the right individual to run his business. The owner was great at sales and had a good market and product but not business savvy. He saw Walter as a solution. Walter would run the business while he focused on business development. This was the perfect solution for Walter. It allowed him to manage an operation, implementing processes and programs while working for another owner with opportunity for growth.

Previous
Title: Self-Employed
Salary: $40,000
Industry: Nursery    

Current
Title: CEO
Salary: $89,500
Industry: Manufacturing

Position Search: 60 weeks
Interviews: 2
Job Offers: 1
Salary Increase: 124% ($49,500)