It seems that we all have a story on how we got into the recruiting business, and I am no different. After attending college to become an architect and practicing for a short period of time, I quickly realized that sitting behind a drawing board was not in the cards for me. However I did not realize that answering a job ad for a sales position would change my career forever.

After learning the art of professional needs based on selling from my mentor, I was fortunate enough to assume the role as General Sales Manager of an office equipment dealership. Having worked with many questionable recruiting firms who failed miserably at helping fill our open positions, we took matters into our own hands and began in-house recruiting with the help of a third party sourcing firm. To make a short story even shorter, the dealership was sold and I joined the firm that assisted us as its Managing Director.

That was almost 2 decades ago, and since that time I have served as founder and President of 2 successful recruitment research and professional search firms. Today most of my time is spent educating recruiters, staffing executives and hiring managers on how to improve their recruitment processes.

When I am not recruiting, teaching or speaking, my passions lie in high speeds and ear shattering horsepower. From Harley Davidson motorcycles, to Detroit built speed, to the refinement of fine Italian race cars, I collect and drive almost anything with an engine. When I am not on the ground pushing the limits, I am in the air learning to control the throttle of a small Cessna airplane to add to my thrill seeking and my family’s heartburn!

One of the highlights of the year is the annual road trip that I participate in with a group of other executives. We spend 10 – 12 days on our motorcycles exploring the winding roads of the United States from Wyoming to the Carolina’s and up through Canada. In order to find just the right road, at the right time, and for the right ride, takes the right preparation, the right tools and almost flawless execution – not unlike recruiting the right candidate.

Leave it to a recruiter to compare riding a Harley to recruiting a CEO! I wish you a safe and effective “riding” season in 2012.