Story of My Book
Executive search is a mystery, but it doesn’t have to be.
My name is Somer Hackley and I'm the author of Demystifying Executive Search. You could say I had unfortunate timing launching my company, Distinguished Search, a month before the pandemic. For months I had all the time in the world and no jobs to recruit for, so I did what I do best: I talked to people. Being forced to slow down gave me the gift of time and perspective.
I realized that the process of looking for an executive job and dealing with executive recruiters is opaque and frustrating. I slowly became a go-to person for job search transparency and wished there was a resource out there to provide to people. I decided to write it.
In this book you’ll learn about executive search through the eyes of recruiters and executive job seekers. You’ll have a toolkit you can use to launch or refine your search, build relationships with the right recruiters, prepare yourself, negotiate a great offer, and make sure the job you get is the job you want. More than anything you’ll realize that you’re not in this alone, and learn the lessons other people learned so you don’t have to live them yourself.
This isn’t general interview prep, this is specifically how to deal with the world that I live and breathe, retained executive search.
You'll love this book if you are currently an executive and are looking for a new position for the first time in years and don't really know where to start. This book is also for newish executives who feel that it is time to interview for positions of advancement and would like guidance on what to expect and what is expected of them.
The Book - Demystifying Executive Search
The book is written in 3 parts.
Part 1: How we got here
Demystifying Executive Search delves into what recruiters actually do, why companies use search firms, and why that matters to job seekers. The dynamics between recruiters and clients affect which candidates get interviews.
Part 2: Principle elements of engaging executive search
We discuss who recruiters target for jobs and how to be on that list. You’ll learn how to develop meaningful recruiter relationships and how they are judging you. Job seekers and recruiters weigh in how to think about and discuss compensation.
Part 3: How to land your dream job
Learn how to ignite your job search, navigate multiple job opportunities, and handle the offer stage. We dive deep on interview preparation and feedback. Recruiters weigh in on how candidates can leverage them to get an inside advantage.
What I Need & What You'll Get
Supporting this pre-order campaign isn't simply about buying the book. You're helping to support the costs associated with bringing this book to life, plus you'll be a part of the journey from here.
This book will be published with New Degree Press. Money raised will go towards the following:
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The Editor I will work with to revise and publish my manuscript in May 2022
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The Cover Design of my book. (The mockups you see currently are a placeholder)
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The Layout Design for the interior of my book (physical copy, ebook formats).
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The Copyediting for my book to polish the grammar and spelling prior to publication.
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The Launch & Promotion Efforts for my book when I ultimately publish this summer.
I am also offering some exclusive rewards for people who pre-order my book now:
- You will receive a personally signed copy of my book when I publish and a handwritten thank-you note.
- Your name will appear in the Acknowledgments section of my book (“with Special Thanks to”).
- You will receive early access to the Introduction and some excerpts from my book, with the opportunity to review it and give me early feedback.
- You will have the opportunity to be involved in selecting my cover and title.
- You will be invited to join my community and get behind-the-scenes sneak peeks into the publishing process, and an open discussion with job search advice and tips.
- And much more!
Campaign Goals
Tier 1: Hit $6,500 and the ebook/softcover editions get published (this is the minimum needed)
Tier 2: Hit $7,500 and the book will get a hardcover edition
Tier 3: Hit $9,500 and we’ll get an audiobook edition.
About the Author
Somer Hackley has been recruiting for nearly 20 years and spent the last 13 years in executive search. She spent six years at CTPartners, the seventh largest search firm globally at the time. After CTPartners Somer led the North America Digital Technology and Commerce Practice at a leading boutique executive search firm until launching her own brand, Distinguished Search, in 2020.
Somer partners with companies to recruit and hire exceptional Director to C-level talent, with a focus on technology, engineering, digital, and product positions. You can read testimonials here. She launched her own brand to give more attention to fewer clients and candidates, believing that everyone deserves a great experience. Relationships, empathy, time and communication are things that don’t scale.
Somer is not your typical recruiter. She helps job seekers understand how executive search works so they can land the jobs they want and stay sane through the process. Somer is writing this book solely for her love of people and to provide answers to a world that is typically closed off to them.
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International Preorders
For international preorders, please do the following:
Select the pink "Back it" button to "Make a contribution" for the same amount of the perk that interests you (this choice bypasses the shipping address page).
Send an email to somer@distinguishedsearch.com to share your mailing address so I can calculate the international shipping costs and invoice you for that amount via PayPal/Venmo. Please let me know which perk you are purchasing.
Risks & Challenges
The biggest challenge with publishing a book is delivering the finished book to the backer, specifically my mailing of the book to you. I have eliminated this risk by building into the campaign the mailing and shipping costs of your signed copies to you within each pre-order tier.
The risk of delivering the pre-sale copies of my book is contingent on the publisher we use. I will be working closely with New Degree Press to make sure we get the earliest possible ship date of the signed book copy to you. We will keep all pre-sale backers up-to-date as my book hits each key milestone and publishes. You will know when the copies are expected to ship.
Other Ways You Can Help
Not everyone can support, but that doesn't mean you can't get something out of it!
I will reward the top 3 people who refer the most backers at the end of the campaign (30 days). Here's how:
At the top of the campaign page, you will see the "share" buttons. Click on the "chain" icon to get a custom link just for you. (Note: don't use the URL in the browser window as it won't work to track referrals and you won't get credit ?)
Copy that link and paste it on your social media, email it to a friend, or text a fellow book lover.
When someone clicks on that link and backs the book, you get 1 entry!
Please use #ExecutiveSearchBook and tag me as well as my publisher, New Degree Press, so we can help amplify your efforts!
Tag:
Thank you so much for of all of your love and support!
Thanks again,
Somer