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Gillian Executive Search, Inc. - Executive Recruiters, Executive Recruiters in Real Estate, Executive Recruiters in Construction, Executive Recruiters in Architecture, Executive Recruiter, Executive Recruiter in Real Estate Development, Executive Recruiter in Construction, Executive Recruiters in Architecture
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Sep 11
12
It’s not you, it’s me!
The “you” in this title is everyone still struggling through this economy and the “me” is the economy. I felt this was a fitting title because the amount of calls we’ve been fielding for 3-4 years now from candidates that are racking their brains trying to figure out why they can’t find a job is staggering. They all call me with a sense of “Kipp! What’s wrong with me!”. They’re all shocked when I say “There’s nothing wrong with you”. This economy has the best of candidates pulling their hair out trying to figure out a new angle, a new trick or anything that will get them in the door for a new job. The problem is that their is just not much out there. We’ve seen fits and starts. This past Spring and early Summer was the closest I’ve felt to “normal” in years. But alas, things are sputtering again.
My message here is if you have a good background (and that is key) then don’t beat yourself up wondering why you haven’t landed a new position. Just keep at it. The economy is slow in turning around but it has made substantial progress from where we were a while ago.
Kipp Gillian – President
Gillian Executive Search, Inc.
kgillian@gessearch.com
866-600-0437
Gillian Executive Search, Inc. – Executive Recruiters in Real Estate Development, Executive Recruiters in Architecture, Executive Recruiters in Engineering, Executive Recruiters in Construction Management, Executive Recruiters in Finance, Accounting and Real Estate Law, Executive Recruiters in Property Management, Construction Recruiters, jobs
May 11
21
Are we there yet?
I’m the child in the back of the car that won’t stay quiet. I’m excited to end the longest backseat car ride I’ve ever been on. “ARE WE THERE YET” I’ve screamed over and over. The worst part is that I haven’t heard the driver say “YES, now hush!”. Instead I’m met with a quiet almost ignoring me response as if the driver isn’t quiet sure but is yet hopeful that a street sign will emerge soon alleviating the concern that we are lost.
I make this comparison because lately I’ve seen a nice change in course from the past 3 years. Clients old and new have risen out of the ashes to hire one or two new people. It isn’t the big push we’ve been waiting for but it’s better than what we’ve been dealing with.
It’s almost like a reunion chatting with old clientele and sharing war stories of what we’ve all been through. A tear comes to my eye when they say “Kipp we need a couple of new hires”.
Though I can “wet my whistle” on the trickle coming out of the faucet I’m not quite sure if it’s a sign of a full flow returning to the system. But my gut says it is. If what my clients are telling me turns out to be true then we should see an enormous activity surge in July/August of this year.
So like the child who has zero control of when we get there and/or how fast all I want to know is “ARE WE THERE YET! ARE WE EVEN CLOSE” because everything around me right now tells me that we are. I’m tired, I’m fussy and I just want out of the back seat.
To catch everyone up we are working on financial, development, architecture, construction and engineering positions in the South Eastern part of the US (focus is mixed use + resort), we are signing contracts in July for project management positions in retail, we are busy with positions in affordable housing/multifamily housing and dealing with some new clients that have heavy focus in mechanical engineering. Plus we just wrapped up a couple of development management positions for commercial development. We are working every where from the South Eastern part of the US, to Iowa, Indiana, California and Hawaii.
Gillian Executive Search, Inc. – Executive Recruiters in Real Estate Development, Executive Recruiters in Architecture, Executive Recruiters in Engineering, Executive Recruiters in Construction Management, Executive Recruiters in Finance, Accounting and Real Estate Law, Executive Recruiters in Property Management
Give me a call anytime,
Kipp Gillian – President
Gillian Executive Search, Inc.
kgillian@gessearch.com
www.gessearch.com
866-600-0437
Feb 11
16
Hiring special
THE BIG HIRING SPECIAL!
2/16/2011
The market is getting a bit better for new transactions and lending is finally on the map again. Feels like we’ve been in this fog forever. BUT times, they-are-a-changing. Gillian Executive Search understands our clients and we know that right now transaction volume and forward motion is happening but it hasn’t reached the “tipping point” that spurs hiring. Part of this is because of the cost in hiring new talent. It’s hard to spend money when after 3 years you’ve just started making a profit again. We get that. So in order to help our clients in their hiring concerns we are offering ( from now through the end of March) a very special hiring promotion on our standard fee (does not include existing contracts). Call to find out more!
We feel this might relieve some of the burden off our client companies and also help us get some of our vast talent pool back to work. In order to move forward we all have to get in and row! So give us a call but don’t wait because when the market picks back up this special will be long gone!
Positive Notes:
Candidates, here is some positive news about the real estate market.
1. Finance Companies have returned to real estate attempting to raise capital to form new lending platforms
2. Private Equity and Hedge funds are picking up the slack for Banks and are providing financing
3. Prudential Mortgage Executive states “we are clearly past the bottom…there is more lending and capital in the market right now and a growing appetite for real estate debt”
4. Acquisition activity is way up in Multifamily and Hospitality with Retail and Industrial following
5. Most clients see a need to hire in the next 3-4 months
Looking forward: The market will be ripe in a couple of months for new acquisition personnel, analysts and real estate accounting finance. Multifamily companies are considering new developments while land prices are down. For our construction pool look for opportunities in Cap-x and renovation to pick up and gear those resumes to reflect any experience you have in that arena.
From Kipp’s desk:
It has been one heck of a long road since early 2008 but we can actually see the light this time, and it’s not a freight train heading our way. This time it’s actual recovery. The green shoots of employment won’t be completely evident until halfway through the year. Clients are busy right now just making sure they land deals and complete current transactions. Make no doubt about it, transaction is up and lending institutions are finally bullish on real estate. We are ALMOST at the end of this bumpy ride.
Oh yes, don’t forget to “link” to us on LINKEDIN.com and “friend us” on FACEBOOK.COM (just added our Facebook page. See our Icons to the left). What ever happened to just picking up the phone and calling someone?
Call me any time,
Kipp Gillian – President
Gillian Executive Search, Inc.
kgillian@gessearch.com
www.gessearch.com
866-600-0437 x 1
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Dec 10
20
Oh thank heaven for 2011
2011 – The year we get our jobs back?
That’s what we’re all hoping. I have to admit this whole situation has been rougher than I anticipated back in 2008 but in the past couple of months I’ve seen many positive indicators for 2011. It has fundamentals and structure that we just haven’t seen in 3 years. According to a few of our sources through KPMG and McGraw-Hill we find the following:
“After two of the most difficult economic years in memory, many global engineering and construction companies appear to be somewhat optimistic about their immediate prospects. Around half (48 percent) of the respondents to this year’s survey are forecasting rising backlogs in 2011. (KPMG)”
Positive Notes:
1. Construction starts to be up across the board in 2011
2. Large construction firms are pushing away from large infrastructure projects in favor of niche markets in power such as oil, gas, nuclear, power generation, water
3. Many builders are actively looking internationally and toward growing markets in South America.
4. Very few builders look to lay off workers in 2011 and are considering lean growth.
5. Steady rise in green and sustainability projects. Green Market demand in 5 years has grown 6 fold from $10+ million to just under $70million
6. Steady rise retail and hospitality tenant improvement/renovation construction.
7. Construction starts forecast for 2011: Multifamily up 26%, Office/Retail/Hospitality up 16% and even single family is projected to be up 27% over 2010.
8. Area of concern – Public works and institutional building due to fading support from stimulus bill and local jurisdictions.
9. Many leaders feel that a “renewed expansion” is just around the corner.
Looking back: Stimulus was un-stimulating for real estate. Most of the Administration’s stimulus packages went towards the civic arena to save jobs in public education, police and fire service. Though this is great and did stave off some unemployment issues for the country it did little to save jobs in real estate development (including design and construction) which if taken by itself has seen almost a 25% drop in employment nation wide.
Looking forward: Real estate firms (architectural, construction and development) are adopting a leaner meaner approach to hiring. Thus creating a more dedicated employer that is willing to invest long-term in top talent not only fiscally but also through more advanced training and mentorship. Clients have learned the hard way during the Great Recession that over staffing can cause a tragic ripple effect in hard times costing them even their most coveted talent. Most employers now feel they can do more with a little bit less and therefore survive tough economic downturns with less lay-offs and retain the talent they’ve worked hard to recruit. This also creates a stronger atmosphere for more competition because companies won’t put themselves in harms way going after more than they’re capable of. More companies in niche markets will create a great demand for talent as the market improves.
From Kipp’s desk: 2011 should have an upbeat tone to it. Each quarter getting a little bit better than the one prior. When looking for a job don’t just rely on job boards and social networking. Remember to get out and be noticed. Have a couple of coffee-meetings a week with those in every side of the industry. Don’t send your resume off into the great unknown of the cyber world but learn who’s hiring, track down the hiring manager and make direct contact. 2011 should be a better year but it will be slow in gathering steam. We’ll stay in touch but if you ever have a question or need some guidance give me a call.
It’s tough to go from 3 years of dark clouds to seeing a ray of light because at this point even a little light can be blinding and a bit confusing. Atrophy has forcefully set in and we’ve become sluggish, but now is the time to shake off the dust and throw some cold water in our faces because in 2011 we have work to do!
Happy Holiday to you and your loved ones!
Kipp Gillian – President
Gillian Executive Search, Inc.
www.gessearch.com
866-600-0437 x 1