One year! Wow, what a wild ride. Yes, a year ago today, I was notified that my position as Director of Recruiting for a large media group had been eliminated. Half of my recruiting team was downsized immediately following the acquisition of Raycom Media six-months earlier. Only to be immediately, and smartly, swept-up by the competition to form their own formidable recruiting team. The downsizing of the other half, including myself, occurred later. During my time with Raycom, I had the distinct privilege to hire/train/lead arguably the most talented recruiting team in the entire media industry. We even (humbly) referred to ourselves as “the dream team.” All good things must come to an end though it seems. I knew it was coming following the acquisition. We all did.
Most people are familiar with the Kubler-Ross model, or perhaps better known as the Five Stages of Grief: Denial. Anger. Bargaining. Depression. Acceptance. During the six-months that the downsizing gallows were wheeled within view of the impending decision, I more than likely experienced each stage to some degree. However, the phrase “everything happens for a reason” also leapt to mind. Being downsized was by far the best thing professionally to ever happen to me. Carver Talent was immediately born. I am incredibly lucky to have an intelligent, successful, supportive spouse. And, I give her all the credit and thanks in the world for enabling me to make my dream come true. It took a few months to get everything up-and-running from scratch…The L.L.C. formed, website, logo/marketing developed, contracts/framework/etc. all set up. There have been incredible highs…and, painful/educational lows. I have been burned by at least one candidate accepting a position, giving notice, and then backing out after receiving a counteroffer. Humans can do unexpected things at times. Candidate “control” is often a misnomer. I have literally placed a check received from a client for a retained search in front of my computer screen for motivation. Staring at it for hours/weeks on end during a search. Knowing I would have to shred it before cashing in case something weird happened with the search. Only to have it happen. Ever shred a five-figure check? It is interesting, for sure. And, I never saw the Covid19-curve-ball coming. But in reality, who did?
Without giving exact figures to my competition…To date, I have submitted 350+ candidates to active job orders. I have filled dozens of corporate executive and television station management openings within the top media groups with a less than fifty days-to-offer average. I filled a VP of Broadcast Sales in less than three weeks while submitting ten outstanding candidates within three days. I have filled 80%+ of received job orders, a percentage simply unheard of within the staffing/recruiting industry. My last five placements have been conducted within a fully virtual recruiting process. The client never met my candidate face-to-face. For senior-level positions. I never thought I would see this happen during my career.
There have been many 18+ hour days. And, many God-given flexible days to spend time with family. My company. My way. To an outside online observer, starting/running your own business may seem easy over social media where everything is perfect. I assure you it is not. “Luck” is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. I was blessed with the foresight/luck/hard work of creating a candidate database with 30-years of experience in the making. Tens of thousands of tracked candidates. Arguably, the most in the media industry.
I would personally like to thank Radu Somesfalean, who created the Carver Talent website and assisted with marketing. He is a top-notch talent whom I highly recommend. I would like to also thank all of my clients. Your business, the relationships, and putting your trust into allowing me to fill your critical recruiting needs is humbling. I would like to thank the thousands of candidates who reach out. I honestly wish I could place more of you. A special thanks to Jamie Bianchi, who helped me start Carver Talent at its infancy while also juggling the full-time duties with her family. And as previously mentioned, I would like to thank my wife. Your support and understanding will never be taken for granted.
What have I learned? Running a start-up during a global pandemic is interesting. But, doable. Nothing comes easily. Stay humble. Work hard. Never burn a bridge in the media industry. Or, any industry for that matter. Make it all about the candidates and what they want to do, where they want to do it, and for how much money they want to make. Treat a CEO candidate the same as you would an entry-level sales Account Executive candidate. Give honest/direct feedback. Connect with everyone. Treat everyone as a human. Social media is powerful. Listen to your clients. Partner with them. Be a resource, not a nuisance. Be kind. Be professional. Have a passion for connecting great people with great opportunities. Do not get too high on the highs…Or, too low on the lows. Activity, kindness, empathy, and professionalism cures all.
About the Author:
Ty Carver has over 30 years of recruiting, HR management, sales, and leadership experience…including the last 10 specific to the broadcast media industry. He is the Founder/CEO of Carver Talent, a local broadcast media management recruiting firm. As the former Director of Recruiting for Raycom Media, he has deep industry relationships. Have a media corporate executive or television station management recruiting need? Contact [email protected] for more information.