An interview with Cheyene Haase, BC/DR executive search professional.

e-GUIDE(): Tell us about today's job market for BC/DR professionals. What are the emerging trends in the industry from a hiring perspective?

Cheyene Haase: The job market has been impacted tremendously over the last three years. Our economy has suffered from the dot.com bust, corporate scandals, and terrorist actions. Shortly after 9/11 professionals were rushing to become business continuity experts because disaster recovery and business continuity was receiving so much recognition. This saturated the BC/DR candidate pool as many experienced BC/DR professionals were being downsized and laid off at the same time.

The good news is that companies are hiring again. What we have found over the last 10 months is that our clients are seeking high level directors who can manage a global enterprise BC/DR program. They are seeking candidates with a blended background in both technology and business. Soft skills (presentation, written and verbal communication skills, and the ability to make a business case) are in high demand. Corporations are realizing that they need more than a standard BC program that sits on the shelf. They need a leader in the industry who can engage all employees within a company from the end user to the CXO level.

Since companies are still recovering from a recession, budgets are still tight. This means that relocation packages are not as frequent and sign-on bonuses are still in the past. Many companies refuse to look at candidates who are not local. Companies are also combining positions due to budgetary constraints. The most common combination we have seen is business continuity and information security .

That is interesting. So how does a BC professional maintain their marketability in today's tough job market?

Haase: I recommend to always be sharpening your skills. Evaluate your credentials and determine what your weaknesses are. Make it a goal to then improve that weakness. If you feel you are a little weak in information technology then take a night class or start reading IT books for self study. If you feel you are light in project management, then become involved in the Project Management Institute (PMI) and look into becoming certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP). If you feel your presentation skills are lacking than take a night class in public speaking. If you want to broaden your information security skills then join a local ISSA (Information Systems Security Association) chapter and look into becoming certified as a CISSP. Continued education is always important. There are several BC/DR classes offered through the DRI International as well as many local colleges.

It is also important to note that companies are seeking experts in the field. They want to hire leaders. I recommend joining a local association and becoming involved with the executive board. Write articles for appropriate BC/DR journals and become a public speaker at the BC/DR conferences and association meetings. I also recommend to become a certified business continuity professional. Certifications from the DRI International are the most recognized by my hiring managers .

What do you see as the top 5 credentials hiring managers are seeking from applicants?

Haase: First and foremost is experience. My hiring managers want real business continuity experts. They want to hire leaders. Secondly companies want BC professionals who have been through actual disasters. Thirdly my hiring managers seek a broad skill set of both business and information technology. Polished soft skills are in demand, meaning superior presentation skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to think outside of the box. Many BC professionals have to present to CXO level executives. My hiring managers do not want to hire professionals who will shake at the knees in a board room. Lastly my hiring managers do prefer candidates with a CBCP certification.

On the flip side, what should professionals avoid during the hiring process?

Haase: Never be negative! Negativity of any kind always raises a red flag. A common mistake in interviewing is not listening to the question. It sounds easy enough, but if you answer the question with a side story tangent than you are not really answering the question. Never make the mistake to answer just to answer. Ask the interviewer to clarify the question if you did not understand. If you do not have that particular experience that the interviewer is referring to in the question then be honest. An interviewer can always tell when you are lying. Another common mistake is not showing interest in the position. If you are interested, let the interviewer know. Thank them for their time and let them know why you feel the position is a good fit with your background. A final point is never to lie on an application or on your resume. Lies typically surface once an offer has been accepted, however, you are not home free yet. Companies are doing their due diligence with full background checks. The most common lies on a resume are work history, education and certifications. Human Resources known the most common lies and they are trained to look for them.

What advice would you give a professional seeking a new position?

Haase: Be thorough in your job search. It is important to network with everyone, such as friends, family, previous work associates and local associations. Partner with respected executive search firms and always review job sites. If you do post your resume on a job site be sure to keep it confidential. I have know too many professionals to have ABC recruiting company download their resume from Monsterboard and then send it to a company a year later without their permission. Make sure to track where your resume goes and try to follow-up with a contact person.

Any other insight you would like to provide? Maybe your insight as to the direction of the business continuity field from a hiring perspective?

Haase: The business continuity job market will continue to grow, prosper and evolve as companies struggle to meet new demands. I see a shift in companies consolidating their business and recovery planning under an enterprise program if it is not already in place. Corporations will also continue to hire professionals who can engage the entire company in the BC/DR enterprise program. The BC/DR field is getting more focus and some companies are making a push to drive this position to a CXO level.

Tell me about BC Management, Inc?

Haase: BC Management, Inc. is an executive search firm that exclusively places business continuity, disaster recovery, information security and emergency management professionals internationally. I founded BC Management, Inc in March of 2000 once I noticed that the field was lacking a dedicated professional search firm, although I have been placing business continuity professionals since 1998. BC Management, Inc. has experienced a great deal of success in building long standing relationships with several top-notch companies. We have been placing BC/DR professionals at all levels from planners to global managers, including sales professionals. BC Management, Inc. is also know for the annual BC/DR salary survey results, which assists hiring managers and human resource professionals in determining the appropriate salary to pay their BC/DR professionals.

Why did you choose Business Continuity as your focus?

Haase: Being a recruiter for over nine years I initially placed professionals in many different careers (accounting, project management, sales, administration and information technology). Once I moved out to southern, CA in 1998 I joined a large executive search firm that had established a retainer contract with Comdisco. Being new to southern, CA they assigned me to assist with the account. Before I knew it I was placing several BC/DR professional consultants nationally as many companies were preparing for Y2K. I was drawn to the BC/DR field because BC/DR professionals all shared a passion for their career

About our Expert

Ms. Cheyene Haase is the founder of BC Management and specializes in placing Business Continuity, Disaster Recovery, Emergency Management, and Information Security professionals worldwide. She has been an executive recruiter for nine years with six of those years specializing in the Business Continuity field. Her career as an executive recruiter began in Madison, Wisconsin shortly after graduating from UW- Madison with a bachelor's degree. She is now based in Newport Beach, CA.

As an executive recruiter, Cheyene has always listened intently to both the company and candidate's needs. She understands that finding the right match is a long-term investment for both parties. In order to make the right match she has always taken that extra time to clearly understand the culture of the company and the career goals of the candidate. This extra effort has created several solid relationships and continued successful placements of candidates with growing companies.

Cheyene Haase has become an integral part of the Business Continuity community. Her company, BC Management, Inc. is the premier placement search firm for business continuity professionals. Her search firm is best known for their annual BC/DR salary survey results. BC Management, Inc. also provides additional career services, including: reviewing professional resumes, providing detailed interview preparations, updating candidates and hiring mangers with monthly newsletters, and advising companies on appropriate salaries.

You can contact Cheyene at chaase@bcmanagement.net or www.bcmanagement.net, telephone (949)260-8453.