In the pursuit of excellence, businesses have never been more aware of the importance of people. With the right people, excellence is attainable; without them, failure may be inevitable. Given these stakes, it's clear that hiring decisions are some of the most important decisions managers are called upon to make, and some of the most difficult.

We firmly believe that if we are to provide useful counsel in these matters, it must be influenced by the highest degree of professionalism.

Professionalism requires that our goal must not be just to "fill" a position, but to create a great match, where both client and candidate can enjoy the fullest return on the investment they make in each other, and true excellence can be attained. Julie Depoian, our CEO since 1984, explains it this way:

    "I've seen what happens when client and candidate are well matched. I've seen the joy, the energy that is released when people are doing work that is needed, and doing it well. That's why I am in this business"

Clients and candidates don't make good and lasting decisions, and great placements don't happen, unless both client and candidate are well informed. That's why we believe that complete candor, with both client and candidate, is essential in what we do. And it's why we would rather lose a placement than sacrifice the trust our clients and candidates place in us. As Frances Pastor who founded our agency back in 1973, puts it:

    "I've been training employment counselors for over 25 years, and I tell them up front that if we're selling anything, it's integrity. I will tolerate a lot of things, but not a lack of integrity. It doesn't make for good business. It doesn't make for good living".

We're not a division, or a branch, or a subsidiary. We are a free-standing, owner-operated agency, and we attribute much of our success to this. According to Frances Pastor, our founder and owner:

    "I don't think this business can be run from a distance. What is essential is an owner who is active in the business on a full-time basis, who coordinates our searches, and who makes sure that we keep sight of our true goal, which is making great placements not just making commissions.

Or as Julie Depoian, our CEO and co-owner, puts it:

    "Clearly,the trend today is towards consolidation, towards bigger is better. But at least in our business, I think that there are great advantages to an owner-operated format, in terms of continuity, flexibility and responsiveness. And I think it makes a real difference in the quality of service we're able to provide."    

© 2000 Jason Best Agency