Excerpts from interview with RANDALL CLARK:

What advice do you have for hiring managers?  Really two things.  First, be careful when hiring someone else’s “A” player.  Seldom have I seen an “A” player continue to be an A player in his or her new environment.  Second, focus on building a pipeline of talent.  Project out your needs for 6 months or so and begin now.

Any advice for candidates?  Have a career plan.  Don’t just drift with the wind or conform to the merger of the month.  Work with your existing employer to make your career plan take shape.  If it is not going to happen with your current employer, you must begin to expand your network.

When did you join BankersforHire.com and what did you do before joining the firm?  Prior to BankersforHire.com, I spent the past 20+ years working for small and large banks in Texas, Florida and Georgia.  I founded the company in 2001, because as a hiring manager I personally experienced how hard is to run a bank or division and recruit top talent at the same time.  Furthermore, I found there was a real need for someone who understood banking and had the relationships, in order to be in a position to recruit top bankers.  

I know the firm’s niche is banking; however, does the firm concentrate on any specific type of position or geography?  Our contacts are up and down the East coast.  I expect our network will continue to move West.  Outside of geography, we really add value for banks where we can partner and become an extension of their bank – i.e. an outsourced recruiting dept.   

When you are not working what do you do for fun?  I have a 3 children who keep me on my toes.  Out side of spending time with my family, I’m a pretty competitive ALTA player and my wife, children and I all volunteer a lot with our church.