ExecuNet

Logo_EuN.gif

ExecuNet (http://www.execunet.com) is an executive career, business and recruiting network that provides access to exclusive business connections, confidential six-figure job listings, expert advice and proprietary research. Additionally, ExecuNet helps corporate and search firm recruiters find qualified executive candidates.

Startup: Executive Networking Emphasis

Dave Opton, a Human Resources executive who found himself "in transition" after the company he was working for was acquired, founded ExecuNet in 1988. Starting with his Rolodex and a philosophy of "give first and results will follow," he turned the company into an executive network comprising tens of thousands of senior-level executives, executive recruiters, companies, career experts, executive coaches, and others that "come together in confidence and with confidence" – both online and off. Opton continues to serve as CEO.

In 1995, ExecuNet helped transform the executive recruiting industry by launching the first website designed to bring senior-level professionals and search firms together in a cooperative, confidential environment. The site’s job listings remain either exclusive or not widely available and its content archive contains close to 1,000 original articles, reports, and guides. As an example, Dealing With Your Digital Dirt, a guide written by senior editor Robyn Greenspan, pioneered the issue of online reputation management in the executive marketplace.

ExecuNet Today

Today, Opton describes ExecuNet first as a community of executives that provides access to key business connections, second as a set of tools to effectively access and leverage executive job markets, and third as a comprehensive knowledge resource targeted to effective executive career management.

The ExecuNet "community of executives" is enabled via a bulletin board forum, listserv-based special interest groups, and a searchable directory that enables members to contact one another directly, Online webinars (both live and recorded) cover topics of interest to executives at work and those in transition. Additionally, ExecuNet hosts monthly local networking meetings across the United States and in Canada.

ExecuNet publications provide proven job search strategies, suggestions for advancement and feedback from members with "learnings" from their successful landings. They include the CareerSmart Advisor print newsletter, biweekly Executive Insider and RecruitSmart Insider enewsletters, and a weekly Member Bulletin enewsletter. ExecuNet’s annual Executive Job Market Intelligence Report (EJMIR) contains exclusive data gathered from surveys of the membership. The report is widely quoted by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and other major media. In 2005, ExecuNet’s Opton added a topical blog called Six Figure Learnings (http://www.execunet.com/davesblog).

The recruiter side of the site assists corporate and search firm recruiters in their search for qualified executive candidates. Recruiting members can search the executive resume database, access the member network, attend webinars, receive market trend analyses and receive compensation and competitive research reports.

ExecuNet is based in Norwalk, Connecticut and has been featured in BusinessWeek, Fortune, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and other national media. The site consistently receives the highly regarded Weddles Users Choice Award–selected by job seekers and recruiters: http://www.weddles.com/awards/index.htm

Topical Pages

References