What's in a CV?

In Western countries where individual results -by opposition to Japan's job for life and promotion through seniority (and it's whole different debate) - tend to be highly praised, a CV that shows strong achievements such as

• Increased yearly profit by 18%
• Directly contributed to USD 19 Million sales
• Managed line of 28 employees, raising profit to USD 7.2 M

will catch, with reason, the interest of a recruiter...

When the economic situation is good, it is very difficult to sink a company right away. The bad manager still will have some leeway, understanding, and trust (from the top) before any real damage can be felt.

While indeed profits may rise, one shouldn't be oblivious to the quality of said profits and sales: Has your manager placed his sales in strategic sectors? Is he taking the proper initiatives? Has he paved the way for future growth, are the employees being empowered to bring more ideas, business? Is morale high? Or he is just cashing in on quick wins while developing his network before moving on to his next important position?

When the economic situation is bad and everybody is "supposed" to be suffering, the bad manager's strategy will be probably to do a minimum so as not to threaten his position by taking bold moves (than he cannot actually conceive) and keep his seat for as long as the show will let him run.

How many so-called "managers" are moving around from one prestigious company to another every two-three years showing impressive result while invariably erroding company effectiveness wherever they go? How many are leaving behind them ill prepared department and companies? Their deeds did not have to be obvious and create havoc, their actions just prevented their company from positioning themselves better on the market. More than often they are also praised for bringing in money! But as we said, what is the quality of this money?...

So, this is the type of managers you are likely to recruit for your company one day or another. You will offer them a ready made springboard for their next assignement, at the cost of your company's integrity and growth. Sadly enough, most of them will make you feel happy about it before they move on to their next position. Do you get along with this situation? Will you let your company be vampirized? Do you believe this is a necessary evil one has to live with?

Recruiting has never been an easy task, but ultimately what goes around will come around, and this remains at any stage your own decision. Tough call.

(On a more joyous note, if you are the bad manager we have been talking about, you are probably not reading these lines as you are enjoying the comfort of a cosy armchair, drinking a smooth 20 years old whisky, in the lounge, with another important executive!... )