True story: I audited myself into headhunting. After a few years of public accounting (including a stint in the Big 4), I felt a strong pull to make a bigger impact, so I did what public accountants do best... I dusted off the hat to "audit" what I loved doing most and where I had natural strengths, with the plan to turn that into a career. I started recruiting at a big firm and quickly saw the underbelly of the cut throat placement business. (It was like a busy restaurant kitchen with Gordon Ramsey yelling at you constantly, except I didn't get a delicious steak afterwards.) The main concern was always: "What did you bill this month?" Instead of: "Who did you help this month?" It was a transactional focus and I didn't like that. (No wonder why recruiters are compared with used car salesmen.. which frankly, is unfair to the skilled used car salesmen, but that's a story for another day.) I heard over and over: Recruiters only care about the money. They don’t listen. Just want to tell me about a “perfect job for you”. I wanted to defend those things, but I couldn't, because I knew it was true. I heard it a lot when I was in public. Very annoying. That was my a-ha moment: What if I could really help people find what they truly want to do and help companies find the key people they need? What if I could do it like a fine-dining restaurant... with intention and quality? Without the fast food, one-size-fits-all mumbo jumbo? That’s how Dover Partners began. I believe that numbers are secondary to treating everyone the way we would treat a friend. I aim to create lifelong relationships with my contacts (and still keep in touch with people from a decade ago) and I think that all talented professionals deserve a great experience that feels like the fine dining of staffing. If you want to try a different approach to finding your next job or hiring a key person, send me an email to dougmorrison@doverps.com or reach me at (508) 242-3099. On a personal note, here are a few things I'm proud of:• My family (that includes our black lab Hunter)• Finally passing the CPA exam (hang in there – you can do it!)• Making Eagle Scout (not just helping old ladies cross the street)• 2x NYC Marathon finisher (One great, one terrible - can't win them all)