Mr. Meissner convinced him to piece together his own company. He launched a public-relations campaign on Mr. Maslin's behalf to burnish the executive's image as a leader rather than as a subordinate and introduced him to potential investors, management talent and even acquisition targets. And I wouldn't have gotten it done as fast as we have. They plot career strategy, help build networks of business contacts, advise on salary talks and shape their clients' images. They also screen job opportunities for employed clients.
Most agents work for a percentage of their client's salary.
Well-known CEOs are candidates. So are senior executives on the CEO fast track, rainmaking attorneys and consultants, cutting-edge technology wizards and successful turnaround artists. Mr. Maslin, for example, hadn't conducted a job search in 30 years, and with few contacts in the equity world, he hadn't seriously considered an entrepreneurial venture. Mr. Meissner provided expertise, contacts and a vision for Mr. Maslin's future. In some ways, executive agents operate from the shadows.