Once upon a time, head hunters were no more than common cannibals. Some people still view them that way, but executive recruiters are a vital link in a chain that keeps major enterprises functioning well.

The top positions at any organization dictate fortunes of company, shareholders and employees ... and often communities in which they are located. A good executive head hunter can ensure that new company executives have skills required for position and challenges ahead. He can also ensure that right executive is chosen, one whose style will flourish in specific environment of that company.

However, modern executive recruiters face challenges to be effective. I caught up with Esther Barzel, co-owner of Online Recruiter Directory ( http://www.onlinerecruitersdirectory.com ).

Q: What are main challenges of executive head hunters in today's business climate?

A: To start with, geographic net has become much wider. A head hunter in , say, New York City or Toronto, can no longer rely on finding right candidate right in town. In fact, ideal candidate might be just minutes away by Internet, but he might be located in another country or even on another continent. We are looking at a new breed of executive recruiter.

Q: The Internet should make his job easier, right?

A: Yes...and no. He has to post requirements in more places and sift through more potential candidates to find jewel he seeks. So his workload has actually increased.

Q: Plus, I presume, he still faces challenges of yesteryear?

Are You Lying to Yourself About Your Job Search Goals?

It is hard to honestly define a job goal for oneself. An honest decision must come from a person's values, sense of self and vigorous self analysis. If that is not done, then person is only pretending to seek a satisfying job goal.

Pretending and lying are twins and cloud pursuit of a sincere life and career.