1. Presented to the 2010 Iowa Municipal Management Institute Presenter: Heidi J. Voorhees, President Voorhees Associates, LLC

2.  “Fresno Looks to Outsourcing to Solve Budget Shortfall”  “Fairview Park Residents Concerned by Proposed Trash Fee”  “Yuba County Faces $6 - $7 million Budget Deficit”  “Jacksonville Mayor Says Wholesale Layoffs May Be Imminent”

3. “It’s a shot in the dark when you hire someone off the street as a city manager…you don’t know the product,” Comment by a South Lake Tahoe City Council Member 3/4/2010

4.  Barrington – COP  Hanover Park – COP  Streamwood – COP  Itasca – COP  Downers Grove – COP  Glencoe – COP  Wood Dale – COP

5.  Buffalo Grove – Finance Director  Naperville – Finance Director  Niles – Finance Director  Morton Grove – Fire Chief  Wilmette – City Attorney  Northfield – Community Development Director

6.  Less familiar with traditional organizations  Less mindful of organizational structure  More involved in day to day administration of municipal services and problem solving  Addressing media in all areas including police matters

7.  Energy, energy, energy  Leadership  Loyalty  Collaboration with elected officials  Ability to find alternative revenue sources including grants and low interest loans  Economic development experience and results

8.  Lack of energy in the interview is the number one reason candidates are not selected for the job.  Energy trumps experience nearly every time.  “Hunger” for the job is often more naturally displayed by candidates who have not been a manager.

9.  Elected officials respect Managers who display thoughtful, collaborative leadership skills.  Elected officials want Managers who will lead them through the budget crisis, providing alternatives that do not involve tax increases – including consolidation, sharing, privatization and regionalization of services.

10.  Elected officials respect longer tenure in previous positions.  Elected officials want you to be excited about coming to their community.  Elected officials want you to make their community your home – residency issues are more complicated in recent years

11. Today’s manager will be comfortable collaborating with elected officials on:  Policy development  Policy administration  Hiring of key personnel  Budget reductions

12. Elected officials are seeking Managers with skills in seeking alternative revenue sources  Familiarity with federal, state and regional grant and loan programs.  Ability to network with agency personnel and state/federal elected officials to secure funds.  Ability to try new approaches to obtain funds (i.e. roundabouts)

13. Elected officials seek Managers with:  Demonstrable economic development results  The ability to streamline the permitting process  Willingness to make economic development “happen” by working with developers to address their issues

14.  Research the community and the elected officials – listen to Board meetings, visit website, read the budget, comp plan, etc.  Develop a resume and cover letter specific to the community, highlighting experiences and accomplishments relevant to the job you are applying for.  Divide your resume into sections – finance, economic development, capital projects, etc.  Consider an “accomplishments” page

15.  Energy  Eye Contact  Handshake  Appearance  Willingness to relocate  Handouts

16.  One bite at the agreement/contract “apple”  Do not overreach  Consider consequences of haggling over small differences in salary/benefits

17. Contact me if I can be of assistance with your resume or job search: hvoorhees@voorheesassociates.com