Recruiting firm arrives - Westfair Communications

F0509_LAND.pic — Landmark Square in Stamford.

As the economy rebounds, Phoenix-based Stewart, Cooper and Coon Executive Recruiting has brought its services to Stamford.

The company has opened an office at Six Landmark Square inÂ Stamford, bringing a physical presence to town after it said the executive job market has taken off.

“We have seen a huge influx in the amount of resumes coming to us,” said Chuck McConnell, managing director of Stewart, Cooper and Coon.

McConnell said there are an unprecedented number of people in activeÂ search; the company receives 800 executive resumes each week, four times the amount at the start of 2009.

Stewart, Cooper and Coon charges clients up to $18,000 for up to 12 months of services in securing a position paying $175,000 and more. The firm, which has a 97 percent placement rate, continues to work with its clients afterÂ it places them.

“As the economy rebounds, it opens up a lot of opportunities for corporate managers who lost their jobs during the recession,” said McConnell. He said there is also strong competition for employed staff members and executives, dissatisfied with their current situations, seeking better positions elsewhere.

Recent information from the Business CouncilÂ of Fairfield County has shown executive level hiring is gaining as new companies develop.

McConnell said that teleconferencing has extended the recruiting industries reach. Still, having a physical presence in large or central markets like Stamford is still important in the industry.

“For people in search, those new to it and those just getting their feet wet, there’s a lot of frustration,” said McConnell. “When you”™re dealing with life-changing issues in executive positions, you want to be able to sit and talk with your recruiting adviser. Many people are clueless as to how to market themselves.”