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"The combination of T.J.'s business acumen, career/life counseling, and long-term vision are invaluable in this economic climate. T.J. is the type of teacher, advisor, and business partner that every business professional needs." M.S. Director of Operations and Finance — Industrial Manufacturing

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"I have been very impressed with the professionalism and expertise of Centennial, in the way they listen to their clients needs and have the ability to find the type of talent my organization is seeking. I have rarely come across talent searchers that genuinely want to understand the needs of the clients through a series of well prepared questions and can convert that into win-win results. Mike Jr. is enjoyable and sociable individual and I would not think twice about asking Mike and his firm to do more searches for us." R.C. Vice President of Sales — Consumer Package Goods

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"It's really simple...Trust, Integrity and Expertise. Whenever there is a recruiting, search, talent or business adviser needed, I personally turn to Mike at Centennial because I trust him, he is a man of integrity and has exceptional expertise." D.D. President — Marketing Communications

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"From the initial contact throughout the entire process, Centennial was top-notch in identifying our needs and then meeting them. The process and interactions were consistently positive, professional and enjoyable. Consequently, the next search assignment will begin with Mike & Centennial." D.B. Human Resources Director — Consumer Package Goods

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"As Vice President of Supply Chain, I have had the pleasure of working with Mike Sipple Jr. on several assignments that required professionalism, compassion, and confidentiality. Mike and team have exceeded our expectations in all categories. Mike has proven to be a great resource and partner when called on for general questions regarding topics related to human resource trends." M.L. Vice President of Supply Chain — Distribution

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"Mike is a detailed professional recruiter and talent coach. Mike communicates clearly and timely, and maintains a high degree of patience with his clients as they identify the right candidate for the position to be filled. Mike maintains a high level of ethics and professionalism." D.C. President — Industrial Manufacturing

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"I've worked with Mike in several capacities, most recently when he recruited me into a new marketing management position at my current company. Very professional, open, and helpful; good sounding-board. I highly recommend him. Additionally, I've had a mutually beneficial professional relationship with Centennial (not as an employee) for nearly 15 years." B.P. Marketing Manager — Transportation Services

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"Centennial's genuine interest in both candidate and employer, and ensuring a good match between them shines through. It does not end with job placement. Three years later, Mike Sipple Jr. and the team still display an active interest in my career and personal growth. I regard the Centennial team as friends and partners." B.D. Director Corporate Services — Global Communications

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"Centennial has always impressed us as a creative hard working partner of clients AND as an organization of impeccable character. It is rare for one to work w/ persons who have a level of conscientious and humble attitude AND gifted talent for their profession. I would trust the Team @ Centennial with any aspect of my business or life as well as hire their organization for any mission critical talent acquisition issue or opportunity." M.F. Chief Executive Officer — Corporate Consulting

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"I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your guidance and leadership throughout my career transition. I admit I was apprehensive when first introduced to the idea of using a career coach, but after our first session I knew that I had made the right decision. I needed a person that could give me direction, coaching and accountability, but most of all needed to know that someone was on my side. I not only accomplished my goal of a career in a new field, I also feel that I gained a friend."

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"I would recommend to anyone who is struggling in their job campaign to enlist the help of you and your associates. You are very knowledgeable and up-to-date about the job market; you are professional, yet personable; and you are patient and understanding towards the frustrations we deal with as job seekers. If I had to do it over again, I would have called you sooner…much sooner!"

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"The challenge you helped me most with involved showing myself in the broadest terms possible. As a professional pilot and manager of aviation operations, I had difficulty communicating the breadth of my experience and allowing others to see me in a way that would be valuable to their organizations. Once you identified my strengths and experience in information technology, team leadership, process improvement and training, a whole world of opportunities emerged. Your coaching during the offer/negotiation process enabled me to leverage this opportunity to maximum financial compensation."

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"The point you make of networking to find the unadvertised positions is right on track. Developing a target list of companies and than utilizing a methodical approach to network into these organizations really works. I will always be grateful for your assistance and could not have succeeded without it."

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"This letter is to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to Mike Lynch for his tremendous contribution to the success of my campaign. His dedication, professionalism, knowledge, and encouragement were a constant source of positive reinforcement, which always managed to keep me focused on the objective. Mike’s logical approach to career search challenges and friendly, professional coaching enabled me to establish a solid foundation of incremental successes on which to build. It was these successes that validated the effectiveness of Mike’s methods and served as the motivating force in my campaign. This week I accepted a new management level position in a completely unrelated industry, with a salary increase of nearly 25%. Thank you Mike!"

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"I want to take a few moments to thank you for your assistance in my job campaign. It is like a jungle out there, and, fortunately, you were my guide. I soon realized that working hard in your career search does not always mean quick and definite results. It depends on what you know about today’s job market and of the proven tactics that will make a difference. That’s where you came in, Mike. The tools you gave me made the difference."

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Mike Sipple, Sr.

Mike Sipple, Sr.  President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What are the top three challenges facing leaders today?
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Mike Sipple, Sr.

Mike Sipple, Sr.  President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What's next after we get good candidates in the door?
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Mike Sipple, Sr.

Mike Sipple, Sr.  President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How do we attract the best talent that will be successful in our company?
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Mike Sipple, Sr.

Mike Sipple, Sr.  President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What should be included in a job requisition to ensure that we get highly qualified applicants?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What are the top three challenges facing leaders today?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What's the best way to find the "needle in the haystack" when we get hundreds of resumes for every job posting?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can we ensure we're spending time with the "right" candidates?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can companies benefit from partnering with us, even with internal corporate recruiters?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What are the top three challenges facing leaders today?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: As a job seeker, how can I differentiate from the masses?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can we attract people who will be successful in our company?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: When evaluating multiple job offers, how can I decipher which is the best one for me?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What should be included in a job requisition to get highly qualified candidates?
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T.J.Bugg

T.J. Bugg
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: Should a job description double as the job requisition?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What are the top three challenges facing leaders today?
View his answer >

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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can we find the "best" people for our company?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can we encourage "A" talent to choose our company?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: Should we try to hire talent on our own before engaging a recruitment firm?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: Why should you partner with a recruitment firm if you have in-house recruiting?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: As a job seeker, how can I differentiate myself from the masses?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can I be enthusiastic in my job search without appearing desperate?
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Mike Sipple, Jr.

Mike Sipple, Jr.
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: How can a Career Coach help me in my transition?
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Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: As a job seeker, how can I stand out from the crowd?
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Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: Networking. Everyone is doing it. Do you know how to be strategic about it?
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Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: What are some effective resume tips that will help get me noticed?
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Mike Lynch

Mike Lynch
Vice President
Centennial, Inc.

Q: When evaluating multiple job offers, how can I decipher which is the best choice for me?
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Career Management Resources

New Job Assimilation

New job assimilation is often the biggest culprit in the failure of a new employee. Clearly, new employees don't take a new position intending to fail. Yet, according to search firm professionals in ExecuNet’s annual survey, nearly 16% of executives fail in their first year on the job. Nearly 40% won't make it past the first 18 months!

Great emphasis has been placed on performance management and reward systems, and employers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in recruitment efforts. However, it is the thoroughness of the assimilation process that ultimately determines whether a new hire succeeds or fails.

So what can you do to give yourself the best chance of succeeding in a new role? It is important to realize that assimilation is a two-way process. Successful new hires take ownership of and responsibility for their assimilation into a new company and don’t merely leave it in the employer’s hands. Here are some things to consider…

Focus on relationships

Critical to assimilation are the relationships developed at the beginning of your tenure. Look to build relationships inside and outside the company, and to develop coaches, mentors, and confidants. These individuals will have an interest in you and a vested interest in your success.

Joining a new organization should be an enriching experience – you have the opportunity to start afresh and avoid past mistakes. As part of your assimilation, demonstrate that you are trustworthy. If you say you’ll do something, do it. Volunteer to get involved and help others. Recognize other people’s efforts. Don’t self promote, but keep people appropriately informed of your activity. Be a receptive listener, willing to accept feedback.

Rather than worrying about what you're going to say, focus on what others are saying. When your attention is on something or someone other than yourself, your self-consciousness will disappear and others will be more likely to remember and appreciate you.

Good conversationalists know the importance of listening. It conveys a natural interest in others and enables you to be more aware of what to say to keep the conversation and information flowing.

Pay attention as people introduce themselves. Addressing them by name during the current conversation will increase your chances of remembering their name at a later date.

Have a plan

Develop a plan to map your assimilation and progress toward targets. Identify thirty-, sixty-, and ninety-day plans. Plan to learn. Study the company history and learn the business. Get to know the market and your competition and link this knowledge to your role and responsibilities. Measure your progress against your plan and ask others for feedback.

It is important to realize, although your first 90 days will probably be the most formative, assimilation never really stops. Your plan should continue throughout your career.

Assimilating into Your New Position

  • Understand the corporate culture
  • Build alliances and influence others
  • Determine and align expectations
  • Focus on early impact projects

Maintaining Your Career Momentum

  • Continuously survey your professional environment
  • Occasionally redefine your professional objectives
  • Always have a communications strategy
  • Manage your professional reputation

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