Eastern IA Farmer_Fall23_SOUTH

AG CAREERS
in companies all over the country, including
for many located in Iowa in counties including
Scott and Clinton.
“I work with clients that need employees.
They hire me to find the ideal candidates.
What I really do is find the person with the
right skill set,” Andersen said of her business,
ExecutiveAg Recruiting.
If a company is looking for a seed
salesperson, she can help. If an industry
association is searching for a new executive
director, she’s got some leads. If a cow/
calf operation needs a herdsman, she knows
where to look. Ag engineers, equipment
operators, agronomists, marketing executives
– the list goes on.
“There are so many positions in the agriculture
field that are beyond the traditional
roles,” she said. And connecting employers
with employees is like fitting together the
pieces of a jigsaw puzzle.
She keeps a sharp focus on data, creating
and maintaining detailed spreadsheets on
each client and potential employee. And
she constantly works the phone, email and
other communication methods to cultivate
Bonnie’s advice on what
makes an “A” job candidate:
• Get a degree
if you feel it
benefits you and
your career goals
• Network
• Work hard
• Treat people with
kindness and
respect
• Get along well
with others
• Solve problems
on the job
• Be open to
opportunities
• Don’t be afraid
to take on
a position
that seems
challenging
• Realize there’s no
perfect job
new clients and build her base of possible
employees.
“What I really do is network. It builds
over the years,” she said. She has many
tools at her disposal, particularly with online
options and video calls. She uses websites,
LinkedIn, industry contacts, and more
to mine potential employees. Sometimes
she’ll cold call. She works her connections.
“I know people, who know people, who
know people,” she said.
As her contacts constantly expand, keeping
data organized is important.
From the window in the room where she
works, Andersen can look out at the herd of
goats and cattle she raises on the farm she
shares with her husband, Eric Andersen. On
the desk in front of her is an array of computer
screens that display the sophisticated
system she uses to keep her files on clients
and potential employees.
But perhaps most important in her work
are good old-fashioned communication
skills – the ability to connect with people in
person, by phone, by email and virtually.
She’s been in the profession since 1998
after getting her start in the ag industry in
dairy promotion and public relations after
graduating from Iowa State University with
a degree in dairy science and public service
and administration in agriculture. It was
after a stint with the Iowa Cattleman’s Association
and Monsanto that she by chance
Let’s get
to work...
together
At Padgett, you’ll find more than a tax
preparer or accountant - you’ll find a true
partner and advisor. As business owners
ourselves, we know the ins and outs of
what it takes to succeed.
We can help you with:
Business & Individual Advisory •
Business & Individual Tax •
Preparation & Planning •
Accounting •
Payroll •
DEWITT | CLINTON | MOLINE | DAVENPORT | ELDRIDGE
STOP BY AND SEE US AT OUR NEW LOCATION: 107 E. QUARRY ST., MAQUOKETA
Pictured left to right: Kelsey
Dodds; Roxanna James; Micaela
Kemp; Brandon Voss, MBA;
John Franzen, EA;
Brianna Boer, CPA;
Michael Voss, EA; and
Dennis Voss, CPA
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