Midwest - Don't know where you have been applying, but I have rarely submitted an application that I haven't heard back from the company, even Dyn Corp as large as they are. Of course, I am not working the security end of the business which might limit the number of applications.

Gavin De Becker is a relative small company in southern California and I have seen them around for years at various conferences and seminars. They don't get thousands of applications. I know what my problem was, not under qualified, but overqualified. It was a local management level job and I applied to get a better look at the position as an option to going overseas again.

With a major in Organizational Development, I have a pretty good grasp on evaluating companies, diagnosing problems and developing interventions. As such, I understand the difference between a good organization, a mediocre one and one that just get's by. De Becker falls into the Mediocre category.

Thanks for the input and suggestions. I learn something new every time I read one of these posts. Well, let me rephrase that, "almost every time I read one of the posts." Best wishes to all.

Im generally not the guy doing the applying.. Im generally the guy doing the hiring..

Ive hired well over a thousand people into the industry for a variety of companys over about a fifteen year period of time.. with jobs ranging from low profile EP work to PSD and static operations in conflict zones.. and pretty much everything in between..

What you are recieving in response from most companies in the security industry is an auto generated email.. rarely are you actually hearing back from an individual with a personal response..

GBD is a small company by comparrison to Dyn.. no doubt..

but they are significantly large in their niche market.. they maintain a database of tens of thousands of applicants.. and have extensive operations not only in SoCal, but also on the east coast.. and have both full time details and fill in work throughout the US..

Their director for East Coast Operations is a personal friend of mine.. I worked very closely with him when I ran the Protective Services Unit for the World Bank.. (I know the company well..)..

Every time they post an opening they take in hundreds of resumes.. every time they run an academy.. it completely fills..

there is a reason GDB has been highly successful, and incredibly profitable for the better part of 20 years..

like them or hate them.. they are hardly a mediorce organization.. they are a well established brand with nationwide presence in heir niche.. and they have developed innovative products that have made them sought after as providers of high level services to the US federal government (specifically the federal law enforcement community)..

those are pretty far reaching accomplishments for a company that intentionally fills a small, niche area within the security industry..

Ive been in the industry for better than 20 years now.. and I cant think of 10 companies in the US that have similar credentials or that can actively compete with them in thier niche at the national level..

a major in Organizational Development doesnt make you an expert in diagnosing problems... any more than my PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, ISO 9000:2008 Auditor, or my 2/3 completed MBA make me one.. That is merely education..

tell me you have worked in the field of Organizational Development for 10 years.. and Ill buy into having a good grasp on evaluating companies for their capabilities..

not recieving a reply to a single attempt to contact them about a job opportunity hardly gives insight to a companys inner working or the organizational structure either..

Ive worked at the senior management and executive levels at 2 two firms that provide global security services, worked at the director level for a multi-billion dollar international agency, and have worked in security operations or other related industries since the late 1980's..

If you think GDB is mediorce.. i encourage you to take a closer look at the rest of the industry and re-evaluate..

(Dyn BTW has had a terrible reputation for the way their HR department has handled recruiting and placement for as long as I can remember.. they are known on the security side of the house for treating applicants like doritoes (we'll make more...).. their reputation waxes and wanes every couple of years.. but they are hardly considered to be among the industries finest when it comes to communication, rapid responses, or even honesty/integrety when it comes to recruiting.. )

and no.. I dont work for GBD.. have never worked for GDB.. and have no intention of going to work for GDB.. they didnt pay me for the endorsement

Dave,

Ed sends his regards.

mdwest is spot on, as usual. GDB is a major player in the civilian EP sector, and has been for over 2 decades. His client list reads like an "A" list awards ceremony invitation list...and that is not including government officials they have covered, including the renowned Govenor of California.

Iraqtrainer2...matching wits or known information with mdwest is never smart. I know. BTDT. His knowledge of the business is second to none.

Best you take a lesson from a man who knows...

Oldsoldier, point well taken and I am getting the message and will shut up on this one. Thanks.