Keiko Hirose, a producer in Tokyo, told how she deftly handled getting two job offers. Unlike the system administrator I wrote about last month, Keiko handled the situation perfectly.

She was offered a job as a producer at company A run by a former co-worker.

She had a very good first day at company A, followed by a welcome dinner with the team, and was quite happy except for a slight concern about an email from company B requesting an urgent meeting. The next day, she visited company B, and the president who she had known for more than 10 years asked her to join the project as line producer.

"Oh, my gosh. Why didn't they tell me one day earlier? I had just made a commitment to company A. The president of company B mentioned this project several times to me and I knew it was a big deal for him and his company."

When she told the president of company A about the project at company B, he said, "Well, it sounds like it's a big project that you have been following. Why don't you do this project and come back to my company after you finish." Keiko writes: "Wow. He is very generous to offer that to me, amazing! I was very happy, relieved, to be able to have this kind of amazing arrangement, thanks to company A's president.I think the key to a successful arrangement is to be honest.  Honesty and sincerity were the key."

Keiko is right: Honesty and sincerity are keys to maintaining a great reputation.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson has recruited for companies all over the world and recognizes how small the world really is and how important it is to maintain an impeccable reputation. You can reach her for speaking engagements, recruiting or personal career coaching at PamRecruit@q.com. Plan to attend the Creative Talent Network Animation Expo Nov. 20-22 at the Burbank Convention Center in Burbank, California. Visit www.ctnanimationexpo.com. Register for a one or three-day General/Professional Passport and enter PTHOMX09 to receive a 10% discount.