Profile

I’m responsible for the complete hiring process for our company.  In a given year, we hire well over 1500 people in all parts of the country.  I manage a team of 7 people.  I ensure we hire qualified employees in a very quick timeframe.  I work with managers to understand the type of employee that is required to be hired and then utilize several different resources to get that employee hired.  On average we fill and complete every position in 4 weeks.

I work in an office in a nice corporate office building.

Hiring managers, directors, directors from various job boards, senior management, etc.

I’m answering recruiter’s questions, dealing with unhappy managers if there is an issue, attending planning meetings for client launches, etc.  I spend 95% of my time coaching my employees or working with other managers in the company.  I also have to do reporting every week on our hiring statistics.  If there are executive positions to be hired, I will personally handle those positions and interview and find qualified people.

People skills – you have to like people.  To be a successful recruiter, you are constantly talking to people and you have to be able to understand people, interview and assess whether they are qualified.  You also have to educate them about the position and the company and sell them on the organization or position.

You have to have very good organizational skills and have the ability to multi-task with good computer skills.  To be in a leadership position you have to have the personality to be a leader and a driver, vs. an individual contributor. 

I’m pretty much “on call” all the time.  Our pace is intense and I’m pretty much available 24 x 7 on my blackberry, including vacations.  It is not a typical 5 days/week or 8-5 job.  In peak periods, we often have to recruit on the weekends as well.  I average approximately 50-60 hours/week.

Yes – occasionally 20% of the time.

I love helping people find careers.  I love working with different types of people.  I love the pace and high energy level.  I like helping people find jobs, especially in a tough market.   I also enjoy coaching my team and helping them find people.

The stress that comes along with clients changing their minds.  When changes happen, we often lose good people that we have lined up.  Occasionally, the stress and constant pressure can be tiresome as well.

My team inspires me and seeing the success of my team.  My kids also inspire you.

My dad was a huge influence.  He helped me realize that I wanted to have a career.  He pushed me to do more.  I came from a very small town in Wyoming where the majority of girls married young and stayed at home.  

I also had a former boss who was a single mom and a great example to me.  She believed in me and always encouraged me.  She was a great example so I could see that I could be successful as a single mom as well. 

Believe in yourself and never give up.  Life’s tough but its what you make of it.

At the time back in the 80’s I worked at a bank and my boss told me you don’t have to have a degree – it is not going to make a difference.

Keep all your options open. Education is huge.  Don’t compromise. 

Always get your degree.

Never give up on your dreams.  Keep in mind what you want to do and shoot for those dreams.  You can do more than be a stay-at-home mom if you want.

Complete my degree. I went to a business college but didn’t finish.  I’m lucky enough to have been able to build a successful career without it.   Some day I may go back and finish.

Chase my kids around to their activities. Camping. I’m starting cycling.  

My family is my passion.  I’m a single mom and dedicated to my two boys. 

I’ve been lucky enough to find a company that realizes family is important.  They are very flexible and allow me to deal with family issues when I need to.  As a single mom, sometimes its tough to juggle all the issues that come up when cars break down, etc. but you have to figure it out and my company is very supportive. 

I got married at 19 and had my first child at 21.  I worked as a secretary.  I later divorced. Because I was in the workforce, I had options and knew I could support myself.  The company I worked for was rapidly growing.  I worked hard and proved myself and was given opportunities as a recruiter.  I found I was really good at it and I really enjoyed it.

The biggest one is being a single parent and juggling kids and work.  Also it took me a long time to build my professional credibility thru the years.  It took me a long time for people to take me seriously and for them to see I had more potential and growth.