I recently celebrated my 10-year work anniversary in Recruitment!

When I graduated college, I landed an opportunity as an Analyst with a great organization. After being there for one year, I realized that I did not feel fulfilled. I felt there was a bigger impact I could make; that is what lead me to begin my job search and eventually find a career in staffing & recruitment.

My first year as a recruiter was HARD. I had a lot of professional gaps and needed more development than what I thought. I am extremely grateful to have met individuals who saw my potential and took the time to guide, develop and give me consistent feedback.

From day one I realized recruiting was my passion. I get to help people find jobs. I get to help companies find the best talent for their projects, but most importantly I get to make a TRUE impact in my community. The money is also very nice 😊 Over the past 10 years I’ve had the opportunity to hire, lead and develop teams, there is a unique feeling when you see a new recruiter grow & love recruitment the way that I do!

As I reflect on my ten-year journey, I wanted to some key lessons in recruitment that changed the course of my professional journey:

1. Self-development is key!  No one graduates college with the goal of becoming a recruiter in staffing (no one that I know at least). It is likely that you have zero experience in recruitment or the industry you support. Self-development is the 'secret sauce' between a good recruiter and a GREAT recruiter.  Invest time (in-and-out of the office) to master your craft.
2. Hard work beats talent Recruitment in staffing is all about hard work and speed.
3. Relationships Matter! Get to know your peers, managers, directors/VP Get to know your consultants and clients.
4. Grit Never forget what brought you here and the end goal. As a recruiter in staffing, you have the opportunity to change people’s lives, but people can also be extremely unreliable. They are many uncontrollable factors. Grit and perseverance are a MUST HAVE!
5. Do not take things personal Learning how to compartmentalize situations was one of the toughest lessons I’ve had to learn. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?” focus on “what am I meant to learn from this?”
6. Surround yourself with the right people. Winners want to be around other winners to push them.
7. Recruitment in staffing is a career not a job. Be ‘in it’ for the right reasons (passion for helping people/companies and making money). This is not a 9-5 job the more time you invest early on the more rewards you will see in the future.
8. Ditch the imposter syndrome.
9. You will fail. You will under-perform. You will miss a deadline How you respond matters!
10. Words Matter! Your response to circumstances and people will make the world of a difference.

To my girlies and lady-bosses Take up space. Be loud. Close deals. You belong.

Cheers to ten years and to many more recruiting/staffing years to come!

Special shoutout to some incredible leaders and advocates that marked my journey in more ways than they can imagine.

Chris De Angelis for giving the South Bronx, Dominican girl that was late to her interview a chance :)

Justin Woods Christopher Pacchiana Dave Poling Michael Allen Chris Bellamy Stuart Ferguson For the development, believe, trust, advocacy and must needed push.

Lauren DeMarco-Stadtlander Katie Heffernan Ashley Gorazda For being everything the girlies need and more!