A few weeks ago, we spoke about our direct hire division and introduced the first half of LGC’s permanent placement team. If you haven’t read the first part of this employee highlight be sure you check it out so you can meet Sean, Martha, Carson, and Monica.
For the second part, we’re excited to introduce you to the second half of the permanent placement team so you can get to know them a little bit and learn what advice they have for job seekers and businesses who are hiring. Get ready to meet Jenene, Richard, Johnny, Tracy, and Robert.
Meet the Permanent Placement Team | Part 2
Jenene Rutherford
Senior Executive Recruiter | Perm Division
LGC employee since March 29, 2021
What were you doing before you heard about LGC?
“I was a regional manager in the early childhood education industry and had been in that industry for 28 years when I lost my job due to COVID. I contemplated staying in education, but I saw this huge change as an opportunity to make a career shift. Even though I was scared to death as education was the only career I knew, but I found that I was good at recruiting due to my many years of hiring teachers, higher level managers, and in state training roles for both Colorado and Texas.”
Talk briefly about your LGC journey:
“I was hired at the end of March 2021 as an Executive Recruiter and was recently promoted to Senior Executive Recruiter alongside my amazing colleague Martha. I absolutely love working for LGC because I feel valued, like my talents and individuality are seen and challenged in growing professionally as well as personally. I’m encouraged to think outside the box (which is SO ‘me’) and be creative in my approach which is so motivating.
I also am confident that I work for a company that supports a greater cause and works within integrity always, which are also very important to me in relation to my career. My career ambitions are to return to a leadership role (with LGC of course) once I learn what I need to know and get even better at my job. I enjoy that type of challenge and find it fulfilling to support others in growing as I am supported by leadership.”
What past work experience or characteristics do you have that make you successful on the perm team?
“Well, I have always had that “people thing.” And that paired well with my work ethic and passion for helping people, which I think is the right formula for me. I have a couple of decades of experience hiring people, so that of course supports me in my work here at LGC. I also genuinely get excited when my colleagues win! On the Perm Team, we support one another and root for each other’s success, and I absolutely love that!”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for job seekers?
“Be yourself, be consistent and commit to the position for which you are interviewing. Entering a new job is ALWAYS hard at first, but stick with it and challenge yourself to be the best you can be at whatever you do. Choose a job/career that fills not just your wallet but is fulfilling to you personally.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for businesses who are hiring?
“Hire us at LGC! We are committed to the success of our clients as well as our candidates. Our jobs exist to find and vet the right people so our clients can focus on running their business! We exist to support our respective communities, and our work is worth the investment!”
What’s a fun fact or something you want people to know about you?
“I’m genuinely excited to see others succeed, so when you see my cheerleader type emails, they are sincere! Also, I’m obsessed with adding gifs to emails and I will never not do it.”
Richard Zamora
Market Manager/Senior Executive Recruiter | Perm Division
LGC employee since October 5, 2015
What were you doing before you heard about LGC?
“I was working in the medical field behind the scenes before I started to seek a position with growth potential and a future. I was used to hearing all about LGC for a few years, so I decided to go for it and sent in my resume.”
Talk briefly about your LGC journey:
“I was originally hired in the Chicago office as an Assistant Staffing Manager. Within a few months, I was quickly promoted to Staffing Manager and blew everyone’s expectations out of the water! In under 6 months, I was promoted to Branch Manager of the Chicago office. I successfully led a great team to one of Chicago’s highest weekly numbers (at that time).
Then I moved back home to Denver and started off as a Senior Staffing Manager and worked in that position successfully until [LGC’s CEO] George personally called me and offered me a position on the new Perm Team. I happily accepted and was the top biller the following year. Overall, I have billed around $200,000 personally with the Perm Team. I am now an elementary school teacher, but still work part-time for LGC. My first full year as a teacher (2021) and working part-time for LGC – I believe I am the second of third highest biller for the year! And we never know what the future holds.”
What past work experience or characteristics do you have that make you successful on the perm team?
“I believe starting my first job at 14 years old in a customer call center helped give me the experience to become successful. I think my straightforwardness and no-nonsense approach (that’s also still very personable and relatable) helped me become a successful Branch Manager and lead a team. It also helped me with my success in the Perm Team. I am very focused and set goals for myself and my team.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for job seekers?
“Find something you truly enjoy and go for it.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for businesses who are hiring?
“Take time to hire “the one”. You don’t want to hire just anyone because you’re in desperate need of people (everyone is) – take the time to hire that one person that will be there in the long run. This will save time overall for everyone involved.”
What’s a fun fact or something you want people to know about you?
“My biggest love in life (besides my son, husband, and family) is music. I have auditioned for American Idol twice (and made it to the 3rd round), have written hundreds of songs and have met my music idols – Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson.”
Johnny Zhou
Executive Recruiter | Perm Division
LGC employee since August 16, 2021
What were you doing before you heard about LGC?
“I am blessed with two daughters and I had the opportunity to stay at home during their infant/toddler years. I was doing some part-time work on the side but prior to this I was in the property management industry.”
Talk briefly about your LGC journey:
“I started my journey with LGC as an executive recruiter. This was an entirely new industry for me, but I am immediately enjoying the gratification that comes with helping people in finding their next job opportunity.”
What past work experience or characteristics do you have that make you successful on the perm team?
“I come from a heavy customer service and sales background. I’m not selling you an apartment; I’m inviting you to join our lifestyle. As labor and workforce markets continue to evolve, we need proper communication to establish, build, and grow relationships.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for job seekers?
“Be persistent. Keep applying. Acknowledge and have real world expectations, not Linked-In hype. Even an Iron Chef starts out as a line cook. Answer your phones, be on time, and show up for the interview. Know your value and worth. Research the market. Keep communicating.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for businesses who are hiring?
“Please do not low-ball your potential. A happy and productive employee is worth more in the long run then saving yourself a few bucks on the short.”
What’s a fun fact or something you want people to know about you?
“I love Raising Cane’s. I eat it at least 3 times a week!”
Tracey LeBio
Executive Recruiter | Perm Division
LGC employee since September 1, 2004
What were you doing before you heard about LGC?
“Before LGC I was in college and had been working in restaurants since high school.”
Talk briefly about your LGC journey:
“I was hired on to LGC in 2004 during my junior year in college. I was hired to work part-time as an administrative assistant in our one and only office at the time in downtown Indianapolis, where I answered phones, helped schedule candidates etc. After I graduated, I started working full time with LGC and eventually took over the payroll and accounts receivable processes. I grew with this role as our payroll and A/R team grew and eventually became Director of Payroll Operations.
It has been such an honor to watch and be a part of the growth LGC has experienced over the years, I have had the pleasure of working with so many wonderful people along the way! LGC does a great job of encouraging employees to figure out their strengths and helping them to succeed. I am currently an Executive Recruiter as I’ve always had a passion for connecting with people, I’m looking forward to now growing in this role!”
What past work experience or characteristics do you have that make you successful on the perm team?
“For me it’s the motivation of finding the right person for the right job. Knowing that you have helped both parties in their journeys to be successful is very gratifying. Working with our candidates and clients in years past in the payroll and A/R department has helped me realize how much I enjoy connecting with people and helping them.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for job seekers?
“Be yourself, be honest about what you are looking for. Look for a company culture that you enjoy and will support you.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for businesses who are hiring?
“Use LGC!
Go with your gut when hiring, the employee may not have the exact background you thought you wanted but if they have the right personality and work ethic it could be a great fit.
What’s a fun fact or something you want people to know about you?
“It makes me anxious when people ask me to name a fun fact about myself.”
Robert Hoxworth
Executive Recruiter | Perm Division
LGC employee since November 15, 2021
What were you doing before you heard about LGC?
“I worked in insurance for Statefarm, in sales and customer service.”
Talk briefly about your LGC journey:
“I was hired as an Executive Recruiter for the St. Louis Perm Team in early November. I had been looking to dip my feet back into recruiting ever since I left Panera Bread, and LGC took a chance on me. I love the approach our company takes to balancing work/home life… That aspect of the culture is driven home hard, but what really solidifies the belief that we are all parts of one whole is LGC’s openness to different ideas… Taking in the thoughts of all to create ideas that represent everyone truly makes you feel like you’re a part of something.”
What past work experience or characteristics do you have that make you successful on the perm team?
“I’ve chosen to work in roles where communication has always been key, and after a few years in customer service, sales, and insurance, I can’t think of a more transferrable skill. Being able to remain personable while upholding your professionalism is priceless in a role like ours. Most of what we do is dependent on our prospect’s trust and comfortability in us, and that all stems from communication.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for job seekers?
“First impressions are everything! Whether it’s through a resume, over a phone call, or in person – the way you present yourself carries much more weight than you think. If you’re having trouble landing those positions you’re really interested in, rethink your approach. I understand that may sound vague, so to give clarity, present yourself by highlighting what you can do for a prospective employer, not by highlighting what they need to do for you. Keep in mind that bringing someone into a company comes with risk, and nobody takes on more risk than they need to.”
What’s the best piece of advice you have for businesses who are hiring?
“With the recent changes in the job market, people are looking for employers that keep their livelihood in mind, and the best way to showcase that is being prompt. If someone applies for your position and you take a few days to evaluate their resume, and then a few more to schedule a phone call, and a few more for a final interview and so on… you’ll find that your hiring process is rewarding desperation rather than competence, and you’ll miss out on tons of stellar employees to other companies that beat you to the punch.”
What’s a fun fact or something you want people to know about you?
“I’m a talker. I was always the kid who got in trouble in school for finishing my work early just to talk, getting moved all around because I’d talk too much, and my teachers would hopelessly attempt to put me by someone they thought I couldn’t become friends with. I love the irony of my biggest issue as a kid becoming the basis of my professional skillset.”
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Did you know that LGC’s perm team connects great candidates with amazing opportunities all over the country? Contact us today to learn how we can improve your job search and boost your hiring efforts.
Missed Part 1 of Meet the Employee’s Behind LGC’s Perm Team? Find it here.