Speaker 1: 0:30

My name is Teresa Hayes and I am a team lead or recruiter for Dell Technologies, so I'm actually in corporate. I know that's a little different from a lot of your folks that you have on the podcast, but I'm really excited and very passionate about what I do. So happy to be here.

Speaker 2: 0:47

Oh, we're so grateful and we love variety, so we're glad that you're here. I'd like to start off with a backstory on how you got to the career that you're in right now. Was this always in the game plan for you? Talk to me a little bit about yourself, your business, or the business that you're in and your industry.

Speaker 1: 1:05

Yes. So it's funny because a lot of recruiters do not plan their careers when they're in college to go into recruiting, and so it's kind of a funny story For myself. I actually went to college to be a science teacher and I respect and love all of the teachers that are in my community and my son's school, but it just wasn't for me, and so I took a little bit of a step and I did some administrative work coming out of my bachelor's degree and then I fell into recruiting. I worked for a staffing agency, like so many of us do, and ended up going into corporate recruiting working for a midsize software company here in the Northern Virginia area, and then after a couple of a few years I fell into corporate recruiting at Dell Technologies and ended up in people leadership, which was never in my plan. So I think that's why I'm I'm always curious about people's career path and about how they fall into their. You know their, how they came to be where they are in their careers. That's always a fun story for me.

Speaker 2: 2:16

Yeah, me too, and I. That's why I always ask the question. So I love knowing, cause I always know what I asked him. Was this always in the car? In my head I'm like there's always like a crazy story of how they got there. So I love hearing that.

Speaker 1: 2:25

Yeah, and I think I think where it relates is like I love talking to people. Um, I love like hearing stories about where people came to be and their paths, and so for me, when I'm making small talk at gatherings or with people and asking about, hey, what do you do for a living? Because that's such a common question For me, I genuinely really want to know, because it's such a curiosity for me, I love that.

Speaker 2: 2:52

Yeah, and now for the type of services that you provide. Tell me what clients or potential like employees or employers are looking for when they're recruiting and looking for talent. What is out there Like? What is the hot trend of? Like, we want people to be like this. Get into all that good stuff.

Speaker 1: 3:08

Well, so I think in technology right now, what you're seeing cause I work in, I work in big tech, and so, whether you love it or hate it, it's there and it's here to stay, and I think the big trends right now are AI.

Speaker 1: 3:22

That's the buzzword right. Everybody is talking about AI, but there are so many avenues within that space that I think even there are some careers out there that, like you know, you talk about, like our kids, you know, at the elementary age, haven't even been created, and so that's the big trend right now is AI. And so a lot of the universities that you know we're seeing they have these AI courses, they have degrees in AI, and so I think that's the big trend right now and kind of the hot thing All the tech companies are recruiting in this space, and so that's part of what we look for as well. But again, in the Northern Virginia area, we have a lot of government and government contracting here, so you'll see a lot of that, in addition to, you know, other careers, obviously. But, yeah, it's, it's here to stay, I guess, and it's definitely the next like technology revolution, you know, and you hear about it, but it's, it's definitely here and it's moving fast and forward it really is.

Speaker 2: 4:28

Sometimes you ever feel like it's going too fast or does it ever scare you where? It's like you get a phone call and it's not you, but it's your boys like things like that, and it's just like my gosh.

Speaker 1: 4:38

Yeah, there's a lot of oh, there's so many like so much reading out there about like AI and these chat bots and um and you know, are these real people? I think it's fascinating. It's. It's a little scary, but there's. There's a lot of like benefit to it, I think for our, you know, for our organization, but also for like my job and in our jobs. It can take a lot of those manual tasks away. It can take some of the time out of the process for recruiting people, and so there is a lot of good. There's more good that will come out of it than I think you know bad, because people think, oh well, the you know the bots are going to take over the world?

Speaker 2: 5:21

We're not there. We watch too many movies, right?

Speaker 1: 5:24

So I do think in the long run there will be a lot more good that will come out of it.

Speaker 2: 5:29

So I agree, yeah, yeah, it's time to get used to. But I agree with you, I'm with you there, I trust you. Yeah yeah, and then what have been some of the challenges for you in your industry when it comes to helping others? Like, maybe there's like something that you're still trying to like, manage or figure out, or it's taking a little bit of time to learn, but you know you'll get there.

Speaker 1: 5:48

Oh sure, that's a really great question. Um, well, I think with any, with any job search or any job change, it's a big decision for people sometimes and, um, you know, it can be anything from, you know, changing companies where you've been there for a while. Um, so I think it's, it's a big life move for people, right? Or it can be Um. So I think, like, as in recruiting, like our job is always to make that process as seamless as possible and me, as a people leader or team lead, rather, you know, I'm helping, kind of shepherd, and help some of our recruiters, you know, make that process a little easier.

Speaker 1: 6:33

So, again, like it's the candidate care, those some of the challenges come with. Just, we're working with people, people are our product and ultimately, like, we want to hire the best people to the organization. Just like a lot of your listeners who own their businesses, they are going to want to hire, you know, if they're adding team members, they want to hire the best people too. So I think that's always the challenge is your product when your product is people and you're dealing with those emotions and those big life decisions. That's always a challenge, I think, for everybody. Yeah.

Speaker 2: 7:03

That's right. So hit up Teresa, she can help you with that I don't know about.

Speaker 1: 7:08

well, I think it just let's make the I think anybody in recruiting and if your audience is in, you know whether they have a business, whether they're in talent acquisition, like I think, just to make that process easier for people, as you know, job search, you know, in the job search, I think let's try to do that Because there's a lot, let's face it, there's some, a lot of recruiting. People get a, you know, get a bad rap out there and it's because people have had had like negative experiences.

Speaker 2: 7:35

So yeah, and like right now I feel like it's kind of crazy out there, like I have not looked for a job but my sister was and she's like overwhelmed and just like there's not enough information. It doesn't say this, it doesn't say that, or like all kinds of stuff like that. What advice or tips could you give to people maybe as a recruiter, people looking for jobs and like any advice or like red flags to look out for green flags?

Speaker 1: 8:01

Gosh, yeah. So, first and foremost, I think I agree with you there's a lot of good information out there and there's a lot of not great information out there and I think, based, you know, if, if your, your listeners, are looking for a job, it can be, it definitely can be quite overwhelming. And I think you have to kind of funnel in, like what information you're willing to kind of listen to and what you can tune out. And that can be very hard sometimes, especially like if you're unemployed, you don't have a role. Um, I think what I would say is, you know, focus on yourself, your job search.

Speaker 1: 8:38

I still think I truly, truly believe the old fashioned not old fashioned, I shouldn't say that but networking is the key a lot of times to finding that next role and finding a good role for you. I also, you know, we've seen a lot of layoffs in the tech industry in the past couple of years and you know we'll see. Like you know, applicants will apply and there'll be hundreds of applicants for just one role. And so I do think, like you know, definitely apply to the jobs where you see, because they can come out of there, you know, you can, you know, obtain a role out of there, but also do the networking, and whether that's through LinkedIn, whether that's through a connection, I've always said when you're looking for a job or you're seeking a new opportunity, take those calls. Let your friends, let your family know hey, I'm looking for my next opportunity. Do you know anybody in this space? So that would be my tips.

Speaker 2: 9:35

Yeah, absolutely. What are your thoughts on like going in, because my sister was like saying something like whenever I go, they're just like oh, apply online. Like they don't even want to talk to you or network or anything. They're just like no. Like what do you? What are your thoughts on like I guess giving them your resume, or is that?

Speaker 1: 9:49

Yeah, the resume, yeah, I mean I will say everything is done online. So I think the official applications, yeah, you do have to go through the process and I know that can be cumbersome for people, especially when you're seeking a new role. Yeah, when I was first out in the workforce many, many years ago, that was one way to do it was to walk into a business, hand the resume. But yeah, everything is definitely online now. That's right.

Speaker 2: 10:16

Right, that's just where we're going.

Speaker 1: 10:17

It's where we've been too.

Speaker 2: 10:19

Yeah for sure You're like ahead of the game.

Speaker 1: 10:21

I'm just still like with my papers and pencils over here. No, no, no, it's a valid question, though, Thank you.

Speaker 2: 10:28

And then I'd like to talk about the things that you're so passionate about, which we've already covered, but I just want to hear, like about career path your story. But I just want to hear about career path your story, and then candidate experiences and then how it is interviewing to hire the best people.

Speaker 1: 10:43

Yeah, yeah. So career path I mean we kind of talked a little bit about that. I think for a lot of people there's no direct career path. People think that career path is a straight line and I definitely think as we change as adults, individuals, the career path looks more like this sometimes. And so when I talk about that, if there's an opportunity even if it's not that step up, but it might be like we'll call it a lateral opportunity that will give you some additional experience in whatever you're looking to do, sometimes it's good to take that opportunity. So definitely be open Once you're to a point in your career where you're ready for a change.

Speaker 1: 11:28

I've seen some of the most successful people do that with their careers as they kind of move along and gain those different experiences. So for me, when I talk about that, it's definitely about like gaining the additional experience. Me personally, I never thought I'd be in a people leader role and when an opportunity came about, my boss at the time she's like you need to interview for this. I think you'd be a good people leader. And so I think, with career path to the path that you may not know, others may think, hey, you'd be a good fit for. So listen to those people too when it comes to, like career path and opportunity, a position you may think you know what it is may not actually be what it is and it may be better, and so definitely have those people in your corner that can kind of help you, you know, guide you with your career path too.

Speaker 2: 12:21

Yeah, absolutely. And sometimes you kind of might be like used to what you're doing or kind of blind to it and you're like wait me, you think I would be. And then you do and you're like wait a minute. Wow, this was such a great fit. I never thought.

Speaker 1: 12:30

Absolutely yeah, and I've, and some great bosses where I'm at too, and so I just think it's, you know, it's definitely valuable to kind of listen and listen to those, those advocates for you and those mentors for you that are that are maybe telling you things you don't know about yourself. Yeah for sure.

Speaker 2: 12:48

Good advice there. And then I would like to ask you about women in leadership since we're on the topic of mentorship as well, and advocacy. Talk to me a little bit about that.

Speaker 1: 12:58

Sure, well, I'm always I think I'm always looking for ways to kind of promote, you know, other women in leadership myself kind of, you know, moving into that team lead role over the past couple of years, always looking to, you know, help other women in that area, so definitely passionate about that and kind of connecting if people want to have calls and just talk through it like how did you get into leadership? Definitely always open to that. I would definitely say, if you are in business and whether you're a business owner, whether you're in corporate find, seek out those mentors, seek out those people that are going to be advocates for you. And I think that definitely kind of goes back to like career progression, career paths. So I think that's why because I've again, I personally have had really great mentors myself and really great advocates for me to kind of push me to that next level, so having a good support system is so important.

Speaker 1: 14:00

Absolutely.

Speaker 2: 14:01

Absolutely. Imagine if you always had someone like you're not good at this. We're like no, you can't do that. We're like dang yeah.

Speaker 1: 14:07

And I've had that happen too. Oh, my goodness, how do you deal with that? Like are you?

Speaker 2: 14:11

just like you know what Shut up yeah.

Speaker 1: 14:13

I yeah, I mean, it's been years, but in years and years and years ago. But I remember talking to somebody about like hey, this position might be something, and I had this person tell me well, you don't, that position's not really what you think it is. And I don't think, and I think they just didn't want to maybe lose me in their group.

Speaker 1: 14:32

But at the time I was a little heartbroken because I'm like, well, I don't need that. I need somebody who's going to like explore, at least explore it with me, or help me kind of like understand maybe.

Speaker 2: 14:43

So yeah, I've had it go the other direction which is unfortunate, and that's why we talk about the good and the bad and the ugly here.

Speaker 1: 14:50

We get real on this podcast.

Speaker 2: 14:52

I love you for sharing that little story there.

Speaker 1: 14:55

for me it's the real story. I think it is what it is and it's important and it helps those you know. Those not so great experiences help shape you who you are in your profession and in your career too. So we got it. We got to talk about that stuff, right, thank you.

Speaker 2: 15:10

And I would like to ask you where do you see yourself in the next five years, Like as a person, and with your position or your leadership?

Speaker 1: 15:17

if I had a dollar, I you know honestly I'll, I'll give you. So it's funny because I told you coming in here, I interview people all week and I've never asked questions myself and so that's a really tough question. But I will say my thing I've always thought about is yeah, where do I want to be in five years? I think I want to just be in a position where I'm contributing to an organization. I love corporate. I think I love the structure, I love the people. I love my current company as well. But yeah, I think, as long as I'm contributing, make a difference and frankly, I mean in my profession, like hiring great people and providing great experiences for people like that's where I want to be and whatever capacity that means that being in, yeah, yeah.

Speaker 2: 16:09

And then I kind of have a tricky question, because it's kind of hard to tell, right, but when you're, I guess, as a recruiter, and maybe employers or companies are looking for great talent, how do you know? When someone is like I guess maybe this is not bad, like being honest, or how do you know they're going to be like a great fit, is it like? How do you?

Speaker 1: 16:30

That's a really great question. So you can interview people. So you can interview people, you can ask the right questions. People can go through the interview process questions. People can go through the interview process and I think it's about being, you know, the employer, being transparent with the candidates about what the role actually is, right.

Speaker 1: 16:52

So you want to pinpoint that from the beginning. But when it comes to candidates, I mean, are there going to be bad hires or not? Great hires, not a good fit? At the end of the day, absolutely. And I think employers that's always a challenge for employers too, because it does cost a lot of money. It costs the employer a lot of money in order to rehire. Yeah, if you calculate, there's some numbers out there. I don't know what the most recent figure is, but it is a pretty large cost to like rehire somebody who you know from a bad hire.

Speaker 1: 17:25

So I think ensuring that you know number one, the skill set, aligns with however close you can get that skill set. That's number one. Experience, even future skills. Like, is this person, if they don't have everything, can we train that right with that person? But then also too, I think what's really important is you know, does that person's values fit the company values as well, right, so there should be. You know, the company should have like a philosophy, some goals and then really kind of a culture code, so some really key things. So asking those questions that will align with that and seeing where there's a match, that's definitely key. And I think sometimes those those hires that don't have that, that will reflect pretty quickly once you get that person in the door. But you know you can do all you can and then will there still sometimes be not a great fit, absolutely yeah.

Speaker 2: 18:27

So thank you for sharing that, because we have a lot of business owners who listen, so I'm sure this will be of value to them. So thank you.

Speaker 1: 18:32

Yeah, yeah. If you're looking to yeah, definitely have those. I was going to say, definitely have those out there and align those candidates. You're hiring those people you're hiring with your company, your values, your core values At the heart of it. You know a lot of things you can train, you know you've got those main skill sets, but really look for the people that are going to fit those core values with your company.

Speaker 2: 18:55

Yes, and then I know you're passionate about your job and you love what you do, but what do you like to do outside of that? What are you passionate about outside of what you're passionate about at work?

Speaker 1: 19:04

Sure, yeah Well, I'm obviously, you know, working mother wife. I've been married for 25 years. Congratulations so love my family. I'm a dog mom. I have a golden doodle.

Speaker 2: 19:16

Love my dog.

Speaker 1: 19:18

I honestly, I really love. I'm a passionate about makeup and I could tell.

Speaker 2: 19:24

I was like we're wearing like similar color on our eyes right now. I was thinking about that.

Speaker 1: 19:28

Yeah, I have kind of a key thing for like I don't know all the beauty things, like whether so yeah, I'm a big, you know that's kind of my fun thing, but yeah, just, you know good wine, good food, you know good makeup. Yeah, but I'm a big family advocate.

Speaker 2: 19:47

What are your top three favorite makeup brands? I just want to know.

Speaker 1: 19:51

Oh, okay, so Makeup by Mario?

Speaker 2: 19:54

Yes, I have their little cream blush the circle one.

Speaker 1: 19:56

Yes, rare, beauty I love.

Speaker 2: 19:59

Oh, my God.

Speaker 1: 19:59

Yes, yes. And then if I'm going to go drugstore, I'll do a good L'Oreal lipstick. I love L'Oreal and Revlon too.

Speaker 2: 20:06

They've been upping their lip.

Speaker 1: 20:07

Yeah, they've got some good, but yeah, I'm a big like lip gloss lipstick person, so have you tried Fenty, yes I haven't. I don't have too many of their products, though.

Speaker 2: 20:21

Their new one that like kind of came out. I'm wearing it right now. It's like really nice, it's not like crazy.

Speaker 1: 20:24

But it's also not boring. So it's just a little like yeah, I have to show I've got a bunch of my purse over there.

Speaker 2: 20:28

I have a makeup bag. We can look at each other's. I would love to actually.

Speaker 1: 20:31

Yes, it's huge, but yeah, that's. A big passion of mine is makeup and all the fun things. So yeah, I love that.

Speaker 2: 20:38

And then is there anything maybe that I have not touched on, that you would maybe like to get out there for people to know about you, whether it's in regards to your industry, your family, makeup, anything. Oh my gosh.

Speaker 1: 20:51

No, I just think I think for like business owners because I know a lot of your listeners are business owners. I think just kind of what I talked about already and in terms of like bringing people onto your team and making sure they align ready, and in terms of like bringing people onto your team and making sure they align, I think, for job seekers. There's so much information out there, so I think, kind of going back to like keying in on really like what's of value to you. Don't get frustrated with the job search either, because I know there's a lot going on Right now. We're at the holiday time too, so things tend to like slow down a little bit with like the jobs and responses back from employers. So you know, keep going, don't give up, don't get frustrated. I truly believe hiring and job search is all about timing. I've said this over and over again it's about timing and finding the right fit, both for as a candidate and also as an employer, and so when one thing, when one door closes, another door will open, I promise.

Speaker 2: 21:54

Even though it feels like it's not a 50 door shot.

Speaker 1: 21:57

Yeah, yeah, it may feel like that and that job that you thought might was so perfect for you, there's a reason. There's definitely a reason. It wasn't, wasn't meant to be so.

Speaker 2: 22:08

Absolutely no. This is just great advice and positive, because I know it's hard out there for people and they're just like feel down. They're just like they have, I guess, anxiety and like am I going to be good enough? Or like have my sister listen to me like check.

Speaker 1: 22:25

Oh, yeah, yeah, and I appreciate it. I mean, again, I've been doing this for almost 20 years and so I'm really passionate about it and I just I love what I do and it shows.

Speaker 2: 22:36

Oh, thank you. With your little smile You're just. I love what I do. I was like. And her makeup the same smile. When she talked about makeup and her people person recruiting, I was like yeah, it aligns with what she's saying in my head.

Speaker 2: 22:51

Awesome, awesome. Thank you, you're welcome. And now my final question is one that I like to ask everybody Sure, but do you have a quote, a saying or a mantra, maybe even something that somebody has told you in your life that stood out and has inspired you, that you just said in your head before what do I always think about that? Would you like to share that with us?

Speaker 1: 23:05

Oh my gosh, I have so many now. Perfect, perfect, oh my gosh. I think in career, I think, when you're looking at your career, career, I think one thing I've just always said is say yes, take the opportunity, don't let those doors close. If they're you know, if you don't want them to close, I think it's just about you know going for it, saying yes, meeting people no, really mantra, I guess, but that would be my I don't know my thinking Life lesson.

Speaker 2: 23:42

Good life lesson. Yeah, we'll take those Life lesson with Teresa. Exactly, that could be like an Instagram or like a chat thing that you could start like a chat with Teresa. I love it. Yeah, I love it. Well, thank you so much for being on the podcast and giving us so much wisdom and insight into the career and tech and all that crazy world.

Speaker 1: 24:00

Thank you so much, for I really do appreciate this has been a lot of fun.