I was fortunate enough to have been recruited into the staffing industry back in 1995, not long after college graduation.  To this day, I consider it a blessing.  Like so many recent college grads, I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do – I honestly just needed someone to give me a chance.  I was looking for a company who saw my talent, would invest in my professional development and would guide my ambition.

At a college job fair, a recruiter at a staffing company and I “connected.”  Like most good talent acquisition professionals, she had that “six sense” so many of us like to boast.  We went beyond the typical canned interview questions and responses which we had both rehearsed and she made an effort to get to know me.  Fortunately, she saw my spark.  She immediately uncovered that I was relationship builder, that I was energized and motivated by working with people.  We began talking about her career in staffing and I was immediately intrigued.  Within a couple weeks, I accepted a job as a staffing consultant and was shipped off to Lexington, Kentucky where I learned the ins and outs of staffing automotive manufacturing facilities.  There I learned and still maintain a deep respect for the men and women who build things – an ability I’ve never seemed to master.  I live in constant fear that my Ikea desk is going to collapse at any moment.

Throughout the next 20 years, I’ve had incredible opportunities to learn a myriad of different industries and have enjoyed recruiting for some fascinating organizations – everything from food packaging companies to Hollywood film studios.  Throughout my 2 decade tenure in the staffing world, I have played a hand in helping thousands of people secure work.  It’s my professional calling and I am passionate about both the art and the science of recruitment.

I’ve had great mentors in my professional career – and am proud to call many of them colleagues today.  Mary Shaw, Cornerstone’s Eastern Regional Director teaches to slow down, to think critically and to not fly off the handle.  Brenda Self, our Midwest Regional Director challenges my spend-thrift nature and reminds me of budgetary restraint.  Wendy Sanders, Cornerstone’s Western Regional Director inspires me to motivate and always champion the careers of those with whom I work.  Our CEO, Steve Drexel teaches me to deliberate and to look at every decision from multiple viewpoints.  Finally, Cornerstone’s remarkable Staffing Consultants, our client and staffing associate ambassadors have thought me 3 very important things:

Staffing Consultants Are Passionate

Great recruiters are passionate about their work.  They understand the important role they play in an organization.  A firm’s single greatest asset and indicator of success is its human capital.  Staffing Consultants are instrumental in the success of any organization.

Staffing Consultants Are Relentless

Extraordinary recruiters go well beyond the limited confines of a job description and resume.  They partner with hiring managers to truly understand what will make a department or business unit “tick.”  Staffing Consultants are curious by nature.  They research, they get their hands dirty and they are relentless about making the best match possible.   Mathew Caldwell, Head of Talent at Instacart describes it well:  “A good recruiting process focuses and aligns recruiters to deliver the best to the organization.  Ultimately, recruiting should be viewed as a business partner, someone who is critical to the success of the business.”

Staffing Consultants Are Caring

Recruitment professionals understand that their product is not a widget.  Our “product” is a person – someone with hopes, dreams, a family and responsibilities in life.  Caring recruiters never strive just to fill a job but are passionate about the people and businesses we serve.

At Cornerstone, we strive to create extraordinary experiences for those who entrust us with their employment needs.  I invite you to get to know me and our truly remarkable team at Cornerstone Staffing.

Brian Hatfield

Director of Recruitment

bhatfield@cssitalent.com