(Picture coming soon!)
Dominic is our Recruiting Manager here at Phoenix Staffing. Because he’s been around for so long, we asked him to fill out a questionnaire so that he can share his vast knowledge with us!
1. How many years have you been working for Phoenix and how did you get started?
I have been a member of the Phoenix Staffing team since the year 2000. The first couple of years were on a part-time basis where I provided assistance to the accounts receivables department, and with the development of the first PhoenixStaffing.net website. Additionally, I oversaw various marketing projects for Phoenix Staffing, two office moves, and did some inside sales. By 2003, I was a full-time member of our recruiting staff, which is where my focus has been since. This May will mark my 11th year with Phoenix Staffing & Management Systems, Inc.
2. What is your favorite aspect of recruiting?
The most challenging projects that I’ve worked on have been with companies that are in the process of opening brand new facilities. Usually in these instances we’ll be responsible for providing all types of employees, from administrative personnel, plant personnel, maintenance, and management. These projects give me the opportunity to watch an organization grow and mature. Plus, these situations offer advancement opportunities for individuals being hired that may not be available at facilities that have been established for many years, which means the people I place there have opportunities to move up quickly.
3. What is the biggest mistake people make when you interview them?
Our interviews tend to be low pressure meetings. The main focus of the preliminary interviews is to find out what your qualifications are and what you’re looking for in new employment. The biggest mistake a job seeker can make at this stage of our process is to not mention important skills or experience. If we don’t know you can operate certain types of software or machinery, we won’t know that you’re qualified for positions that have that requirement. To that end, more detailed resumes are our preference initially, and we can always revise a resume to focus on specific skills once we’ve identified a job match.
4. What do you like to do in your free time?
Thank you for asking! I enjoy thinking about books I would like to read, window shopping for exercise equipment, and participating in leisure sports. If everything goes right, I’ll be the country club golf, tennis and lawn bowling champion in the year 2042. I enjoy traveling within the Midwestern portion of the United States to visit friends, attend sporting event and to see concerts. After further consideration, though, I’m getting pretty nervous the more I read about the cost cutting going on with airplane maintenance these days, and I’ll probably look into alternative transportation options for a couple of the trips I have planned for this summer.
5. What did you pursue in school?
Studying business and political science in college may not directly relate to the recruiting work I do now, but meeting and interacting with new people in college prepared me for the daily challenge of working with a diverse group of job seekers and employees. Studying to earn the Certified Staffing Professional designation by the American Staffing Association provided a solid base to ensure that I deal knowledgeably and professionally with everyone I come into contact with. Completing the Certificate in Business Administration Program through the University of Illinois – Chicago trained me in process analysis, improvement and strategic planning.
6. What is one of your favorite/funniest memories of working at Phoenix?
While this work can be very challenging and it is often difficult to work with people who do not meet the expectations of the jobs to which their assigned, this work can be equally exhilarating when an individual takes advantage of an opportunity and exceeds expectations. Everyone wins in those types of situations, and witnessing success can be one of life’s greatest treasures.
