How I Got Started in Telecom
I graduated from college in 1989 with a degree in marketing and a passion for communication. I was fascinated by the emerging technologies that were transforming the way people interacted and exchanged information. I wanted to be part of that revolution, but I wasn’t sure how to get there.
I started out in the telecom industry working for MCI selling long-distance service and dedicated access. Remember those days?
I was happy doing this until I was offered the opportunity to move to Dallas and open an office for a telecom recruiting agency. They were looking to add someone that they trusted and that knew something about telecom, had a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn. That sounded like me, so I interviewed and was told my “enthusiasm made up for my lack of ability…” which was a fair comment.
The interview went well and I was offered the job!
I was excited and nervous because I knew that I had a lot to learn. I had no idea what a Telecom Recruiter did or how to find and attract qualified candidates for the telecom industry. I had to start from scratch, but I was eager to take on the challenge!
What I Learned as a Telecom Recruiter
I won’t lie, the first few years as a Telecom Recruiter were tough.
I had to learn the basics of the telecom industry… the terminology, the skills, the trends and the players. I had to learn how to source candidates, how to screen resumes, how to conduct interviews, how to negotiate offers and how to close deals, how to deal with rejection, competition and changing market conditions, how to build relationships, trust and credibility with both clients and candidates all while moving and adjusting to a new city (Dallas, TX).
But I also learned a lot of valuable lessons that have shaped my career and my life. Here are some of them:
The importance of passion – I realized that I loved what I was doing because I was helping people find their dream jobs and helping companies find their ideal talent. I was connecting with people and solving problems. I was making a difference in the telecom industry and passionate about my work, and that passion fueled my motivation, creativity and performance.
The importance of curiosity – I learned that the telecom industry is constantly evolving and that I had to keep up with the latest developments and innovations. I quickly realized I need to ask questions, research and learn new things every day. I had to always be curious about the needs, goals, and aspirations of my clients and candidates and then figure out how I could help them achieve them.
The importance of persistence – I learned that recruiting is not easy and that it takes a lot of hard work, dedication and perseverance. There are plenty of obstacles to overcome, challenges to face and disappointments to deal with. There’s a lot of follow up, follow through and following my instincts. In order to be successful, you have to be persistent until you reach your desired outcomes.
The importance of communication – I learned that open communication is the key to successful recruiting. You have to listen actively, empathize sincerely and respond promptly. If you communicate with honesty, integrity and respect, you will build trust with your clients and candidates. It’s important to communicate your value proposition, expectations and feedback.
How I Grew as a Telecom Recruiter
As I gained more experience and confidence in my new career as a Telecom Recruiter, I also grew in my role and responsibilities. I moved from being an individual contributor to being a team leader, a trainer, a mentor and a manager. I started with working for a small agency, then for a larger corporation and eventually co-founded my own company. I went from recruiting for local markets to recruiting for national and international markets. In the beginning, I was recruiting for general telecom positions, then got more into the specialized, niche positions.
Through these transitions, I learned new skills, faced new challenges and achieved new goals, how to manage teams, projects, budgets and clients, how to train, coach and develop other recruiters, how to start, run and grow a business, how to adapt, innovate and diversify, how to leverage technology, data and analytics and I learned how to create and implement effective recruiting strategies, processes and systems.
But I also stayed true to my core values and principles that have guided me from the beginning. I stayed passionate, curious, persistent and communicative. I focused on delivering quality service and results to my clients and candidates. I was committed to learning and improving myself and my team while staying loyal to my niche and my network.
What I Look Forward To
After 30 years of telecom recruiting, I can honestly say that I still love what I do. I still find it rewarding, challenging and fun. I love meeting new people, building the relationships and making the connections. I enjoy finding and placing the best talent in the telecom industry while contributing to the growth and success of my clients and candidates.
I look forward to the future because I know that there is still so much more to learn, to do and to achieve. Exploring new opportunities, technologies and markets still excites me. I appreciate getting to expand my reach, impact and influence. I’m excited to develop new skills, competencies and capabilities. I look forward to continuing to grow my team, company and brand.
Thank you for reading this blog post and thank you for being part of my story!
If you are a client looking for top-notch telecom talent or a candidate looking for your next career move in the telecom industry, please contact me today. I would love to hear from you and see how I can help you reach your goals!
