As a small business recruiting consultant, Treena Goel’s favourite aspect of her job is the daily connection she makes with people, most notably young entrepreneurs. She also has some great advice for other young professionals; find out more in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your business in a nutshell.
I’m a small business recruiting consultant. That’s the tiniest nutshell version. To expand a little, I work with small and mid-sized companies to help them meet their staffing needs. I like to think of myself as a hybrid between an in-house recruiter and an agency. While there are hundreds of staffing firms in Calgary alone, what sets me a part is that I tailor what I do for each company based on their needs.
Why did you start your business, what was the inspiration?
I have a degree in commerce with a major in entrepreneurship from the University of Victoria. I knew I would do something with it when the timing was right. I fell into a career in recruiting and, in March 2010 after being let go from the recruiting firm I had been with for two years, I knew it was time to combine the two. Headhunters are expensive and the cost is justified for large companies that are trying to fill specialized positions. I noticed that there was a gap in the market. The vast majority of recruiting firms were focusing on larger companies that had the resources to hire them. But quite often what a smaller company needs is a short-term recruiting resource that can help them find the people they need and act as guide and sounding board to discuss future needs.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis? The most challenging part?
The best part of what I do is meet with people. Recruiting is all about connecting people, and there is nothing more satisfying than seeing a candidate you’ve helped hire enjoying their job and then seeing that you’ve also helped a manager improved their department or company. The most challenging part is when it takes longer than you want to find the right candidate. I tell managers all the time that it is better and cheaper to leave a position vacant than to hire the wrong person. Sometimes that is easier said than done. I also shake my head in disbelief once a day when reviewing resumes. The sole purpose of a resume is to get someone like me to pick up the phone. My best advice for people when updating their resume is to share what’s relevant, not too much or too little and proofread, proofread, proofread.
Where do you see your business going in 5 years?
I’m currently consulting with a local mid-sized EPC company and am loving it. They are growing and I’m learning so much. In the next few years I’d like to get back to working solely with small businesses. It is so rewarding to work with budding entrepreneurships and know that I helped them grow their business.
What does success look like to you?
When talking about success, living a life that is balanced doesn’t get enough credit. We live in a world where everyone is so busy that if you aren’t running around constantly feeling exhausted, then it seems that you aren’t trying hard enough. I worked for a company for five years where the expectation was to work a minimum of 50 hours a week. I loved my job but eventually resented having to be there so much regardless of how busy I was. As a result I believe in working smart and working hard – not working long hours. Success to me means having the time and resources to do the things that are important to me.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
The most memorable milestone was landing my first client as a consultant. Timing is everything! I was working with my computer downtown and bumped into someone I knew. He was with a client and when I told them what I was doing the client said his company needed a short-term recruiter. One month later I was working for them on a seven-month contract. It was the validation I needed to know I was moving in the right direction.
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
My fiancé says this and it is so true: The sweet will never be as sweet without the sour. When I lost my job in 2010, I was going through a really rough time in my life but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. Losing my job led me to where I am today. So when you think life is throwing you punches, it is really trying to guide you into a different and usually better direction.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
I’m looking to get involved more with environmental awareness. I like volunteering with the river clean-up every year. And I attend a lot of Green Calgary workshops. I’m not a crazy tree hugger (not that there is anything wrong with that) but I grew up on Vancouver Island where nature is all around you. The thing I don’t get about people’s lack of empathy towards the environment it that it affects all of us. Clean air, clean water and thriving green spaces is good for everyone. Would you rather vacation on a pristine beach or one cluttered with plastic and garbage? I believe in acting locally and thinking globally. My intention for this year is to start blogging and teaching people about the simple things they can do to make a big difference.
What is Notable to you?
A great meal! I am a Food Network nerd. Food is what motivates me to workout everyday. I love everything about food, talking about it, taking pictures of it, making it, etc. I started a cooking blog last year and my new year’s resolution is to write in it weekly.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
This may be embarrassing but I’m still rocking a BlackBerry. Apparently the BlackBerry 10 is supposed to be amazing, but it is time for a change considering everything else in our house is Apple.
How do you keep active, energetic, and vibrant?
I do my best to workout every day. It doesn’t always work that way, but I find if I set the intention to workout every day, and it ends up being 4 or 5 times per week, then I’m doing great. I struggled for years to work out at the gym on my own and now I just do classes. I like the energy of having other people around me doing the same thing. I also go to hot yoga once a week – you can’t beat a good sweat! I run outside and ride my bike in the spring and summer and I’m hoping to do another half marathon this year, the last one I did was the Calgary Marathon in 2011.
