Episode 5 - Carrie Beeks

[00:00:00] [SPEAKER_00]: Welcome to The HigherHer Podcast by Talent Collective, presenting conversations with inspiring women in talent.

[00:00:07] [SPEAKER_00]: And get ready ladies, because this is the last time you're going to hear a man's voice on this show.

[00:00:13] [SPEAKER_02]: Hello everyone and welcome to this episode of HigherHer Put On By Talent Collective.

[00:00:20] [SPEAKER_02]: So my name is Christa Tan. I'm one of the co-founders of Talent Collective, and we're joined here by Natalie Stones, our other co-founder,

[00:00:29] [SPEAKER_02]: and hello, we have a very special guest today. Her name is Carrie Beeks.

[00:00:35] [SPEAKER_02]: I'm going to tell you a little story about Carrie's.

[00:00:38] [SPEAKER_02]: So last year, almost a year ago, she was one of the very first members that Talent Collective had that raised their hand to start a community, a local community in her city.

[00:00:50] [SPEAKER_02]: She and I were having a brief intro call just getting to know each other, and she waited till the very end. And she said, you know what's up in thinking?

[00:01:01] [SPEAKER_02]: I wonder, like, could I do something like this in Seattle for Talent Collective?

[00:01:07] [SPEAKER_02]: And it was really the beginning of a new phase of our growth because many women have come after Carrie to start a community in their local area, that Carrie was really the first one to raise her hand.

[00:01:22] [SPEAKER_02]: So she holds a very, very special place in my heart and our heart.

[00:01:27] [SPEAKER_02]: And so as you've heard, she is our founding member in Seattle, and we are so excited to have you on today, Carrie.

[00:01:35] [SPEAKER_02]: So why don't you introduce yourself, tell us a little bit about you, your background and what you're doing at nowadays.

[00:01:43] [SPEAKER_03]: Hi, Krista, hi, Natalie. Thank you. I'm excited to be here in part of this. And you both hold a really special place in my heart as well. So excited.

[00:01:55] [SPEAKER_03]: So I have been in talent in one way or another for many years, probably over 15 years now. So it is really when I think of my career, it is, it is my career.

[00:02:09] [SPEAKER_03]: So for the last year, I have been doing more project-based consulting for a variety of different organizations and it's been a lot of fun to be able to flex between different clients and put on different hats that relate to recruiting.

[00:02:26] [SPEAKER_03]: And so I am continuing to stay in the space of talent and, you know, the conversation you and I had Krista, it really was an opportunity for me to, you know, give a little bit of what I've learned in the talent space but also learn from from those other women that do what we do every single day.

[00:02:50] [SPEAKER_02]: So very nice. Well, thank you. Thank you for giving back in that way. I know you are definitely seen as a leader and a role model in both the talent collective membership and community but also the larger Seattle community.

[00:03:06] [SPEAKER_02]: So we appreciate everything you do. Well, dive in here to some questions that we'd love to find out about you and get to know you a bit better.

[00:03:17] [SPEAKER_02]: So you mentioned you been in talent acquisition for roughly the last 15 years or so. So tell us about that journey and how it's led you to where you are today.

[00:03:29] [SPEAKER_03]: Well, looking back many years. I early early early in my career. I had finished a graduate program in philanthropy and nonprofit and I had spent some time overseas working with NGOs and so when I came back to the US, I thought, well of course, I want to really use this this new knowledge.

[00:03:52] [SPEAKER_03]: I want to kind of really submerge myself in my passion and go work in the philanthropic sector. And so I was incredibly excited when I got an opportunity to work for a boutique consulting firm that focused in the nonprofit area.

[00:04:10] [SPEAKER_03]: And they wanted to hire me and say I would said yes before you know the details really came out and they said, we want to bring you into our brand new executive search division.

[00:04:22] [SPEAKER_03]: So I said yes and then I thought what is executive search.

[00:04:28] [SPEAKER_03]: And so that was the way I immersed myself or started in talent and recruitment and right away it just resonated with me.

[00:04:39] [SPEAKER_03]: I never knew like many of us in the talent space what recruiting is what it was, you know what you know what what it entails.

[00:04:47] [SPEAKER_03]: But I was struck by the opportunity to sit at the table with clients and understand their challenges with their needs are were.

[00:04:57] [SPEAKER_03]: And in how talent could help them solve those challenges and make a real difference in their organization.

[00:05:05] [SPEAKER_03]: And at the same time, be able to connect with talent and understand what their needs are you know what they were looking for and understand more importantly their stories.

[00:05:15] [SPEAKER_03]: And so I felt like I just had a really amazing opportunity to learn about a new career and that just led me to pursue other opportunities.

[00:05:27] [SPEAKER_03]: I went from there to a full desk very large agency and that was kind of a very rigid kind of entry into you know agency world working both sides of the desk so to speak.

[00:05:43] [SPEAKER_03]: And it was through that opportunity that I literally wasn't an elevator gave my little elevator pitch and had an opportunity to go pitch to to a client that ultimately turned out to be an employer of mine for seven eight years running their talent acquisition team growing.

[00:06:03] [SPEAKER_03]: And growing it from really you know small no recruiters no recruitment process to really being kind of a national presence.

[00:06:14] [SPEAKER_03]: And then just spending many years after that in internal tele acquisition.

[00:06:20] [SPEAKER_03]: Interestingly over the course of my career I have worked with in recruitment within the staffing world many different times but doing more internal tele acquisition so I've seen recruitment from.

[00:06:34] [SPEAKER_03]: A couple different angles a few different angles from corporate from you know more startup to nonprofit to global enterprises and so I've been very fortunate to see many different.

[00:06:49] [SPEAKER_03]: Many different ways that we can look for talent and organizations that that need what we do.

[00:06:57] [SPEAKER_01]: It's amazing.

[00:06:59] [SPEAKER_01]: You had such a great journey I didn't even know all of that so that's really fun to know about you I know all things talent collective about you but not your actual real journey when you think about.

[00:07:11] [SPEAKER_01]: As you went through that was there anybody that really helped elevate you in your career a man woman a team but someone or some team that stood out to you that you're like that was the catalyst that really took me from one level to the next.

[00:07:26] [SPEAKER_03]: I had many catalysts.

[00:07:28] [SPEAKER_03]: I've had many catalysts you know my career is unfortunately long so I've had the opportunity to meet amazing professionals in during my career.

[00:07:39] [SPEAKER_03]: I'm fortunate to have many individuals right now that are inspiring me mentoring me whether they know it or for not.

[00:07:48] [SPEAKER_03]: So I'm a big believer in keeping my eyes open and my ears open for those that might just give me little nuggets of inspiration or skills you know kind of insights on on the skills or maybe not so much the skills but.

[00:08:07] [SPEAKER_03]: The things that I might need to think about in terms of elevating my career but of course there have been many individuals over the course of my career.

[00:08:16] [SPEAKER_03]: I mean even starting at the very first firm that I mentioned I had the opportunity to work with a wonderful woman who was very seasoned in what she was doing as an executive search and she kind of took me under her her wing so to speak.

[00:08:31] [SPEAKER_03]: I'm not sure why because I had no idea what I was doing but she helped me professionalize myself as a professional help me understand what executive what routine search was was all about and so you know she was probably one of the first within the recruitment talent space but there have been so many more women and men who've mentored me.

[00:08:56] [SPEAKER_03]: I've had this amazing opportunity as well to be mentored in a way by some of my candidates.

[00:09:02] [SPEAKER_03]: I've had an opportunity to work closely at times with very senior or executive level candidates and I've gained so much from them in just listening to their stories,

[00:09:15] [SPEAKER_03]: listening to how they present and some know that they are great inspiration to me that they've been mentored some don't because it's maybe been a one or two conversations so.

[00:09:27] [SPEAKER_03]: I think the candidates have been inspirational to me my colleagues and you know just to tie it back to tell me collective I am inspired and inspire all the time by the women within this great community.

[00:09:44] [SPEAKER_03]: Those that have more experience, you know maybe not as much experience I'm always gaining from them.

[00:09:51] [SPEAKER_02]: I had a so many to hear and you know as you were talking I was thinking a lot about.

[00:09:58] [SPEAKER_02]: I've heard you know many horror stories about women and sometimes I think this can even be like industry specific or industry related like some industries kind of this like toxicity to them but the women leaders are like cutting down the more junior people and making them just feel awful about themselves

[00:10:20] [SPEAKER_02]: and making them feel like yeah just their their worthless and that they have to work so hard to get to where you know the more the executives are but I always love hearing stories of women supporting other women and that's one of the biggest reasons we started talent collective and one of our biggest goals.

[00:10:40] [SPEAKER_02]: So glad to hear that you received that earlier in your career but that you're also experiencing that as a part of the community.

[00:10:47] [SPEAKER_03]: And I just I'll just add to that and you look I have certainly experienced a little bit of what what you've shared.

[00:10:56] [SPEAKER_03]: I don't think that that is I don't believe that that's solely in our industry right I think it's just it it happens.

[00:11:05] [SPEAKER_03]: I try not to hold on to that because there are more important stories that more important stories and experiences that I like to hold on to and you know I have.

[00:11:15] [SPEAKER_03]: Great examples of where there have been very senior level women who have broken the ceiling so to speak within organizations that I've worked with and they I've directly reported into them that have become my best friend best friends while also still continuing to be.

[00:11:34] [SPEAKER_03]: I've been working with the community for a long time and I'm really happy to be able to talk to you about the story mentors and leaders and in fact one.

[00:11:39] [SPEAKER_03]: I had a conversation with this morning dear dear friend and so constantly learning so for every.

[00:11:46] [SPEAKER_03]: Maybe not so great story or example of what leadership is or isn't there's so many more examples out there.

[00:11:54] [SPEAKER_02]: Yeah that's great thank you for sharing.

[00:11:56] [SPEAKER_02]: So I'm going to shift gears a little bit to talk about recruiting recruiting specific questions so.

[00:12:03] [SPEAKER_02]: I think this job market is a really interesting one and where it's can be competitive on both the hiring side the company looking for somebody.

[00:12:14] [SPEAKER_02]: And the candidate side it's just this weird dichotomy so.

[00:12:19] [SPEAKER_02]: Talk a little bit about just recruiting and retaining good employees you know all of those things can be really challenging and what is something that you tried maybe something innovative or something that you'd like to share that you've found a lot of success with to help recruit and retain employees.

[00:12:40] [SPEAKER_03]: So I think when it comes to recruiting talent.

[00:12:44] [SPEAKER_03]: I don't know that it has changed so much today versus yesterday or before.

[00:12:51] [SPEAKER_03]: I think recruiters we have the opportunity to listen and I think that there's real power in listening listening to our stakeholders listening to our candidates and understanding what their needs are what their motivations are you know of course you know in certain situations there are specific skills or sort of occasions you know requirements.

[00:13:14] [SPEAKER_03]: But beyond that what are they looking for what are their needs what are some of the subtle things that they're sharing with you as a recruiter.

[00:13:22] [SPEAKER_03]: That maybe really important for you to keep in mind to help guide them or keep in mind and relay relaying that to the hiring team to the hiring leader.

[00:13:32] [SPEAKER_03]: That can make a big difference in not only them saying yes to the offer should they get it but also saying yes I want to continue to stay with this organization because you understand my motivations you understand what I'm looking for and you've brought that forward in the in the interview in the recruitment process so I think just listening.

[00:13:54] [SPEAKER_03]: Some of those moments of listening may result in hey this is not the right place this is not the right time this is not the right opportunity based on what I'm hearing you you say.

[00:14:05] [SPEAKER_03]: I think candidates really appreciate transparency I appreciate transparency as a candidate or as you know colleague whatever it is.

[00:14:16] [SPEAKER_03]: So I think just being trans transparent as possible obviously we have two at times where the corporate or the client had and there's just certain things we can but where we can be transparent it goes along way.

[00:14:31] [SPEAKER_01]: Last question carry we really want to bring some vulnerability to this podcast.

[00:14:39] [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah, we've had some like really interesting stories that we've learned about people so you know not to put you on the spot but we'd love to know like.

[00:14:47] [SPEAKER_01]: Is there something that you're currently challenged with or a big moment in your recruiting career that was super challenging and how do you overcome it.

[00:14:56] [SPEAKER_01]: I think people listening really clean some hope from these vulnerable conversations.

[00:15:02] [SPEAKER_03]: I like to share yeah good question I feel like my career has been so many vulnerable moments.

[00:15:13] [SPEAKER_03]: I have so many vulnerable moments now I would say you know whether it is doubting myself.

[00:15:21] [SPEAKER_03]: Like just doubting myself like why why am I on this podcast today like you know just.

[00:15:27] [SPEAKER_03]: I feel like things like that but I will just maybe share in this market where there's so many of us that are maybe struggling maybe you know really having to work incredibly hard to to stay where we're at.

[00:15:44] [SPEAKER_03]: Maybe questioning if this is the profession we want to be in and maybe starting to explore other areas.

[00:15:50] [SPEAKER_03]: I've been thinking about that a lot as I talk to other recruiters and I can remember.

[00:15:57] [SPEAKER_03]: Three different times in my career where I really had a maybe take a weekend take a long day and just really think about do I want to stay in this profession and really make a decision and really recommit to yes.

[00:16:12] [SPEAKER_03]: This is where I want to be yes this is what I want to continue to do yes it's going to be challenging yes I can do this so I think.

[00:16:22] [SPEAKER_03]: I think having vulnerable moments whether it is a setback from a layoff whether it is a setback from your role has decreased and these are things that have that have happened to me that have certainly then setbacks and have certainly made me feel.

[00:16:43] [SPEAKER_03]: Vulnerable you know certainly question my my ability my value and maybe initially thinking gosh this is the right profession for me do I need to do something else and taking time to reflect and every time.

[00:16:59] [SPEAKER_03]: I have come back with a very strong yes yes this is where I want to be the great profession it's providing me so many opportunities to.

[00:17:10] [SPEAKER_03]: To make a difference in organization as well as as candidates so.

[00:17:16] [SPEAKER_03]: It is really challenging right now I've been challenged you know in this this market but I am a big believer in staying optimistic.

[00:17:27] [SPEAKER_03]: I am I think having some resiliency in this in this time is is important so that was a perfect segue to actually the upcoming event that you have I'm going to pronounce it wrong.

[00:17:42] [SPEAKER_01]: I think that is a very important thing to do with the hip-do breath work to.

[00:17:45] [SPEAKER_01]: Yeah to help women with imposter syndrome that's perfect place for those that are feeling vulnerable in a similar situation.

[00:17:54] [SPEAKER_01]: I was actually talking to a partner this morning as sponsor and.

[00:18:00] [SPEAKER_01]: He said how much he loved what we're doing because he felt like in his leadership roles in TA he always felt like he really had to coach women on getting past the imposter syndrome.

[00:18:12] [SPEAKER_01]: And he was so shocking to him like in managing both men and women the women time after time after time would really struggle with the confidence and.

[00:18:22] [SPEAKER_01]: So he was you know really fascinated with what we were doing and you just very timely happening having an event so can you tell us very briefly what the event is about when is it.

[00:18:35] [SPEAKER_01]: How people could spend it.

[00:18:37] [SPEAKER_03]: I am personally so excited about this event happening September 7th it is a Saturday morning so it's going to be in one of our beautiful Seattle parks here and yeah imposter syndrome I personally I don't know that we ever get over it.

[00:18:55] [SPEAKER_03]: I think there are times in our life career that we might experience it and so I think tools like the session we're doing on September 7th can give us a tool tool belt of different resources so.

[00:19:09] [SPEAKER_03]: The event is going to be facilitated by cat who is not only a professional in talent acquisition but she's also a certified hypnobress and.

[00:19:24] [SPEAKER_03]: There are this we're consultant facilitator there we go sorry need to get the right word and so we are going to have a pretty relaxed morning where we're going to meet up in the park.

[00:19:35] [SPEAKER_03]: We are going to do a short walk we're going to go to an area kind of get our yoga mat our blankets kind of you know relax and then she's going to take us through a little exercise to help us.

[00:19:48] [SPEAKER_03]: Really send to ourselves focus ourselves to give us some tools on how to overcome or combat imposter syndrome.

[00:19:57] [SPEAKER_01]: Amazing so timely.

[00:20:00] [SPEAKER_01]: Well thank you for joining us it's always great spending time with you we actually just talked yesterday so two times in one week.

[00:20:09] [SPEAKER_01]: But thank you for being here we hope you have an amazing weekend and thank you for all you doing Seattle and for those tuning in thanks for listening to another inspiring woman in talent and we look forward to seeing you next week.

[00:20:24] [SPEAKER_01]: Thank you both very.

[00:20:26] [SPEAKER_01]: Bye.