Discussing Direct Hire Staffing with Senior Recruiter Heather Parham

Curious about the role of a recruiter? Join us as we delve into the insights of Heather Parham, a seasoned, senior direct hire recruiter at FootBridge with experience on both the client and agency sides. Gain a glimpse into her daily routine, discover her passion for the job, and get useful candidate tips. 

Question: How did you get into recruiting? 

Heather: My journey has been an interesting one, to say the least. Nobody goes to college with the intention of becoming a recruiter, but my path led me to this fulfilling career through serendipitous events. After graduating from high school, I worked as a veterinary technician for a decade, where I discovered my passion for animals and my ease in customer-facing roles. However, balancing work with my family life proved to be a challenge when my children were born. It was during this time that an old colleague suggested a career change to me. I eventually found myself working for an agency as a recruiter and from there, I transitioned to a corporate talent acquisition role. Now I’m back on the agency side of recruiting and truly enjoying it.

Question: What do you enjoy most about recruiting? 

Heather: One of the things I cherish most about my job is the constant opportunity for personal growth. Whether it’s discovering a company pioneering advancements in the energy sector or encountering a candidate with an intriguing career, I relish hearing about the latest developments across our country. However, what truly excites me is conversing with the candidates themselves, and learning about their unique stories and experiences. It’s an honor to know that the work we do doesn’t just involve jobs, but rather career opportunities that can transform someone’s life.

Question: You’ve worked in a variety of industries, how did you learn about what FootBridge has to offer? 

Heather: Although there was undoubtedly a learning curve when it came to comprehending the nuances of nuclear power and commercial construction positions. However,  my colleagues – both fellow recruiters and managers – were instrumental in educating me on the technical aspects of the job. Additionally, working with well-established companies with strong brand recognition has proven advantageous in effectively promoting opportunities.

Question: In your experience, how does a staffing agency like FootBridge complement the role of a corporate recruiter? 

Heather: Contrary to popular belief, we are not in competition with one another. During my time working in corporate recruiting, partnering with staffing agencies proved to be essential due to the high number of job vacancies that needed to be filled. My role involved various tasks, such as sourcing candidates, onboarding new hires, training hiring managers, and creating job descriptions. Given the enormity of these responsibilities, it was difficult to maintain a steady candidate pipeline. Thus, having someone who was wholly dedicated to sourcing, screening, and hiring reliable candidates was a tremendous help. 

Question: Explain the collaboration process between corporate and agency recruiters.

Heather: Working with FootBridge means, corporate recruiters and hiring managers gain access to my extensive market knowledge and a continuous flow of qualified candidates. Unlike those who only engage with candidates temporarily, I constantly nurture relationships with potential hires, ensuring a steady supply of talent to meet the needs of our clients. While corporate recruiters may also cultivate candidate pools, they can be constrained by their industry specialization, which limits their scope and diversity of candidates.

Question: Are there any recruiting misconceptions you want to speak about? 

Heather: Recruiters have been criticized by some for being too focused on sales and unresponsive. However, FootBridge takes a different approach as we are committed to relationship management. We prioritize timely responses and act as an advocate for our candidates. Our dedication to communication extends to providing feedback to all applicants, whether or not they secure an interview. Although we may not currently have a role that matches a candidate’s skill set, we believe in keeping the lines of communication open and fostering a close connection with our talent pool.

Question: What makes a great candidate?

Heather: I seek out individuals who are keen on engaging in conversation with me, while also exhibiting mutual respect. It’s important to me that they are invested and well-informed, and come prepared with inquiries about the company they may potentially work for. This allows me to gauge whether this opportunity aligns with their cultural values and work-life balance.

Question: Finally, any job search advice for candidates?

Heather:  Yes, don’t be afraid to respond to a recruiter when they reach out to you, whether it be a voicemail or LinkedIn message. It’s a great opportunity to learn about something new and make a connection that you could benefit from in the future.

Are you looking for your next challenge? The FootBridge Company believes in creating an energetic, fast-paced atmosphere with uncapped earning potential. We offer:

• A flexible work schedule
• Unlimited PTO
• Tremendous opportunities for growth

Call or email us if you or someone you know is interested at (877) 807-8400 or jsquires@footbridgecompany.com