My CORE Story by Lisa Wright

“Several years ago, I found myself searching for a new career – a fresh beginning. I felt like I could have more of an impact in my professional life and be happier all the while. I applied to many different job opportunities, filling out what seemed like endless applications and forms, taking assessments, etc. I had a few hits but nothing to write home about. Then, I got a life changing call on March 11th. I heard a voice say, “I received your resume, is now a good time to talk?” and I was so thrilled, I jumped up and down inside and exclaimed “Yes, of course!” trying not to sound too overly excited.

I HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME
My big, lovey dogs were being crazy, so I went outside barefooted and then it happened. I stepped directly on a small stump right in the middle of my foot arch. OOOOOOUCH! I let out what I thought was a muted cry and the nice lady on the phone asked, “Are you sure this is a good time?”. So, I say in my head “Get it together Lisa, this could be it!” and I composed myself and happily completed a 30-minute phone interview with the next step being a face to face interview tomorrow. I learned right then and there, The Resource doesn’t mess around!
Recruiter Side Note: Companies shouldn’t take their time, since candidate ‘time on the market’ is growing shorter and shorter, especially now.

That evening, I proceeded to freak out. I had never really interviewed for a job before. Ok, I had one time at a Best Western in Minnesota when I was 16 years old. I bombed the question “Why do you want this job?” with the answer of “Because my Mom is making me.” Haha! I can look back and laugh at that, but I knew walking out of that door, that I didn’t get the job (not that I really wanted it).

SORRY MOM
Fast forward to 2015 –a quick shopping trip to Kohl’s for a cute interview outfit, picked out by my now husband (thanks babe!) and later that evening…Google, of course. I searched ‘How to Nail an Interview’ and read all sorts of stuff. I was feeling a bit overwhelmed, so I decided that I was just going to pray about it and go in there and be myself.

THE VERY NEXT DAY
I arrived at the corporate office in Winston Salem at 1:20pm for my 1:30pm appointment. I waited for about 3 or 4 minutes and then Tonya came out to greet me. She was the nice lady who called me the day before. She made me feel comfortable from the get-go and reminded me of my best friend back home whose name was Tanya (pronounced like TAN-ya). She led me down a curved hallway, with cool flooring, beautiful walls with fun colored paint, and introduced me to the President, Kathy, as well as the VP of Operations, Todd.

ALL FOUR OF US SIT DOWN
I felt unusually calm, cool and collected, partly because my Mom’s name is Kathy, and the President I was sitting in front of is Kathy, and she has to be a good person with that name, right? The interview begins. Kathy began by introducing herself and explaining a bit of history about the company. I had done some research on my own as well, but at the time the website was a little confusing (it’s not anymore though – whew!). Then she asked me about the CORE assessment I had taken and my thoughts about it. I vaguely remembered it, since I was doing all sorts of applications, so I was hesitant and said something like “I don’t really recall” and she then started to explain my results.

HI, MY NAME IS LISA AND I’M A MERCHANT/BANKER
I was blown away by what she was telling me. It was like Kathy jumped into my head and reviewed my entire life story before this interview. Feeling very vulnerable, I listened intently. She went on about how the Merchants core value is LOVE and about how relationships, feeling love and vision are all very important. Yes, 100% it is! The Banker being my secondary energy means that facts, knowledge and proof are probably critical before I make a move, as well.

OMGOODNESS KATHY, GET OUTTA MY HEAD
So, I am thinking to myself, how fitting it is that I am prepared for the “weakness” question with my answer of being “I’m a perfectionist”. I like order, I need order, I love processes, I love people, I love love. I like to talk and listen, read and analyze. Classic Merchant/Banker qualities. I need to be able to see the big picture. It all makes so much sense now! I am rather certain after she was done telling me all about myself (haha), my jaw was on the floor.

Kathy went on to say that my results matched the CORE “Blueprint” aka “Top Performer Profile” for a Recruiter. I was a little thrown off at this point, since I had applied for the Account Manager role. Not really knowing what all the Recruiter role entailed, they went on to explain what a recruiter did on a day-to-day basis. Hmm – I was intrigued. Maybe I could do that. I had no clue what I was getting into honestly, no clue on what all staffing consisted of, so many thoughts.

SO MANY QUESTIONS
I came from eleven years of Textiles Manufacturing…how is this Recruiter role applicable? These were all the thoughts running through my mind. Ok Lisa, stay focused. After an hour and forty-five minutes passed, we were shaking hands and going our separate ways. My first interview complete. I went straight home and read the entire CORE email to try to learn everything about myself. The next day, the offer came. I accepted, I resigned my previous job, and was pumped for this new season of my life!

APRIL FOOLS DAY
April 1st, 2015 was my first day in my new job, and there were no jokes about it! I received a LOT of training. Weeks and weeks of training, all of which the Banker side of me appreciated because after all, I need facts people! Everyone was very helpful and so nice to me throughout this process.

THEN IT HIT ME
I had to apply all this stuff I was learning and actually recruit, screen, interview, match, orientate and successfully fill job orders with people! DB Schenker is what I lived and breathed for the next year. It was a challenge, to say the least. So many hoops to jump through, a ton of special requirements, not to mention, the company is in the middle of nowhere (Browns Summit). Oh, and we needed 12 qualified people completed through all the steps and ready for the new start class every other Monday.

IT WAS CRAZY!
In hindsight, I was so thankful to work on this account first. The main reason is because it made literally every other job fill seem relatively easy. Almost like learning to play pool on a snooker table that’s 12 feet long, with smaller playing balls and rounded pockets, where you have to hit it exactly in the pocket or the ball will bobble out and remain on the table – then going to a 7 foot bar table with regular pockets where you don’t have to be perfect to make it in, just close.

CAN YOU TELL I LIKE PLAYING POOL?
In the midst of all the chaos of everything DB Schenker, we had a companywide required training session for all staff. It was an off-site location in Winston Salem, I think a bank office or something like that. I remember it was cold that day, so I wore a fluffy faux fur vest and some cute boot wedges. After eating a lovely catered meal, we did a fun CORE activity. It included Kenneth and Kathy, along with others, acting out each energy and different situations, etc. This particular day sticks out because they held an award ceremony. There was a “Steady Eddy” award and Rob, a Winston Industrial Account Manager, won (of course – he was the definition of steady for sure). Then they announced the next award.

ROOKIE RECRUITER OF THE YEAR
They called out the nominees and said my name! Holy moly, I couldn’t believe it! My heart was beating out of my chest, then Todd opened the card and announced the winner…. LISA KARBOWSKI! Yes, that was my last name before getting married.

I’M BLOWN AWAY
First of all, because I wasn’t even thinking I would be a contender. Secondly, I’m listed in the same group as another Recruiter WHO IS SO GREAT! And thirdly, I have never been a recruiter before and really didn’t think I was even that good. But there it was, a frame-worthy piece of paper with my name on it, along with a fluffy pullover fleece with our new logo and a $50 gift card. All this because I matched a blueprint for this role? Yes, plus I had good training (thanks CW).

SO COOL
A couple years into the whole Recruiter thing, I was graciously promoted to be a Lead Recruiter in the Greensboro branch. I enjoyed the extra challenges that this came with, and even the aches and pains of growing and changing. Fast forward 4 years to 2019 and here I am, telling you my CORE story.

At some point along the way, I sent the CORE Assessment to my friends and family to take and even tried to predict what they would be (I got some right, believe it or not). It helped my parents understand each other better and helped me learn more about the ones I care about the most. That’s priceless stuff folks – and I would encourage anyone at whatever stage in your life you’re in, wherever you are right now, to take it.

DO IT
I speak to this entire system on a daily basis, I use it to learn and be mindful of my interactions with co-workers, my words and handling all the emotions that come along with that. This knowledge has been a game changer for me. It’s an easy 10-minute assessment where you can learn, grow and honor yourself, as well as others in your life. Whether it’s your professional or personal life, people will always be a constant. Why not make the most of it?

Thank you to The Resource, for believing in me and my CORE and for enabling me to be my best self.”

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