Employee Spotlight: Sarah Ableson is the Face of Brightwing’s T-Rex

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For May, we’re featuring Sarah, our VMS Account Support Manager at our Detroit branch.

 

What tips would you give a jobseeker in today’s market?

Sarah Ableson Employee Spotlight

Be your authentic self in every step of the process, and remember you are interviewing this employer just as much as they are interviewing you – you want to make sure this role is the right one for you!

 

What tips would you give an employer/client in today’s market?

Act fast! We are currently in a candidate driven market and most of these candidates will not be around long.

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

There has never been a training or a seminar that I was interested in where Brightwing did not support my attendance. I have always felt that if I wanted a particular training it would be easy to obtain.

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Ask all the questions! Don’t worry about being a “bother” – we are here to help and share our experience.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?

This is a tough one, we have a lot of fun here, but running around the office in a blow-up T-rex costume and singing Happy birthday to our Director of Finance comes to mind! There are pictures somewhere as evidence!

 

What motivates you?

My family!

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Canary Islands in Spain

 

Fun fact?

I own a self-inflating T-Rex costume just for fun!

 

Employee Spotlight: Kristen Doll on Turning Challenges into Growth

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For April, we’re featuring Kristen, the Graphic Design Coordinator at our Detroit branch!

 

Kristen Doll Employee SpotlightWhat do you love most about working at Brightwing?

What I love most about working at Brightwing is definitely the people. I have some friends that have horror stories about their coworkers, and I can’t say the same. Everyone here truly acts as a family and it really makes coming to work enjoyable.

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing is always encouraging me to further my career goals, whether that be through training course opportunities or just through my everyday work. Looking back to where I was at three years ago when I started makes me realize how much I have learned…and I have Brightwing to thank for that.

 

Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.

There has been a lot of change in my department since I started here. Every time a new change came, it started with an uneasy feeling on my end, but always resulted in me digging deeper and facing challenges to learn something new. I learned to stay positive and be thankful for the growth opportunities.

 

What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

Tennis! Counting down the days until the cold weather is officially gone so I can get back on the courts.

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Motivated, organized and easy going.

 

What motivates you?

Beating the recruiters in cards every day at lunch (more specifically, Justin and Jason).

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Anywhere that’s 80 degrees with a beach. I’m a frequent Florida visitor.

 

Fun fact?

I went to high school with Eminem’s daughter.

 

Employee Spotlight: Adam Stern

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For January, we’re featuring Adam, one of our Lead Recruiters at our Pittsburgh branch!

 

Adam Stern

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?
I love the people! I’ve got the best boss who supports me both personally and professionally and since I’m in a satellite office, I always look forward to rattling everyone’s cage up at HQ!

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?
There are so many road blocks and challenges in this industry, but by keeping an even keel you can ride the highs without wallowing in the lows. You’ve just got to keep on keeping on!

 

Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.
Moving from Detroit to Pittsburgh was a definite challenge. Leaving my entire network and pipeline behind to go open a new office, in a new city, was daunting. We’re building this office brick by brick, placement by placement, and turning it into something incredible.

 

What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

 

What 3 words best describe you?
Enthusiastic, passionate, approachable

 

What motivates you?
My wonderful wife, the daily opportunity to become the best I can be, and of course dolla dolla bills y’all.

 

Visit Adam’s Profile

 

 

Employee Spotlight: Rachel Harris

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For December, we’re featuring Rachel, one of our Senior Recruiters down at our Detroit branch!

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

I love the people, both my co-workers and the contractors/clients we serve.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  • Adaptable – You have to be able to manage continuously changing priorities, and you have to be willing to roll with organizational changes.
  • Team-oriented – It’s much easier (and much more fun) to work as a team!
  • Hungry – For one, we eat a lot, especially around the holidays. Two, like many other careers, you have to want to do this and be hungry for success.

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing has gone out of their way time and time again to support my personal and professional goals. Whether it’s paying for industry seminars, or giving us the flexibility to take time off for events that are important to us.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?

A couple of years ago at our internal holiday party, one of my co-workers, Adam Stern, dressed as Elf for our excursion to downtown Detroit. At one point, a guy dressed as Santa got out of a limo, and Adam runs toward him screaming “SANTA! I KNOW HIM!”

 

Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.

Probably the biggest challenge I’ve had was switching careers – what do you do after teaching for 12 years? Really, I just applied for roles I thought were interesting and at companies that were intriguing. That process connected me with the people that set me on my current track.

 

What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

The “old lady” in me loves to crochet in the winter and golf horribly in the summer.

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Persistent, Organized, Impatient

 

What motivates you?

Right now, college tuition bills! Generally, my family. We don’t buy “stuff,” but we enjoy going to concerts, shows, athletic events, etc. and going out for good food.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The beach, hands down. I love the sun, the sand, and the sea

 

Fun fact?

Banging your head against the wall burns 150 calories/hour!

 

Visit Rachel’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Emily Melton

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.


For October, we’re featuring Emily, one of our Senior Recruiters down at our Dallas, Texas, branch!

 

emily melton

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

I love how family oriented Brightwing is. You’ve got fathers and sons, siblings, mothers and daughters, all working together for the same company. It’s really cool to see, but it also heavily contributes to a healthy work-life balance. The staff at Brightwing know how important all of our families are and they do a good job to make sure our time is never taken advantage of.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  • Relationship Driven
  • Perseverance
  • Honesty

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing does a great job propelling their employees towards growth. I love how they say that “success and growth begin at the end of your comfort zone”. They have done a really nice job pushing me to move outside of my comfort zone to try something new. They have encouraged me to set goals, both professionally and personally, and I work hard to reach them. They will even reimburse educational classes if I decide to pursue additional schooling!

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Stay true to who you are. Be yourself. Be honest. Have integrity. Truly care and listen to what people have to say.

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Encourager, Task-Oriented, Faithful

 

What motivates you?

God and my faith, my husband and my children, and setting goals for myself.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Italy

 

Visit Emily’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Jeff Genovich

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For October, we’re featuring Jeff, one of our Managing Partners down at our Texas branch! Jeff is one of Brightwing’s best examples of our core value Always Be Growing—he was one of two employees to uproot their lives for a chance to establish and run an entirely new branch back in 2014. We’re unbelievably proud of him and the entire Texas team for the incredible growth and success they’ve seen since then!

 

Jeff Genovich Employee SpotlightWhat 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  1. Persistence
  2. Accountability
  3. Being a team player

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

This is definitely not an easy job, but I feel the most important thing to do when you’re starting in this industry is to focus on developing good habits from the beginning. Plan your days, weeks, and months out—focus on habits first—and the results will follow.

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing has always given me the opportunity to excel in my career goals, which in turn allows me to work on my personal goals. It’s been my experience that if you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone, work hard, and build good habits, Brightwing will reward you with opportunities.

 

They understand the unique circumstances of starting and operating a new branch in Texas. For me and the other Managing Partner of this branch, our families and support systems are almost entirely back in Michigan. Brightwing gets that and always keeps my personal goals in mind because of that.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I’d go to Fiji—that’s an easy one. I love the surfing and the beaches, and I’ve always wanted to stay in one of those cabanas over the water.

 

Fun fact?

This month I’m taking a 30-hour train trip to Michigan to stand up in my brother-in-law’s wedding with my 8-month-pregnant wife and our 2-year-old daughter.

 

Visit Jeff’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Matt Glynn

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

Matt is our featured employee for September! We love Matt for a lot of reasons, but his dedication to building relationships and willingness to get involved in internal projects are some of our favorite qualities. He’s always willing to provide valuable industry insight, and we are so grateful for his knowledge and experience. 

 

Matt GlynnWhat do you love most about working at Brightwing?

I love the people and the energy they bring with them every day. There’s a common interest in doing whatever it takes to help our clients, our candidates, and each other be successful.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  1. Authenticity
  2. Persistence
  3. A genuine interest in helping others

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

The organization does a great job of encouraging both personal and professional growth. We are constantly forced out of our comfort zones, yet there is an incredible amount of support and guidance from the leadership team along the way.

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Be patient and be consistent. This industry is full of ups and downs, but if you build good habits and fill your day with quality conversations, success will follow.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?

Tough question . . . I think Adam Stern showing up for the Christmas party in the Elf costume is up there.

 

Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.

I would say the toughest time for me, like so many others, came in 2008. I had joined Brightwing right before the recession and as rumors started to swirl about the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies. Nobody knew what to expect and even as a new employee, I could see there were real concerns about the long-term viability of not only this business, but the industry in general.

 

Fortunately, I was able to lend my services to our Texas team remotely and support several major clients down there—companies that were seemingly recession-proof. We certainly had some challenges with one of those clients, but along with another colleague in the Michigan office we were able to really establish a true partnership including weekly governance calls, scheduled candidate feedback, and pinning down top priorities. It took some out-of-the-box sourcing, constant communication, and me begging for referrals, but we made a lot of placements in their strategic planning group.

 

What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

I love to golf, even though I’m not a “golfer”. I like to think I get good value—paying way less per swing . . .

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Genuine, Hardworking, Listener

 

What motivates you?

The success of the team.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

The Great Barrier Reef.

 

Fun fact:

I am on a seemingly never-ending quest to fine chicken wings better than Sweetwaters. I haven’t come close but am ALWAYS open to suggestions!

Employee Spotlight: Susie Piper

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

Susie PiperThis month it’s all about Susie Piper, our HR Generalist. She’s your source for information on benefits, 401(k), or other general employment topics. Susie is a critical member of our team because she takes care of open enrollment every spring, as well as many of the background tasks for clients and candidates to make sure their employment starts smoothly. We are extremely grateful for Susie’s hard work and dedication to helping others!

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

It’s not just a work family but an extended family. Everyone is supportive and wants you to succeed, and they’ll push you outside your boundaries to help you grow. Plus, they make it fun!

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Dedicated, Honest, Organized

 

What motivates you?

My faith and family.

 

What advice would you give to new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Be willing to try a new approach to what you’re doing. Be persistent, have integrity, and have fun!

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Thailand, where my mother was born.

 

Fun fact?

In middle school, I participated in a student exchange program in France.

 

Visit Susie’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Steve Ermak

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

Steve ErmakThis month, we’re featuring Steve, one of our Business Development Managers. Steve does a great job of understanding both the clients and candidates he works with to make the best possible culture and skills fit. His expertise and drive help motivate us all.

 

What is one of your favorite hobbies outside of work?

  • Fishing, for sure, and kayaking. I love going out on Lake St. Clair or any lakes up in Northeast Michigan.
  • Spending time with my wife and son.
  • Brewing beer is always a hobby, more so in the wintertime though.

 

Tell me about one of the biggest career challenges you’ve faced and how you overcame it.

I would say it was jumping into the world of Engineering and not knowing anything about that world when I first started here. In this position, the candidates and clients I work with are all engineers, and I wanted to be fluent in their industry to provide the best possible help.

 

I overcame this by having as many conversations as possible with engineers to truly understand what their day-to-day looks like, what common Engineering acronyms and terms mean, and the challenges they generally face. After a while, it all became second nature to me.

 

What is one of your favorite memories of your time so far at Brightwing?

I think it was the first holiday party I got to attend. I’d been here for a few months at this point and had a good grasp on the environment here, but this really cemented my view of Brightwing’s culture—what we are all about and what the leadership is all about.

 

What motivates you?

Success and helping people. I love solving people’s problems on both sides of the staffing equation—finding the perfect match for clients and helping candidates discover a great new opportunity to start the next chapter of their lives.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Alaska. I’d love to rent an RV and drive out there with my wife and son for three months. We’d go fishing, sightseeing—I’ve just always wanted to go there.

 

Visit Steve’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Carol Koskyn

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Carol KoskynWe’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

For the month of May, we’re featuring Carol! Carol is unique in that after working in our marketing department for 13 years, she moved into a completely different department and role—and she’s been killing it since day one. We’re excited to share a little more about her!

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

The people who work here and the support you get from your colleagues. It really is a team effort, and everyone wants to see you succeed.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  1. Taking chances
  2. Working hard
  3. Integrity

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing always pushes you to think outside of the box. Managers and the executive team always listen to any ideas and thoughts you have, and they support learning and growing both personally and professionally.

 

Tell me about a time you had to go outside of your comfort zone at work and what was the outcome.

For me, it was changing positions after 13 years to do something completely different and something I was not very familiar with. The change was a good thing, and I find the last three years have been even more fulfilling.

 

What motivates you?

Working with a team that shares the same vision and desire to grow professionally and that gives the best part of themselves on a daily basis. This makes me want to strive to do and be my best so I don’t let my team down.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Shaviyani Atoll, Maldives.

 

Visit Carol’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Justin Hochstein

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We’re here with another installment in our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

Justin is our featured employee for March. He’s one of our Senior Recruiters and has one of the longest tenures here—a whopping 18 years. He’s seen the highs and the lows of the recruiting and staffing industry, so if anyone knows how to navigate it, it’s Justin.

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing? 

The people I work with are all passionate and care about each other.

 

What is it about Brightwing that attracted you to work here? 

Well, it’s not the coffee.

 

What qualities make someone successful at Brightwing? 

  1. The ability to build and maintain relationships
  2. Putting yourself in the shoes of the person you are trying to help
  3. Loving life
  4. A work-hard, play-hard attitude!

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing? 

Never put your agenda ahead of those you are serving.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing? 

Maybe it’s not the funniest, but the fondest memory has to be meeting George, Brightwing’s President, at a bar in Detroit after a Red Wings game—it’s led to my 18-year career here.

 

What 3 words best describe you? 

Competitive, Passionate, and Shy (but not really—I’m a recruiter).

 

What’s your morning routine? 

Shower, coffee, morning news, and the horrendous 8-minute commute to the office.

 

What motivates you? 

A strong desire to help others with their career aspirations.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? 

I’d go to Poland to visit the home where my grandparents lived before they immigrated to the U.S.

 

Visit Justin’s Profile

 

Employee Spotlight: Ryan Borra

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This is the first installment of our Employee Spotlight series! Each blog in this monthly series will introduce you to a different member of our team—giving you a peek into what makes us tick as a company and as individuals.

 

This month, we’re featuring Ryan, Brightwing’s 2017 Employee of the Year. He’s exemplified what it means to be a Brightwinger in so many ways—how could we not pick him first? Thanks, Ryan!

 

What do you love most about working at Brightwing?

It’s the people and the growth opportunity that is offered. We have a very unique culture that includes many outgoing and driven individuals who strive to better themselves every day. You can see this in the growth potential evident in all aspects of our business.

 

What is it about Brightwing that attracted you to work here?

The family-oriented culture and the “work-hard, play-hard” atmosphere. Along with the work-hard culture, there is a tremendous opportunity to further yourself personally and financially.

 

What 3 qualities make someone successful at Brightwing?

  1.    1. Being driven by staying focused and committed
  2.    2. The ability to adjust to changes in the marketplace
  3.    3. Willingness to challenge the status quo

 

How does Brightwing support your career and personal goals?

Brightwing gives me the opportunity to develop myself professionally and personally. It is not always about work; management also cares about your personal life and how it impacts you on a professional level. Brightwing’s management wants you to develop goals that will not only make for a better employee, but a better person.

 

What advice would you give new recruiters and salespeople at Brightwing?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions—executives practice an open-door policy for a reason. They want you to develop yourself, but you can’t sit around waiting to be told what to do.

 

What is your funniest memory of your time so far at Brightwing?

Camp Brightwing! Having employees from all our locations in one place is a lot of fun. Bringing everyone together leads to an endless number of funny and friendly memories. Even better, I also get to see my brother, who is at our Texas branch.

 

Tell me about a time you had to go outside of your comfort zone at work and what was the outcome. 

I would say when I was training to be an account support; I stepped out of my comfort zone while supporting a fellow business development manager. We had weekly updates with our client. Without notice, my colleague put me on the spot and asked me to give the update to our client’s executive team.  My colleague was training me to think on my feet, and because I had invested so much time in recruiting for and managing the account, I had no problem running the client through our recruiting update and our plans for the following week.

 

What do you hope to accomplish in your next 12 months at Brightwing?

My goal for the next 12 months is to establish Brightwing in the Pittsburgh market as a go-to firm for the finance and accounting industry.

 

What 3 words best describe you?

Driven, Attentive, Honest

 

What’s your morning routine?

My morning routine begins with getting to the office early! I like to run through our weekly and monthly goals to see where we stand, and then decide on the daily tasks for the office. Of course, I like to do this while enjoying my breakfast and coffee.

 

What motivates you?

I am motivated by SUCCESS! I move fast and need to accomplish every task that is set in front of me. I need to turn my success into a motivator for myself personally and for those around me.

 

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

If I could go anywhere it would be Dublin, Ireland. I am part Irish and would like to see Ireland, including the castles, museums, and churches. Since Scotland would be close by, a side trip to play some golf would be awesome—because I am obsessed with golf.

 

Fun fact:

I love saltwater fish. I grew up raising goldfish; in fact, a tiny goldfish that I bought in high school grew to be the size of a large coffee cup. When I moved to Pittsburgh, I gave him away to a friend who had a dozen fish tanks. My dream is to have a saltwater tank, and one day I will reward myself with one.

 

Visit Ryan’s Profile