• Business Strategy: Identify how changes in business strategy impact talent planning needs and help hiring managers make trade-offs between quality and speed • Relationship Management: Ensure hiring managers prioritize position requirements based on business need and challenge hiring managers about talent assumptions • Outside in Thinking: Educate hiring managers on trends in the labor market and use competitive analysis to understand hiring needs and recruiting practices of talent competitors • Sourcing/Pipelining: Know the best sourcing channels and messages to reach different candidate segments • Business Acumen: Have a deep understanding of strategic business priorities and how the organization makes money and communicate in the “language” of the business Analytical Rigor: Meet quarterly goals for time-to-fill, cost per hire, diverse candidate slates and required applicant tracking updates

For over two decades, VanderHouwen & Associates, Inc. (VHA) has been a premier staffing provider of professionals in the Pacific Northwest. While it might seem unusual for a rapid-deploy, results-driven business like ours to take that responsibility personally, we do. Our President’s work ethic not only serves as the foundation of our company, but drives the commitment to individual attention which infuses our culture. Our dedication is to the satisfaction and success of our clients and consultants. We’re committed to providing outstanding service to a uniquely demanding industry in a straightforward, ethical, highly personal, and always-responsive manner.

 Responsible for the full technical recruiting process to aid Microsoft vendor needs including sourcing, screening, submitting, and organizing all parts of the hiring process.  Sourcing and Screening using an internal database (keyword/Boolean), internet search engines (Boolean), Social Networking, (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter) for technical roles including: SDE, SDET, STE, DBE, Support Engineer/Analyst and Systems Engineer. Working closely with the client to determine their specified group needs; assist in presenting qualified candidates, coordinating interviews, and extending offers to candidates. Training and mentoring of new Recruiters by sharing my vast knowledge of the business, helping to ensure minimal ramp up time, as well as provide the guidance to learn the skills and intelligence to be a successful Recruiter. Proactively use Social Media (Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn) to generate candidate pool. Involved in Employee Relations issues and providing solutions.

 Achieve department volume and productivity goals by developing and executing a business plan. Develop marketing strategy to boost sales of most valuable vendors.  Analyze weekly/daily/monthly/yearly reports to decide how to merchandise the floor and what item/brand to make a focus for the day/week.  Focus on selling a monthly “Performance Item”. Developing a plan and presenting to Store Manager as well as have my team buy on to the plan.  Develop a plan to win, for upcoming events i.e., Half-Yearly Sale, Anniversary Sale, Pre-Sale and the Holiday Shopping Party. Research, analyze and determine the percent of increase that my department will aim to achieve based on previous year’s results and numbers.  Manage salespeople to meet or exceed their sales goals. Ensure salespeople are delivering outstanding customer service by coaching and leading my example. Teach sales people to be the expert with the use of product knowledge. Partner with Regional Merchandisers and Buyers to ensure customers have the best selection possible.  Responsible for the merchandising and presentation of the product. Ensure accurate inventory control and achieve shrinkage goals.  Identify and hire the best talent possible.

 Use directive selling to meet or exceed sales goals. Build Personal Trade by developing and maintaining relationships with customers. Ensure salespeople are delivering exceptional customer service by coaching them and leading by example. Assist the Department Manager in achieving department volume and productivity goals by developing and executing a business plan. Coach salespeople to meet or exceed their sales goals.  Knowledge of the product and expertise of fashion.  Partner with the Department Manager to ensure the customer receives the best quality, value and selection. Work with Department Manager to ensure merchandising and presentation standards are met. Assist the Department Manager in assuring accurate inventory and achieve shrinkage goals.

 Set and achieve personal selling goals.  Greet customers in an active timely manner. Build lasting relationships with customers. Work as a team to ensure best customer service possible.  Perform daily department maintenance.

 Gathered research to help with the development of Creative Briefs for client.  Managed and maintained research data, leveraging Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint. Collaborate with fellow Interns to create PowerPoint projects and then present them to the team.