Our first Team Spotlight of 2022, and she’s a bright light!
Meet Jess – an HR Generalist with her finger on the pulse of the strategic value HR offers businesses in 2022. She’s passionate about helping leaders put their people at the forefront of the decision-making process, and takes a special interest in Benefits, Employee and Labour Relations, and Total Rewards and Compensation.
When she’s not at work, you might find Jess playing sweet music with her community concert band, or watching terribly predictable rom-coms. Music to our ears:)
1. Have you always wanted to be in HR? Tell us a bit about your career journey to land where you are today.
HR found me, and I'm so happy it did! I graduated with a combined honours degree in History and Anthropology, and by the time graduation came along, I knew my future was not in either of those fields. My first full time job after graduation was running the on-campus coffee shop at my alma mater. When I went to hire my team, I discovered there were no interview questions or training programs in place. I had the opportunity to build those (and more) from the ground up. I realized I was very good at writing policies and developing training programs and I could see myself being an HR professional as a career. I started taking HR classes at night, part time, and I haven’t looked back.
2. HR specialties/areas of focus/passions?
I love the diversity of being a generalist, where no two days are the same. I’m passionate about Employee and Labour Relations, and want to dive deeper into the areas of Total Rewards / Compensation and Benefits.
3. Career mentor/role model? Who and why?
My friend and mentor, Kelly. What made her instrumental in my professional growth and development was being open and honest about areas of excellence and areas for growth and development, and working together to make a plan to turn those growth areas into success areas. Kelly has been committed to seeing me achieve my goals, opening doors and removing barriers wherever possible. I look forward to being someone’s “Kelly” as I continue on my professional journey.
4. Looking ahead, what does the future of the HR function look like to you? How will workplaces shift and change?
The pandemic has highlighted the strategic value of HR, and our ability as a profession to pivot and reprioritize in a rapidly changing climate. With many industries permanently making the move to remote work, HR will play a strategic role in supporting companies hone their retention policies, as well as developing new ways to stand out in a job-seeker’s market.
5. The impact you hope to have on client workplaces.
I pride myself on being able to find the pain points in an organization, and my ability to propose and execute strategies to relieve those pressures. I look forward to supporting leaders, whether they are first time or C-Suite leaders, while keeping each client’s people at the forefront of the decision making process.
6. Words to live by. (Could be a motto, HR mantra, favourite quote etc.)
Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.
6. Your go-to, mid-week pick-me-up?
Spending a few hours rehearsing with my local community concert band, or watching a terribly predictable rom-com.
