Hi Sasha, thank you for joining us, both in this interview and at CPQi! We’re really excited to have you on the team and just wanted to get to know you a little better. First things first, how did you get into recruitment?
Thank you! I am genuinely so happy to have joined CPQi. I started my recruiting career at an agency in Calgary. I had been looking for a sales position and was introduced to recruitment through a friend – I did not know the first thing about it at the time, but I have always been a “people person” and the idea of getting to work with different people and help guide them through some of the most important decisions of their lives was what attracted me to it. Once I started, I knew I had found my calling!
Have you always worked in FinTech? Do you enjoy working in this industry?
CPQi is my first official FinTech company, but I have spent a few years recruiting and selling different skillsets within the FinTech family. I am loving the industry – sometimes it feels like I am learning a new language, but I am fascinated by the technology and how passionate the people who work in the industry are.
How does it feel to be one of the first people at CPQi working in our new Halifax base?
I am so excited! Halifax has a thriving tech community and I feel truly fortunate to be able to help CPQi build out our own footprint in a city I love and cherish.
What do you like to do for fun outside of work?
I spend a lot of time with my friends, family and my fiancé. We are getting married in 3 months, so a lot of my “to-do” list consists of wedding planning. I also love baking, cooking, exercising and being outside. Nova Scotia is such a beautiful province where there is always a new adventure waiting for you.
Baking? What’s your favorite thing to bake?
I specialize in cakes, cupcakes, cheesecakes and sugar cookies but I will always be a cheesecake girl at heart – my favorite is with homemade salted caramel sauce!
What drew you to CPQi?
I was looking for a recruiting position within tech and I came across CPQi. After my first interview I knew it was a company I wanted to work for – CPQi’s values matched mine and I loved the idea of being one of the first members in Halifax to help build our new Center of Excellence.
Do you have any advice for any young people looking to work in recruitment?
If you are someone who loves to meet new people while expanding your knowledge of different industries and skills, I can guarantee it is the right profession for you! Recruitment is such a rewarding career and even if you do not end up staying in it forever, you will learn valuable skills about networking and communication that I genuinely don’t think you could gain in another industry.
Do you have any tips or tricks for people looking for their next role?
Put yourself out there because the best things happen when you step outside of your comfort zone. Reach out to leaders in your ideal industry or role and ask them for advice – you would be surprised at how many people are willing to chat if you offer them a coffee!
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is updated and highlights your skillsets and career growth with a clear, professional, but inviting photo and always have an updated copy of your resume ready to send off when needed.
Lastly, rejection builds character. You are not going to be the perfect fit for every role you apply to so trust the process and be thankful for the opportunities that don’t work out – it is usually the universes’ way of pushing you towards the one that will. As the old saying goes, “One door closes so another can open”.
What are your plans for the future, where would you like to see yourself heading?
I am looking forward to what the future has in store for myself, and CPQi here in Halifax. We are just getting started but the possibilities are endless.
Is there anything you’ve really liked about CPQi since you started here?
Our team! I’ve felt so welcomed since the moment I started, it is evident that CPQi is a company that really values their team members and emphasizes personal growth and development.
