EDITOR’S NOTE: Learn more about the people behind recruitAbility. We’re profiling each of our employees to shed light on their career paths, what they do in their free time, lessons they’ve learned, and much more. View all profiles here.
Our latest employee Q&A is with Lisa Thompson, recruitAbility’s technical recruiting manager. A Texas A&M alumna and mother of two active children (ages 12 & 13), Lisa has 20 years of experience in the recruiting industry.
Lisa lists “Shawshank Redemption” as her all-time favorite movie, and away from work, she enjoys spending quality time outdoors with family and friends.
Why did you pursue a career in recruiting?
For 18 months after graduating from college, I traveled around the world with my sister. It was a life-changing experience. We were welcomed into homes with no roofs for dinner in East Africa. We climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and trekked through the Himalayas. I met Mother Teresa in India. I swam with sharks in Tahiti, and I spent three months picking fruit in Australia.
That adventure taught me how much I love to connect with people from different countries and backgrounds. Recruiting allows me to do that. It’s like a combination of being a treasure hunter and a matchmaker. There’s never a boring day.
Also, to give you some context on my career in recruiting, when I first got started, we used to call and fax everything, including resumes. Obviously, the business is now much more online, and we use social media. But it’s still largely a referral-based business.
What is your area of expertise in recruiting?
I specialize in software and IT recruiting. I spend most of my time working with clients and companies in the tech industry.
What is the toughest lesson you’ve learned in the recruiting industry?
In recruiting, there are lots of ebbs and flows. Sometimes it’s easy and you are making tons of money, and other times it’s hard and you’re broke 🙂 Fortunately, I’ve experienced more of the former than the latter.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work in Austin?
I’m adventurous. I love standup paddleboarding, hiking, going out to dinner (pre-COVID), traveling with family, and laughing with friends. The best part about living in Austin is the lakes, rivers, trees, and live music.
How are you passing the time in quarantine?
I’m taking lots of walks with my kids and my dog. Also, we’re ordering delivery from Via 313, our favorite pizza place in Austin.
What are the biggest mistakes you see candidates make when negotiating job offers?
Frequently, I see candidates start off by asking for a certain salary. But when the offer arrives, the candidate’s expectations go through the roof and change drastically compared to their initial salary range.
What is your advice to companies trying to attract and retain talent?
If you want the best and the brightest people working for you, be flexible. For instance, allow for flex hours and let people work remotely. These things are important to people. Also, if you identify a fantastic candidate that checks all of the boxes, don’t lowball them. Companies never win that way.
What is your favorite part about working at recruitAbility?
I really enjoy working with Nad Elias. I’ve worked for Nad for years. He has so many contacts in the industry, and he’s a great salesperson. I also love the schedule flexibility.
