 What I do: Executive Director of Operations for Runzheimer International.
Runzheimer International has won the “Best Small and Medium Sized Companies to Work for in America” awards in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Approximately 60% of our customers are from the top Fortune 500 firms. We have also achieved “Excellence” level with Wisconsin Forward, the state equivalent of the Malcolm Baldridge Award, which has been very exciting for us and is something we are very proud of.
How I got my job: You will never believe this but I got this job based upon a resume that I sent out for my capstone course. I think over a year had passed when they called me for an interview. At that time, my current company was going through reorganization and I did not know whether or not I would be affected. After short consideration on the offer, I decided to minimize my risk and take the new position, which happens to also be just 4 miles from my home. As a result, I have a fabulous office overlooking a pond with all kinds of wild life, and a wonderful group of people that I work with at a place that truly is a great place to work. I love it here.
How I use my Alverno education: I think for me one of the abilities I have really been able to tap into as a leader here at Runzheimer that I haven't tapped into much in the past is Global Awareness. Runzheimer is very community oriented. Its community mission is "We will encourage and support our living and professional communities through education, stewardship, and an improved quality of life.” One of the programs we have here to support this community mission is something we call the Runzheimer Volunteer Program. Every employee in the company gets one paid day a year to volunteer in the community in some way. While I have always been a volunteer on my own, this has been a great opportunity to share my own global awareness with my employees and encourage action. It has also been fun and a great team building experience as well.
How I define career success: To me, success is the ability to love yourself, love others and love what you do. I find that the older and wiser I become, the more accepting I am of myself, the more patient I am with others and the more passionate I am about what I do. I take more risks. I listen more. I take more time for me and for those I love. I find that the more I learn and embrace new ways of thinking, the more I feel my self blossom and grow. That makes me feel successful.
Tips from the field: The portfolio makes a big difference. I can tell you that from my own experience (my employer was quite impressed) but also from my experience hiring others. Those who are well prepared and have specific examples to share, definitely stand out from all the rest. Also, a handwritten thank you, not an email, goes a long way to personalize your interview experience. It makes you stand out from others. It also shows initiative and what hiring manager doesn't love to see that? Last but not least, don't underestimate the power of networking, both within your own organization and outside of your organization. Find people you think can help mentor you in a variety of areas. Maybe one person is great with financials, another is great with people and someone else might be a great project manager. Tap into their strengths and experience and you can build your own. |
