Tracy went from being a recruitment firm employee to the CEO of her own company
We recently asked our CEO, Tracy Arno, what inspired her to create Essence Recruitment. Here’s what she had to say. Her answers may surprise you.
Why did you decide to open Essence Recruitment?
Not only did I want to own my own business, but I also wanted to make a difference in the recruitment industry. I wanted to focus on the right fit and culture and finding someone who aligns with an organization. Even though I run a for profit business, the focus has always been on the human touch in a human business.
Why the name ‘Essence’?
It took me a long time to find the right name for my business. I spent a lot of time going through words to find the right name and asking for advice from friends and family. It finally hit me that essence was the right fit because of the definition of it. A person would not exist without their essence, and that’s why I chose that name.
What makes Essence Recruitment so unique?
After I opened Essence, I took away operational processes and started spending time finding out how I can meet people and to get to know them. I wanted to interact with the individual and to build a relationship. I didn’t want just to ask a candidate what their career goals were, I wanted to find out their passions and what their overall values are. This really allows me to understand what their career goals and expectations are. This was the same as I was building my client base. My goal was to be their partner and to build long term relationships by getting to know their company’s goals, values and culture.
As an expert in the industry, I felt it is part of my role to give advice on talent management, not to just forward resumes off to employers. It not only assures the correct fit, but it is also an integral part of the Essence Experience.
Why is finding cultural fit so important?
You carefully select your significant other and the people you choose to be around. Whether you are an employer or an employee, you spend more time at work which is why it is essential to carefully select the right workplace that aligns with your values. You want your workplace culture to be a positive experience. The people you interact with daily control whether you’ll have a positive or negative workspace. If you are not motivated, feeling stressed on Sunday because you have to go to work the next day then it’s probably not the right fit for you anymore.
Note from Tracy Arno
With almost 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry, I’ve worked with organizations that drive and lead positive work cultures focusing on their team, and I have also seen the opposite. I would recommend the former. I love helping people, and I want to utilize my experience and skills to make a positive difference in people’s lives.
Tracy Arno
