Welcome to our KM Career Spotlight, where we sit down with a team member to discuss their career path and inspirational work at KellyMitchell. In this edition, we talked to Amy Zbaren, our Director of Strategic Accounts based in Seattle, WA. Amy helps connect our clients with top talent in fields including IT and retail. “There are so many nuances of this industry, but I have found that if you keep customer service as a core value, you will find success,” Amy said.
What led you to KM?
I graduated from the University of Missouri, Columbia, with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies. I knew I wanted to help others, and I thought I would go into counseling. Little did I know that I would change people’s lives by helping them find new careers.
I knew a couple friends from college who worked at KellyMitchell. They informed me the company was looking for an Administrative Assistant. I had just graduated college and was looking for a new opportunity, so I jumped at the chance to apply. After my first interview I was sold. I was hired shortly after.
How has your career progressed since you joined KM?
Quite a bit! I started at our headquarters in St. Louis, answering the phones and greeting applicants at the front desk because back then, online applications weren’t a thing. From there, I moved onto the HR team, where I learned so much about back-office operations. Eventually I wanted a new challenge, so I dove into recruiting. I spent several years there and loved it, but again I wanted a new challenge, so I moved over to the client side and into Account Management. From there I moved into Delivery Management, and now, I’m in Seattle as the Senior Director of Strategic Accounts.
Anytime I wanted a new challenge to advance my career, there was an internal need at KM and an opportunity that felt right for me. I have been able to grow my career here tremendously over the past 16 years. I could not be more thankful for the opportunities I’ve been given.
What do you most enjoy about working here?
The people! In all my years at KM, two things have remained constant: our fantastic people and culture. I Iove the people I work with, from our consultants to client partners to internal team members. I’ve had the opportunity to build some very special relationships over the years.
With all your experience, what are your main takeaways about the staffing industry?
No day is ever the same, which is probably what has kept me at KM all these years! I love a good challenge, and in staffing, there are so many ups and downs, and new problems to solve. We’re not just in the staffing industry; we’re in the industry of serving people, which makes this job both challenging and rewarding.
What advice do you have for people looking to join the staffing industry, particularly in sales? Never burn a bridge; You never know where someone may end up and when your paths may cross again. It’s amazing to see how consultants progress in their careers. Sometimes they transition into a permanent position with a client and become a buyer of our services, which really brings it full circle. Or, our client and MSP partners move from one company to another we work with, and we get to partner with them again.
There are so many nuances of this industry, but I have found that if you keep customer service as a core value, you will find success.
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