2021 Nashville Vatopia Qualifiers

Alex Naddell

Technology

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: I listened to my clients and tried to give them as close to what they asked for as possible. When I didn't feel like I had a match, I communicated with them so that together we could come up with an approach or strategy that would get them across the finish line. I did the same with my recruiting team and worked collaboratively on my clients' needs.

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: I worked with a client to staff up a team of mostly unemployed call center associates on a COVID-related engagement with the state of Mississippi. It was very gratifying to employ several folks who had been out of work due to COVID-19.

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: All of the matches with a 100% onsite requirement have been extremely challenging thus far in 2021.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: Seeing all of my Vaco family and friends. Missing last year was very painful; it will be like a homecoming!

Kaylee Osland

Accounting & Finance

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: We worked as a team and recruited. Focusing on consistent recruiting in this candidate-driven market is the key!

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: That is such a tough question as every match is so meaningful! I was lucky enough to place one of my very best friends (from back to my college days!) in a dream job that matches her desire to be extremely challenged and give back to the community.

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: Gosh, I don’t know a specific one, but it is really tough to find great Staff and Senior Accountants and Analysts in this market. Do you know anyone looking? Ha!

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: Celebrating with Vaco family from around the world! We haven’t been together since Cabo January 2020, so I know we are all more than ready. I’m also excited to bring my fiancé, Raoul, to Vatopia for the first time!

Ashley Wilkinson

HR & Administration

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: I always keep my weekly commission report from previous years so I can compare week to week where I’m at (if I’m ahead of myself from the previous year, am I behind or on target). I’m a pretty competitive person, especially with myself, so having that hard data helps keep me on track.

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: It’s only July right now so there’s more to come, but I’d have to say Julie Fonzo with Firestone. We worked together for a LONG time and she helped us with a contract role at BMI as well. She stuck by me and we found her the perfect gig! She’s killing it out there and I’m so happy we stuck it out. 😊

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: We had a procurement role come through that was a “purple squirrel” role and thankfully, I like to talk to EVERYONE – whether we have a role for them right then or not. I had a candidate that had worked with Sandra in the past who was perfect! She actually received the official offer while I was out on leave so that was a team effort! Another example of why you should talk to everyone – you may not have the right role for them right then and there, but more than likely, something may just come up down the road.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: The tacos in Cabo are heavenly. My husband and I still compare all the tacos we eat to those!

Lindsey Morgan

Technology

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: Metrics have always been an important part of my success, but this year I was able to qualify by getting more creative with the solutions we offer to meet my clients’ specific needs.

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: The most meaningful project I’ve taken on this year has been the call center we built for the State of TN. We have been able to put so many people back to work who were effected by Covid layoffs and keep them employed for over a year.

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: There is one project that I have sent in 3 proposals for, and this year it finally came to fruition. My client came to us with a need to completely outsource a portion of their IT and we had a very tight timeline to build the team and get them ramped up. In a talent market that is as tight as ours, it’s hard to find talent that’s immediately available but we were able to secure the resources and start the project on time.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: What’s not to look forward to about the Grand Velas resort in Cabo – That place is AMAZING! I’m really looking forward to spending time with my coworkers from across the company. It’s so energizing being around a group who loves what they do and celebrating everyone’s accomplishments.

Chris Spintzyk

Technology

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: This year I had taken on some difficult searches and just told myself that I was responsible for filling them and I just continued to work that way. I had to get heads down and focus on one search at a time, get 3 candidates in the mix, then move on to the next one and work to fill my searches one at a time. If I have extra bandwidth after those are done then I can help others, but until I fill all the searches, I committed to then I must focus on those and only those.

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: I would say the most meaningful placement I made this year was a Data Engineer that I placed, only because I fought for the hiring manager to talk to the candidate because I was so impressed with him. On paper he didn't look to be the right fit, but I knew in my gut that he was going to do great work...the hiring manager relented, and it turns out he was so impressed with the candidate that he created a special role just for him that capitalized on his strengths. The candidate absolutely killing it, just like I thought he would.

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: I placed a VP of Engineering, but the client required a very particular skill set and I managed to find the candidate that had exactly what the client was looking for. It was a painful search at times, but we managed to get it done.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: The food and the time with the other Vaconians. Those who know me, know that I enjoy eating a great deal and the food at the resort was incredible and since its all-inclusive I can eat as much as I want 🙂 However it's that time that I get to spend with the other folks from the Vaco Nation that makes the trip so enjoyable and worthwhile. We have some amazing people in this company and getting them all together in one place is awesome!!!!

Sandra Shugart

HR & Administration

Q: What did you do to qualify for trip?

A: Treat every order that comes in as well as every candidate that comes to me with priority and urgency.

Q: What was your most meaningful match you made this year?

A: They are all meaningful!

Q: What was the most difficult match you made this year?

A: It’s very difficult to find available talent in the contract/ contract to hire market so those have all been difficult.

Q: What are you most looking forward to at Vatopia next year?

A: Sunshine and camaraderie!

Vatopia Qualifiers 2021 - nashville

Alex Naddell

Technology

Kaylee Osland

Accounting & Finance

Ashley Wilkinson

HR & Administration

Lindsey Morgan

Technology

Chris Spintzyk

Technology

Sandra Shugart

HR & Administration

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