New Year, New Title

As I enter 2024, I self-reflect on so many wonderful times with my network of co-workers that turned to family. I began my Recruiting journey many years ago when Vickie Moul saw the heart in me that landed me the opportunity of a lifetime at a Public Accounting Firm helping as a Campus Recruiter and Staff Advisory Board Member. Shortly after, The DeWinter Group helped me grow some thick skin and showed me the beauty in Agency Recruiting and how quick hard work pays off. I was in the heart of the financial district living my best life till things shifted and adversity/ blessings got me a new title, Momma Bear!

I knew I had to slow down, so I got out of finance and accounting and landed in Nor Cal as a Senior Recruiter at Airgas and quickly enrolled in school for my MBA knowing it was the only thing holding me back from eventually leading the way within Talent Acquisition. After I graduated, I made a vision board and added Tesla to the top of that list and told myself I would one day work for them and lead by example. With a degree, a new divorce and the determination to make a name for myself as Ms. Cleary, I applied for Tesla, and shortly after a force herself Kimmie Nguyen opened the doors for me when the world was shutting down because of COVID, with a new job as a Recruiter at Tesla.

As soon as I came in, I was standing alongside Ricky Baeza smiling ear to ear as we both stood at the factory looking at the production line in aw that we FINALLY made it to Tesla and all the ups and downs had paid off. That feeling was something I can't put into words... And today, I feel it all over again. As I opened my email this morning, I was so happy to see I was recently given the opportunity to be the President of Women In Tesla for 2024 and my heart sunk and I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude and flash back from all the things I've endured personally and professionally.

I don't get to reach out to many of you in my network to say THANK YOU or show gratitude, but I want to thank each and every one of you who I have had the ability to speak to, help, laugh with and grow with. It's so ironic as a Recruiter, I have some of the HARDEST conversations with strangers. We talk about work experience, salary requirements, why you left your job, sponsorship, background checks, drug use... In a two-week span, I learn some of the deepest and darkest things about a person and am so humble and blessed to know many of you trust me and see the value in our networking and how much I want to help.

With 2024 ahead, I want to make each of you proud and do as much as I can to pay it forward, so PLEASE don't hesitate to reach out. For my lady leaders, as I embark on this new title and experience, feel free to share your wisdom with me and let me learn from you. Let us connect and remind one another NO GLASS CEILINGS and to not use gender as a barrier, but remember we are all human! I am so excited for the New Year, paying it forward and letting the people see the Lord within me. Thank you to all who have helped me get to this chapter, I promise I won't let you down!

Cheers to the BEST year yet

Jess Cleary,

MVP of Recruiting and your biggest Fan!