So you're telling me there's a chance...

As a Business Development Manager in the recruitment industry, getting new clients and new reqs can be hard sometimes. But so is starting a new job, moving into a new industry and really- trying anything new in life. The key is taking the chance, and someone taking a chance on you. Right?

As a former Makeup Artist, turned Account Executive in the staffing industry I know all too well about starting new - and - someone taking a chance on me. I left the makeup industry, (though fun), for a more "corporate" role, not working retail hours and working when everyone else was off. So I updated my resume and got active on LinkedIn and low and behold- I got a message from a branch manager at a staffing firm. I didn't have staffing sales experience at the time, however, this manager took a chance on me, interviewed me and here I was walking (in heels) into warehouses and office buildings trying to get reqs for my new firm. The beautiful part of it was, I was good at this new job, I felt it and the numbers showed. I was successful in this new industry, all because someone took a chance on me.

Clients take chances on us as well. I remember my first really big meeting, the kind where you are staring out at New York City from a board room up on the 40th floor. Very Hallmark "movieish" you know the Jersey girl goes to the city to land a big account kind of movie. I was green in Technology staffing, having made the jump from Industrial Staffing to IT Staffing that same year. I was so excited to be there, and I am sure this new client knew that as well. But as green as I was, I was hungry for success- I am sure he saw this too and so- he felt he should take a chance on me. It was a successful meeting, and we found him the perfect candidate. A thrill for me and a win. But I am grateful most of all, that he decided to take a chance on me.

I've also got to mention the managers who see the potential employees who have "it" and hire them. And the managers that refuse to see their people be anything but successful and work with them to make sure they hit their numbers, feel confident and value them as important team members. That is taking a chance too. Thankfully they have an eye for talent, they push to help their employees find success and in the end, it pays off for everyone.

This article, as personal as it is for me about my career journey, is also about all of them.

So here's to the new clients that take chances on new agencies and relationships, to the managers who take chances on new employees that don't look like a perfect fit on paper but feel in their gut they are right for their team and to the leadership that sees people who have what it takes- and refuse to see them be anything but successful.

Because everyone deserves a chance.