I have been with HVS for almost three years, and I genuinely love my job more with each month that passes. Every week brings new challenges and the opportunity to connect with unique people across the hospitality industry.
I started as an Associate and was recently promoted to Director. Throughout my journey, I have consistently been encouraged to push myself, take on challenges, and build a personal brand with our clients. No matter what position you hold at HVS Executive Search, every day is different. What makes this place special is the unwavering support from our leadership team. They each empower us to ask questions, explore opportunities for professional development, and lean into growth.
When I joined HVS Executive Search, I spent about a month shadowing Alice Sherman, who was a Vice President at the time. I was encouraged to dive in and ask as many questions as possible, and I had plenty! I started to shadow my colleagues during candidate interviews, join client calls, watch presentations, and quickly learn the importance of following up and maintaining strong relationships in the industry. Whether someone is a client or a candidate, you never know where a future business opportunity might come from. The hospitality industry is a small world, and I am grateful I learned that lesson early on.
Fast forward two years and nine months, I have been promoted twice, and I love my job even more than when I started. One of my favorite aspects of HVS Executive Search, and what truly sets us apart from other firms, is the way we work in teams. Every search is a collaboration between two to three team members. Being able to learn from and work alongside my colleagues daily brings me so much joy—knowing how much we have one another’s back is something that can be hard to find in the workplace. I am constantly learning something new, and our collaborative environment makes us stronger. On our team, we win together, not as individuals. Even though I'm no longer a new employee, I still ask as many questions as I did my first week here. There are always things to learn and improvements to be made.
There are good days, and there are challenging days. But helping candidates realize their career dreams, whether it’s landing a role they have pursued for years or securing a well-deserved salary increase, is incredibly rewarding. At the end of the day, our goal is to complete a search, with happy clients and the perfect candidate in the desired role. The more we achieve that, the more clients return to us repeatedly, which is happening now more than ever.
As the youngest member of the search team, I have always appreciated the confidence my colleagues have placed in me. I have been trusted to communicate with clients, place candidates, and represent HVS Executive Search. Most people learn best by doing, and that is exactly the kind of training you receive here. I truly feel like I have gained a decade’s worth of experience in under three years, and I am extremely grateful for that. I am excited to see what my future holds at HVS Executive Search.
Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned at HVS Executive Search:
- Never turn down a conversation; you never know where it might lead.
- If someone doesn’t get back to you, don’t be afraid to follow up. Consistency is key.
- Mistakes are inevitable. When you mess up, own it, and learn from it.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You’ll often learn more than you thought you needed to know.
- Relationships and connections are everything. Treat every interaction like it matters because it does.
- The little things like a thoughtful follow-up or a personalized message, such as congratulating them on their work anniversary, wishing them good luck in their new role, or wishing them a happy birthday, can leave a lasting impression.
- Growth often comes from discomfort. Try to lean into the challenges. They’re where the biggest lessons live.
- Collaboration beats competition. The best results come when we support one another.
