Proven Recruiting

The most misunderstood interview question is often the first one asked. Many people don't even realize it's part of the "real" interview. It's just an ice breaker, right? Something requiring little thought - a quick summary of your interests, maybe a nod as to why you're looking to switch jobs. Experienced interviewers know better. The "tell me about yourself" prompt is in reality a rare gift; it allows you to dictate the terms of your story. Next time you're asked to talk about yourself, consider this: - Forget chronological, focus on recent and relevant. What about your background matters most for this specific opportunity? - Reiterate your qualifications using strategic examples. Focus on impact: savings you've made, challenges you've overcome, people you've mentored, etc. - Play up any common ground. You and your interviewer are in the same field - so showcase your passion for something you both enjoy. - Tell a good story! No one goes to the movies to get the gist of the plot - we want the meaty bits. Outline some exciting highs and lows, play up the stakes, and infuse your story with spirit and grit. So many people rely on high-level wishy-washy responses, leaving the interviewer with absolutely no lasting impression. At its core, interviewing is about being memorable. Don't let yourself be forgotten. Tell a story worth remembering!

Andrea (Annie) has been with us for a few weeks now and we’re already feeling the impact of her infectiously positive attitude. She comes to us having honed her expert hiring skills while working with an LA-based recruiting firm and we’re very happy to officially welcome her to our San Diego Finance & Accounting team!   She enjoys her work but what really fills her cup is being by the ocean – she makes a point of seeing it every day. If you’re by the sea and have a few minutes free today, go out and experience the magic of the ocean for Annie!

Happy Halloween friends! We're not in the office today so we traded adult human costumes for some truly inspired pet outfits. For all you parents out there - may your candy bags be full and your weather forecast rainless! And to everyone else, get yourself into some mischief today. Please enjoy these photos of our very-relaxed-definitely-not-traumatized-pets in costume.

"Sometimes the best job isn't the one that pays us monetarily but nurtures us emotionally. " Thanks for the reminder, Louis. https://lnkd.in/eyM2ksNP

Grateful to live and work by the ocean. Grateful to spend our days alongside such incredible people. Grateful that helping bring order to chaos, calm to stress, is our job. Looking out at the sea brings a peace that’s hard to put into words. Whether it’s dipping your feet in the water or just rolling down the windows on your commute, those little moments of connection bring clarity. Here’s to finding your own slice of peace, today and every day.

Like many of our best recruiters, Michelle Cornelius began her career in accounting - earning her degree from SDSU before making her mark on the corporate world. From the crunch of busy season to the satisfaction of closing the books, she’s seen the world of accounting from every angle. That firsthand experience paired with a deep knowledge of recruiting make her a perfect fit for our San Diego Finance & Accounting Consulting team!   These days, Michelle’s balancing life as a proud mom of three, an avid reader (50+ books a year - ask her for recs!), a first-rate recruiter, and the devoted dog mom of a yellow lab named Harlie Mae.   Welcome aboard, Michelle!

PTO season is upon us! Everyone's booking their holiday getaways which means the age old debate - unlimited vacation vs. fixed weeks - has resurfaced. Now we love a good debate, but we're also rational - and rationally, the deciding factor isn’t the policy, it’s your manager. With the wrong boss, neither option works… and “unlimited” PTO can be the worst of all. Stress levels, job satisfaction, even how guilt-free your vacations feel - it's all shaped by your manager. So if your downtime isn’t being supported…maybe it’s time for a new manager?

Kimberly loves chasing challenges - which is perhaps why she holds the record (we assume, don’t fact check us on this) for hiking both Mount Whitney and Death Valley within 48 hours, conquering in two days the highest and lowest points in the contiguous U.S.   That same no-quit attitude defines her career, and it’s just one of the many reasons we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Kimberly Wilkins to Proven Recruiting’s Finance & Accounting Search team!   After six years in accounting, Kimberly realized she wanted to make a different kind of impact - to connect people, not just numbers. So when she was “recruited to recruit,” everything clicked. Four years later, she’s done more than win awards and earn recognition; she’s built a reputation in San Diego's Finance & Accounting community as a true matchmaker, helping hiring managers and job seekers connect in ways that really move the needle.   Kimberly’s talent and experience make her a true game-changer for our team and for our clients. We couldn't be happier to have her!

Michael's career has been anything but ordinary. From starting his career in finance, to donning a chef’s coat at The Ritz-Carlton in San Francisco, to spending nearly 30 years shaping the world of Finance & Accounting recruiting in Silicon Valley – he’s done it all while exemplifying what it means to do business with heart and integrity. We’ve admired Michael Inserra from afar for a long time and we’re excited to have him join the team, growing our reach while staying true to our values of partnership, gratitude, and collaboration. We’re thrilled (and lucky!) to have him on board. Here’s to many great years ahead! Peek Michael and (most of) his beautiful family below.

Most job searches go something like this: your application vanishes into a black hole for weeks; you land an interview and never hear back; your requests for feedback go unanswered; your recruiter ghosts; you start over. Thankfully, there are people like Megan who bring order to the chaos of job searching. She has a rare ability to stay calm under pressure, deliver the perfect pep talk when you need it most, and take a genuine interest in every person’s growth. It’s no surprise she's been named Customer Favorite five times this year alone. If you’re navigating the San Diego Finance & Accounting market, we can’t recommend Megan enough (but also don’t take our word for it - check out those Google reviews!). Say hi at mjoyce@provenrecruiting.com!