In this blog series we bring you guest posts from folks at YourMechanic. We ask what projects they are working on and what they are passionate about outside YourMechanic. This time, we interviewed Katrina. Katrina is the Head of Talent and has some valuable insights for people looking to join this field.
Find out more about Katrina's life at YourMechanic:
Can you tell us more about what you do at YourMechanic?
As Head of Talent, I get the opportunity to create a fantastic candidate experience from beginning to end. It’s essential that the candidate is excited from the moment they’ve applied to the moment they’ve signed their offer letter. In addition to hiring, I’ve been working closely with hiring managers and HR to build out a scalable and repeatable onboarding program, so the excitement continues for the new hire after all the T’s have been crossed, and I’s dotted! It’s also been a passion of mine to engage hiring teams in the interview process from beginning to end, and it's exciting to see how we’ve adapted during each growth stage we’ve experienced as a company!
Why did you join YourMechanic?
I saw a real opportunity to have an impact on a team that was passionate about disrupting a 100+-year-old industry. There was a lot of room to come in as an owner and refresh a recruiting process that took the load off hiring managers and engaged the team in a meaningful way.
What gets you excited about coming to work every day?
The team gets me excited every day! There is a new challenge to look forward to, a new hurdle to cross, and a group that rallies behind new opportunities that lie ahead. Also, ramen for lunch on Thursday’s is a good motivator. :)
What's unique about being the Head of Talent at YourMechanic?
What I find unique about this role is the multifaceted talent I get to work with and search for in some of the open positions we have here at the company. I’ve never had the opportunity to immerse myself in the automotive landscape before, so it’s been a unique challenge tapping into candidate profiles I might have never had the chance to interact with before.
How does working at YourMechanic help you develop as a professional?
YourMechanic has given me the opportunity to act like an owner in the company, as it does with every employee here, and make impactful decisions that contribute to the company as a whole. It’s given me the freedom to be creative & collaborative, self-reliant, and always to aspire to do more.
What is something you now know about YourMechanic that you didn't know before you joined?
I didn’t know how often I should have been changing my engine oil. OOPS!
Do you have advice for anybody who wants to work in your field?
Recruiting is being passionate about the candidate lifecycle, creating memorable touchpoints from beginning to end. It's about getting the team engaged in the process to create a culture around hiring the best people for the job. It’s also about having a passion for people and making connections and building relationships to find perfect roles for talented individuals. I think if you share in any of those values, you can find yourself in recruitment anywhere!
We are always looking for great minds. Join us and help us improve!
