“You can catch the football better with your eyes open.”
That's what Anthony Scarpino, Senior Director for Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition team, said to me yesterday while he was teaching me how to throw and catch a football. Notice I didn’t say “trying to teach” me how to throw the football. Thanks to Anthony, I threw and caught my first ever football.
Warning: This post contains football analogies from someone who doesn’t watch football.
It was about this time of year in 2007 when a Sodexo recruiter called me for a Marketing position with Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Before submitting my application to what sounded like a job that would be a good fit for me, I researched the company to make sure the company would be a good fit. I knew Sodexo’s world headquarters was in France, the US headquarters was in Gaithersburg, MD, they operated around the world as one of the largest employers, they cared about their employees, and they served a great meal at my college – you know, the basics. I also learned Sodexo set the benchmark in sustainability, diversity, wellness, the fight against hunger and it was a company I would be proud to work for.
After my initial phone screen the recruiter told me to expect a call from the hiring manager, Anthony Scarpino. As soon as I hung up the phone I Googled Anthony.
It didn’t take long before I was able to learn even more about the company culture, the person who would be my boss, and the team I would be a part of if I was lucky enough to get the job. Just like that line in the movie, “Jerry McGuire” - “you had me at hello.” I knew the minute I read the first article where Anthony was quoted that this was a company I wanted to work for. The job and the company was a good – no GREAT fit for me. Luckily Anthony thought so too.
I started with Sodexo in early November of 2007 and it has been the best four years of my career. I was able to take my “traditional” marketing experience to another level through our use of Social Media Marketing. We were one of the first companies to use these new media tools for employer branding. Our Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin communities and careers blog and career center have matured over the last four years and I take tremendous pride in what we've been able to accomplish with the best yet to come including exciting “game changing” steps for how candidates search and apply for jobs from their mobile devices.
I say “we” because this is a group effort. I have had the extreme privilege of working with a team of truly innovative recruiting professionals who have not been afraid to break new ground or (here comes the second football analogy!) catch a football while running. Kudos to the team and to the “captain of our football team” and VP of Talent Acquisition, Arie Ball, who has lead by example and with confidence. I have been proud to be a part of this team as the voice of Sodexo Careers. I have been especially proud to work for Anthony Scarpino who has been my leader, mentor, friend, and boss for the last four years.
Notice I said, “has been.” The time has come for me to pass the football forward. Sadly, I am resigning from my position as Senior Marketing Manager with Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group and voice of Sodexo Careers to pursue another great professional opportunity. This was not an easy decision to make. The past four years have been professionally and personally rewarding for me and has prepared me for my next digital marketing role.
Anthony also taught me how to catch and throw the football with my eyes wide open and I am throwing it in the direction that the offensive team (Sodexo’s Talent Acquisition Group) is moving - towards the goal line. Just like the forward pass in American football shows how the game has evolved, my role at Sodexo shows how the company continues to evolve towards innovation and I’m looking forward to watching the team continue to be a leader in employer branding as a member of Sodexo’s alumni group.
Sodexo has prepared me for the future and I have tried to prepare you for your future through job search, branding, and interview tips on this blog. If you have experience in employer branding, social media, blogging or website design and want to work in an organization who values people, teamwork and innovation, maybe you can “suit up” to become the new voice of Sodexo Careers.
Click here to learn more and apply.
Internal and Reconnexions Candidates should LOG IN to the career center and search job #11282
5 comments:
I'm sorry to see you leave Sodexo, but wish you all the best in your next step!
Kerri - congratulations! We are so sorry to see you go. You have been such a great asset to TAG and are leaving some big shoes to fill. Hats off to you for all you have done and best wishes for more succcess.
So what's your next step???
It has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. I wish you the best!
Wishing you all the best Kerry! You will certainly shine in your next career adventure!
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