Kforce Employee Spotlight: Alan Peterson
Client Relationship Director Alan Peterson has been an LA-based Kforcer since October 2014. Although a love for basketball started his career, his passion now lies in helping clients and candidates succeed. Read about how Alan got his start in staffing, his first memory at Kforce and what he loves most about his team.
Tell me about your Kforce journey. How long have you been here and what is your first memory?
I was hired almost four years ago as a Client Relationship Director in Los Angeles. I work within financial services and banking, working with clients and our delivery team to deliver on different roles, projects and client deliverables.
I still remember my first day. I was told to arrive at nine a.m., was escorted to my cubicle and called tech support to get my computer and phone squared away. After all the standard day-one stuff, I joined a team led by Sandy Merein. He asked me to share what I’ve done to add value to the team so far, and the only thing I could contribute was saying that I was able to connect with tech support and get my computer/phone set up. Sandy jokingly said, “Okay, you’re fired.” 
Before Kforce, you worked in the sports industry. What made you transition to staffing?
My journey started at the University of Arizona, where I got a scholarship to work with the men’s basketball team. At the time, my passion was basketball. I wanted to be a coach, so I got my foot in the door as a student manager and video coordinator. My responsibilities involved breaking down game film, working with the assistant coaches to develop scouting reports and showing video clips to players to explain things we did well, didn’t do well and things our opponents may do.
As I grew up a bit and graduated, I decided to do sales within the sports industry instead. After two years, I was ready to try something new. I had a friend in Chicago working in staffing that was doing well and enjoyed it. We spoke, and I was ready for a new challenge. So, I clicked “apply” on the Kforce LinkedIn job posting, and the rest is history.
Why do you love Kforce?
I love what I do because there’s always a new challenge each day. I love having the opportunity to solve client and candidate problems and help them deliver on projects. I get to help people and change their lives. Knowing that I’m helping candidates progress their careers, and put food on their table is so rewarding.
What principle do you uphold the most in your everyday work?
I think it’s definitely our tagline “We love what we do, we love who we serve.” I’m excited when I come into the office each day. I love my clients, and I’m very passionate about their success. That’s why I continue to work with them, and I think it’s one of the reasons they continue to work with me.
Is there something you love most about your team? What makes them special to work with?
I love their passion for client and candidate success. Everyone on the team puts our client’s and candidate’s success above their own every day, and I think that’s unique.
We’ve also hired a lot of young recruiters, with this being their first job out of college. It’s been fun to watch them grow professionally.
What advice would you give to someone interested in a recruiting career?
The best advice I’d give is love what you do and be a student of the game. Try to become the best recruiter you can be. I think some people are okay with just being average, but I want them to know it’s important not to be satisfied with that. Push yourself, and listen to others. We have a lot of great tools at Kforce. When I first started, I’d hunt around on our internal site and check out the different PowerPoint presentations and training videos offered to me. Go watch YouTube videos. Use Google to improve your skill set. Do a lot of studying, and work hard.
If you could relocate to any Kforce office, which would you choose?
This is a tough one! We have a lot of great offices, but we’re building something special in Southern California, so I’d have to say one of our SoCal offices. Plus, we have great weather.
When you’re not at Kforce, what do you find yourself doing with your time?
I like working out, hanging out with friends and family and watching sports. I’m a big basketball and college football fan. I’m a huge University of Michigan and University of Arizona fan—I love the Wildcats!
What’s your favorite book that you’d recommend to someone looking to get motivated?
One of my favorite books is Wooden: A Lifetime of Observations and Reflections On and Off the Court. One of my high school basketball coaches got me this book, and in college, I had an opportunity to meet UCLA’s Coach John Wooden when he came to a practice.
There are a lot of good TV shows on now, do you have a favorite?
I don’t have a favorite TV show currently, but my favorite show of all-time is Breaking Bad!