Kforce Employee Spotlight: Rachel Boyman
Rachel Boyman has a passion for success and helping others succeed in their careers. With the help of Kforce, she turned that passion into a reality. Learn about Rachel’s role as a Kforce client relationship partner, her transition from finance to technology and how she overcame obstacles in her career.
How did you get started in the staffing industry?
I went to Florida State University as a finance major, and my college job was working at The FSU Career Center. I got to see the different companies come in and set up the career fair. I also participated in a volunteer position where I was a mock interview mentor for people that were preparing for graduation and wanting to practice their interview skills. I would simulate interviews, ask questions and review the footage afterward to provide a critique of how the conversation went.
Since I majored in finance at FSU, I ended up getting a job in the financial field after college. But, after a couple of years, I realized that I was more passionate about helping others in their career journey as I did at The FSU Career Center. I started applying to every HR and recruiting position I could find and was offered a recruiting job at a private staffing company in Atlanta. I worked in that position for nearly 5 years before I applied for a sales position at Kforce.
What brought you to Kforce?
I wanted to move back to South Florida, so I reached out to a few staffing firms for a sales position. One of the people I interviewed with challenged me by saying, “I think you would be a good recruiter, but I don’t think you are aggressive enough for sales.” That is when I decided to take the sales position at Kforce to prove him wrong.
How did you approach the transition from recruiting to sales?
Taking on the sales position wasn’t easy, but I was ready for the challenge. I started by shadowing other senior sales people and staying very close to my boss at the time. With Kforce being such a large firm, I have always been surrounded by people that could help, with plenty of structured training programs and resources at my fingertips.
What roles have you held during your 9 years at the firm?
I’ve always been in production. I started in sales for finance and accounting when I first got to Kforce. After a year or two, I was managing an account on the finance and accounting side when Region President John Megally approached me about managing the technology side. It was the best transition I have ever made.
John has been my biggest mentor throughout my experience at Kforce. He went on the road with me, chose to invest a lot of time in teaching me technology and made sure I understood the terminology to make that transition from finance over to technology. I owe much of my success to him.
How was the learning curve?
It was hard to ramp up for the first six months. I had the support of John and a lot of the senior recruiters that helped me, but it was one of those things where you just had to fight through it.
Transitioning over to the technology side was a very gradual journey for me, but when I finally got to the point where I was staffing a large portion of consultants, it was a rewarding experience.
What responsibilities do you have in your current role?
As a client relationship partner, I manage accounts and ensure that our clients are receiving the best service possible. I make sure that Kforce has a good reputation and that we are the go-to partner when they need to hire top talent.
By fostering relationships with our clients and working closely with recruiters, we can deliver quality services and resources.
Is there a golden rule you live by? If so, how has it helped you throughout your career?
I make that a point in every interaction that I have—not only in my career but also in my personal life. I put myself in the other person’s shoes and think about what I would want if I were on the other side. For me, it is just about being genuine, honest and transparent.
I think this rule is the reason I have had success in my role at Kforce. It helped me realize that it’s not just about the one placement. It’s about building relationships so that you have long-standing partnerships.
What has been your most significant accomplishment at Kforce?
This is the sixth year in a row that I have billed over a million dollars in profit, making the Kforce Diamond Club. I put so much time into this career. By being persistent and doing the right thing, I am able to consistently obtain this prestigious award.
Can you describe the biggest challenge you have faced at your job and what steps have you taken to overcome it?
My biggest challenge is finding suitable candidates to fill the roles that we have open. I have a team of people that I work very closely with that are so ingrained in my business. I have taken the time to make sure they understand what is going on with our clients, so they can better present our candidates with the opportunities we are sourcing on.
Why do you love working at the firm?
I have great relationships with my clients and the people in my office. Kforce feels like home, and it’s like hanging out with friends and family when I go to work. Some of the best friends I have in my life right now are people that I met at the firm.
What is your favorite activity to do outside of work?
I spend a lot of time at the gym. It’s crucial for me to invest in my physical health outside of work.
I also love to spend time with my friends and family. I am fortunate to work at a company that offers a great work-life balance. If my fiancé’s son has a soccer game, I can leave the office early and jump on the computer later at home. They are beyond flexible with me.
Are there any career goals you are looking to accomplish this year?
This coming year, I want to grow the accounts that I support as much as I can and see the people I work with have success. My team’s success means everything to me and it’s the reason I work as hard as I do. I feel accountable for their success and know the work that goes into finding candidates. We have each other’s backs, and I am as invested as my team is.
What advice would you give to others looking for a career at Kforce?
You cannot let what happens one day carry over into the next because things are continually changing.
This mindset is critical in our industry and life in general.