Dave Zito, Managing Partner, Willmott & Assoc.
What is your role at Willmott?
The Willmott organization is advancing forward under new leadership with the finest HR recruiting talent in the industry. My role now, as Managing Partner, is to advise and support Dan Hill, Jeff Willmott and the Senior Management Team by providing strategic guidance and input in achieving company goals and objectives. In addition, one of my major concentrations will be maintaining client relationships and assisting with candidate development.
How long have you been in staffing?
My experience in staffing dates back to early in my corporate career, even before I moved into Human Resources. I worked for a major manufacturing organization and I was reporting to the operations manager, one of my responsibilities was to interview the candidates our HR Department was presenting for key management positions. My role also involved resolving union grievances, so I was interacting with the HR department on a regular basis. Eventually I was asked to join the HR group which launched my career. From that point on staffing was a major responsibility under my control.
You have an excellent reputation in the market and have spent several years building solid relationships in the HR space throughout New England. What would you consider some of the differentiating factors that you have brought to the table over the years?
Today social media and technology have significantly changed how people communicate, interact and build relationships. During most of my career, networking was a resource which required joining HR organizations, attending meeting, serving on committees, going to conferences and being active in the HR community. As a result, I developed a network of HR professional which still exists today. I was also fortunate to have taught for nine year, an HR Certification Program at Roger Williams University and Bryant University. Teaching allowed me to meet many HR peers who were looking to advance their careers. A noteworthy point, along with developing professional relationships, I also worked at cultivating a personal bond by learning people’s hobbies, interests, family information and other facts which made a difference.
Best advice for your candidates? How about your clients?
Several points come to mind. Candidates appear to be more reactive to career searches than proactive. Meaning, they often wait to begin a job search until their position is possibility in jeopardy or until work conditions are no longer acceptable. I advise candidates to keep their resume updated, always continue to build HR skills, be aware how their current salary compares within the industry and maintain a knowledge of HR trends and regulations. A major concern is many candidates are neglecting their HR network. I’m sure it is primarily because work demands are such that they do not have time to attend meeting, communicate with peers at other companies or keep in contact with Willmott. However, networking today is essential to conducting a good job search.
For clients, I think we most often encounter two areas which are misunderstood. One, while every company wants the best qualified candidate, we find they regularly under estimate the salary range necessary to attract top talent, and (2) the length of time a search process takes. Part of our responsibility is to make sure we address these items and minimize any other unexpected issues.
Thoughts on Today’s Job Market?
Today’s HR job market is rapidly changing as companies are merging, making acquisitions and looking for people that can help maximize the bottom line. I anticipate these trends will continue for some time. Companies will want people who can embrace change, show flexibility and demonstrate the ability to achieve. I see the overall job market will continue to be very strong as companies are expanding globally, and this, along with the fact that “Baby boomers” (our largest population group) are now in the retirement years, will create an increase demand for talent.
How Willmott is different?
Clark Willmott founded the firm on the foundation of building client and candidate relationships with honesty and integrity. Our success for over thirty-five years is attributed to following our core values and having staff who believe in these principles.
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