Hood
Year graduated
1979
Current city
Paso Verdes Estates, CA
Current position
Vice President of Business Development at eQuest and on the board of directors for the Staffing Management Association of Southern California.
Current employer
eQuest - Global Job Posting. eQuest is an online recruitment advertising agency specializing in electronic job delivery. We work with global Fortune 500 companies.
Professional website
www.equest.com
How long have you held your current position?
3.5 years
Brief description of responsibilities/duties
I am responsible for business development activities at eQuest. For the Staffing Management Association I help plan educational seminars specific to the staffing industry. The Staffing Management Association is a non-profit and I do volunteer work for them.
What specific qualities/abilities, skills are necessary for this current position?
Communication skills are an integral part of bringing in new clients. I give at least 3 or 4 presentations per week and need to customize each presentation to a client's specific needs. In the past 10 years, I have responded to over 50 requests for proposals (RFPs) and they are often over 100 pages each. Writing persuasive emails is also something I do on a daily basis. A basic understanding of human nature is essential in business development. I work with clients all over the world and so an understanding of many cultures is helpful.
While at Cal Poly, what resourcdes did you take advantage of that have helped you in your current position?
At Cal Poly, I learned to communicate more effectively and a liberal arts education is an excellent way to study psychology and human nature. When I first entered Cal Poly, I was a business major and took many business courses. As a resident advisor in the dormitories, I developed management skills I use today in directing my support staff.
What advice would you give to someone interested in your profession?
Learn all you can about leading edge communication skills especially as they relate to the Internet. Consultative selling skills are required for the larger complex opportunities. Don't be afraid to start in an entry level position that can get you in the door of a great company. Internal transfers are the #1 source of hire. Many people do not realize that. Employee referrals are the second largest source of hire.