Jeremy Johnson is an Account Executive in the Mining & Heavy Industrial industries at Johnson Search Group, JSG’s direct placement division. He works out of our Spokane, WA office and has been with JSG for 1 and ½ years now. We had the pleasure to interview Jeremy about what it’s like to work at Johnson Search Group and how it’s changed his whole perspective on the impact you can make on other’s careers.

You have a very diverse career background. Tell us about yourself and what you do at Johnson Search Group.

I’ve always been a very hands-on person with a tech background. I pursued an electrical engineering degree which I enjoyed because I was able to work with my hands and see things come to life. But I wanted something more, which sent me to recruit. Recruiting allows me to make a bigger impact on others, which is a big part of who I am. In my other positions, I was able to impact a few people during my daily responsibilities. But as a recruiter, I’m able to make a big impact on my clients by finding them the talent their organization needs. I also get the opportunity to impact the career of great candidates and help find them new career paths.

What’s the #1 reason you enjoy coming to work every morning at Johnson Search Group?

I love the dance of it all. Having the opportunity to navigate in this career and the chance to be successful every day keeps me excited and ready to take on the days’ challenges because you can always make a difference. I have the opportunity to pick and choose the clients I work with which allows me to partner with companies I truly believe in. And that not only helps me be successful and enjoy what I’m doing but the freedom I have here at Johnson Search Group is really something not a lot of positions give you.

You Recruit for the Mining & Heavy Industrial Industries. What do you like about it?

I love it. Getting to come back and work in an environment I grew up around is truly exciting. My dad and grandad worked in a tungsten mine when I was younger, so I learned a lot about what it takes to be a miner. And my other grandpa worked in the paper industry. It’s crazy to see my passion revolve around a world I grew up in and fell in love with.

I was taught early about good work-ethic and it has made me the man I am today. And helps me every day when it comes to recruiting because I’ve learned the importance of understanding how the measure of a man is in his merit.

Are there any trends that you see happening in the Mining world this year?

Definitely! Competition for great candidates will only get tighter. Just like we saw last year with instrumentation and electrical professionals. I feel like this year it will be more with oil and gas companies though because they are trying to increase their in-house production instead of using other companies. We saw this in frack sand plants, which in turn, has led to even greater talent shortages.

My focus this year will be helping my clients retain their candidates because that is a big thing all mining companies need and will continue to be a big issue because of talent shortages. If I can help my clients retain and gain great candidates, then I will only be able to help grow their trust in what I can do for them in 2019!

Marla Kilgore is a Sr. Recruiter from our Knoxville, Birmingham, and Nashville offices. She has been with JSG for over 10 years and has a tremendous amount of industry experience. We sat down with her and learned a little more about her time with JSG and her impressive career as a recruiter.

You have nearly 24 years of experience in the Staffing and Recruiting industry. What has kept you working in this field for so long?

I’ve been in the Staffing industry since 1995. During the early years of my career, I specialized in perm staffing for engineering. I then moved to another recruiting firm after two years at JSG. After four years with that firm, I decided to return to JSG and have been working here for over 10 years collectively.

What do you enjoy about being a recruiter?

What I enjoy about staffing is the ever-changing environment. Helping candidates find new career opportunities is so rewarding. I love being able to follow the careers of the candidates I have placed. I have a story I reflect on often. I once placed a great candidate with one of our clients. Since I placed him, he has received five different promotions within the company. I have had the privilege of staying in touch with him and watching his career grow. Which again has solidified my passion for recruiting.

You worked for JSG for two years and moved on to another opportunity. What made you decide to return to the JSG family in 2011?

In 2011 after a brief departure, I decided to return to JSG. I love the flexibility that JSG offers to their employees. The company genuinely cares about your success and wants to watch you succeed. The people at JSG are incredible and our leadership team is great.

JSG is also a leader in recruiting for engineering roles which are my specialty. My brother is also a civil engineer, and it has helped strengthen my background in the industry. Engineering positions are also very fun to recruit on because they have so many different skill sets, depending on the type and role.

You’ve had a very successful career in the Staffing and Recruiting world. What are you hoping to accomplish in 2019?

My goal is to place as many people as I can. I want to help JSG as well as myself be successful throughout the year by placing hardworking candidates with our great clients. I work remotely but have the opportunity to work with several different offices throughout the company. It’s my goal to help each office source talented candidates and help them launch their careers.

Jamie Tran is a Regional Account Manager at JSG. She works out of our Bedford, TX office and has nearly 15 years of experience in the Staffing & Recruiting industry. We sat down with Jamie for a few minutes to get to know her a little better.

You’ve been with JSG for almost 10 years. Tell us a little about your time with the company.

I’ve been in the Staffing and Recruiting industry since 2005. In 2009, I started working for JSG as a Sr. Technical Recruiter. Several years later, I transitioned into my current position as a Regional Account Manager in 2013.

The transition was a little daunting at first, but I’ve grown to love my role here at JSG. I genuinely enjoy interacting with our clients and love fostering our relationships with them. Our office’s specialty is Aerospace; however, we service many different industries.

You have a ton of experience in the Staffing & Recruiting industry. How has the industry changed over the years and what are your thoughts on the tight market we are currently seeing?

In the world of recruiting, we currently have more resources than we have ever had before. New job boards and social media has really made a huge impact on our recruiting efforts over the years. We have more avenues to reach out to candidates which makes it easier to find that “purple squirrel.”

The candidate-driven market we are currently in forces us to be more creative with our recruiting methods. It has also helped us place an emphasis on retention of our current contractors and clients. Our office motto is “smile and dial.” We have to build great relationships with our clients and candidates and have strong, personal communication with them.

What are the goals for you and your team this year?

Every year, we strive to perform better. Our team continuously works to provide exceptional customer service to both our clients and our candidates. We want our candidates to be part of the JSG family for the long-term and continue to help them find their next assignment or position.

Maribel Gomez is an Account Manager for Johnson Service Group. She has been with JSG for nearly nine years and has over 20 years of experience in the Staffing & Recruiting industry. Maribel specializes in recruiting for the Aviation industry and works on-site with one of our clients in Florida. We sat down with her to get to know her a little better. Here’s what she had to say.

You’ve been with JSG for nine years this February. Congratulations! Tell us about your time here with JSG.

I started working for our JSG Atlanta team in 2010 as an On-site Coordinator. About three months later, I transitioned into a recruiting role in the Aviation industry and have been doing that ever since. I currently work on-site with one of our clients in Florida.

You’ve been with JSG for almost a decade. What do you like about working with JSG and what’s kept you here?

I love working for JSG. Johnson Service Group has allowed me to continue to grow and take on more responsibility throughout my time with the company. At my previous position, I was an on-site coordinator and wasn’t allowed to grow within the company. JSG and the Atlanta team instills trust in me and has allowed me to grow as a professional, which has allowed me to become an even better recruiter. The leadership is great, and I love coming to work every single day.

Why do you like working in the Aviation industry so much?

I’ve worked in the Aviation industry for nearly 22 years. My husband works in Aviation, as well as my son. Even my father-in-law and brother-in-law work in the industry, so you can say it’s a family affair. The Aviation industry fascinates me and has always just made sense to me. I enjoy being able to recruit in an industry that I understand well because it allows me to find the right candidates for my clients. My expertise in the field gives me the ability to source candidates who are going to make a tremendous impact for our clients.

What are your goals for you and your team in 2019?

We want to become the #1 staffing provider in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) in the Aviation industry. My team and I want to continue to offer superior customer service to our clients and candidates. We want to continue to find talented candidates for our clients as well as ensure our candidates are part of the JSG family for life. It’s our goal to help our contractors find new job opportunities once their contract is finished. We want to keep our contractors working and partner with them throughout their careers, helping them and their families find great jobs throughout the country.