My journey at GT: Growing from Talent Sourcer to Recruiter
- info329524
- Mar 26
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 27
Making a career shift isn't always easy, but it can lead to some of the most rewarding experiences of your life.
š My name is Lisa Afonina, and I want to share my journey at GT, moving from a talent sourcer to a technical recruiter. This transition has brought its own challenges, memorable milestones, and valuable lessons, showing the possibilities for internal career growth within GT.
šļø On the journey to finding what feels right
When I first started my professional journey, I was working in government. However, I soon realized it wasnāt the best fit for me ā I needed a role with deeper, more dynamic interactions and meaningful connections with people. Talent sourcing caught my attention because it perfectly blended my natural curiosity and organizational skills.
I'm a pretty organized person and love digging into info and working with people. After my time in government, I wanted to switch things up and find a field with interesting challenges where my work could really make a difference.
As a sourcer, I discovered the satisfaction that comes with helping people find their ideal job. At GT, sourcing involved not just finding candidates but conducting market research, pre-interview screenings, handling salary data, analyzing market capacity, and fine-tuning recruitment processes. It gave me a comprehensive skill set that was invaluable later on.
š¤ Taking the Next Step
After two years as a sourcer, I was ready to challenge myself further. I felt drawn to recruitment because it offered a faster pace, bigger responsibilities, and a chance to be involved in strategic decision-making.
However, moving into recruitment required me to step out of my comfort zone and develop new skills. Communication, quick decision-making, and direct client interaction were some areas I had to strengthen. My background in sourcing definitely helped, but it still required plenty of adaptability and determination.
After 2 years of working as a sourcer, I started wishing for something new and more fast-paced. Moving into recruitment felt like the next natural step since I love this field and wanted to be more involved in bigger, high-level decisions.
One pleasant surprise during this transition was realizing how actually beneficial my sourcing experience was in recruitment. My ability to quickly analyze and screen candidate profiles gave me confidence and efficiency in my new role.
Having a comprehensive understanding of the recruitment process also allowed me to switch between sourcing and recruiting whenever necessary. This flexibility made me feel more capable and prepared.
š¤² Real growth comes from real support
Having the right skills is important, but the support you get during a transition makes a huge difference. At GT, I was lucky to receive incredible mentorship and encouragement, especially from my mentor, Liza Mateshuk.
Liza set up a mentoring plan and supported me through the whole transition. Overall, my team was super patient and always there for me in tough situations.
I remember one unforgettable moment was when I presented my first job offer. The excitement and nerves were overwhelming! Although the candidate ultimately declined, it was a valuable lesson in resilience and setting realistic expectations.
Another surprise was how diverse and extensive recruitment is ā far beyond what I'd expected. I knew recruitment involved multitasking, but didnāt realize how extensive it was until I experienced it firsthand. You need to be a researcher, an interviewer, a psychologist, a negotiation specialist, a salesperson, and maybe someone else.
GTās recruitment team is one of the largest within our core team, and right now, we're looking for a Technical Recruiter to join us! Maybe it's you or someone you knowācheck out the position and apply or share this exciting opportunity!
š± Personal Growth ā Lessons Learned and Advice Shared
Moving from sourcing to recruitment didn't just impact my professional skills ā it significantly boosted my personal growth. Through specialized communication training that was a part of my upskilling, I developed greater assertiveness and confidence, which I've found invaluable both in and outside the office.
For anyone thinking about making a similar career move, here's my best advice:
Speak up:Ā Clearly communicate your career goals with your manager or team.
Prepare in advance:Ā Identify your strengths and areas for improvement beforehand.
Donāt be afraid to ask for help:Ā Itās totally okay to feel unsure, not know the next step, and ask for some support ā everyoneās been there. Just be ready to learn along the way because working with people can be unpredictable.
Make the most of whatās around you:Ā Take initiative. Say yes to new projects, ask to shadow teammates, take that course you've been putting off. If thereās a mentoring program ā join it. Growth often starts by simply showing up and saying, āIād like to try.
Do your best, and eventually things will fall into place.
My experience at GT highlights how internal career growth can lead to incredible opportunities and fulfilling outcomes. With the right support and mindset, amazing professional and personal growth is truly possible!
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