Welcome back to #WeAreGreenKey, where we shine a spotlight on our powerhouse recruiting team.
We chatted with Andrew List, Executive Director on the Financial Services team at Green Key. With 25 years of recruiting experience, Andrew elaborated on the collaborative nature of his team, becoming an expert within the finance industry, and the healthy work-life balance that recruiting allows him.
How did you first get started in recruiting?
Recruiting was my third career. I was originally a stockbroker and when I found myself out of work, I didn’t know where to go from there. I knew I was already good at sales, so recruiting came naturally. I knew some of the partners at Green Key from a prior agency and started here in 2013. Twenty-five years later in the recruiting agency, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
What do you enjoy about recruiting for Financial Services?
I’m good at building strong relationships, so being able to help clients and candidates is an awesome feeling. People trust me and that allows me to provide my input and advice for them. There are so many people I’ve known and communicated with since the beginning of their careers.
What keeps you coming back to recruiting every day?
Recruiting is a great career if you’re good at it and willing to keep trying your hardest. But what really keeps me coming back to recruiting is being able to provide a great life for my family and children. Having a healthy work-life balance at Green Key, and working for people I’m comfortable with, is what gets me up every day and feeling supported.
What sets Green Key apart from other staffing agencies?
We have the expertise. Specifically on the Financial Services team, we have people at the top who have all been doing this for 20+ years. I know that when I’m on the phone with a candidate, I can immediately establish my credibility. We also have the ability to chat with anyone by finding common ground and connecting with people on a personal level. For instance, if I’m talking with someone from Long Island, I can easily start up a conversation and find their story.
What makes the Financial Services team successful?
Teamwork across the board. I’ve never understood the business model where everybody is on their own. You don’t make as much money that way, nor is it productive or reputable. When you’re truly collaborative, as well as competitive, the more successful everyone is. We share our knowledge and database and that creates strong and trusted colleagues within the team.
We also don’t micromanage. New hires will wonder, how do I become an expert in recruiting and Financial Services? The truth is, you have to immerse yourself in the industry. I can teach you parts of it, but the rest you have to learn on your own by talking to your candidates and clients and figuring out how things piece together. That’s how you become the expert.
