#WeAreGreenKey: Spotlight on Larry Greenbaum
Welcome back to #WeAreGreenKey, where we shine a spotlight on our powerhouse recruiting team.
Recently, we had the opportunity to meet with Larry Greenbaum, Executive Director on the Accounting Finance team at Green Key. Larry has been with Green Key since 2014, bringing 20+ years of experience to the accounting, finance, and temp staffing team. Known for his collaborative and supportive approach, Larry excels in mentoring his team, helping candidates advance their careers, and clients identifying qualified candidates in a competitive labor market.
His dedication to professional development and realistic job expectations underscores his passion for the industry and his role at Green Key.
Can you share your career path and how you got started in the financial services industry?
I started in accounting at MTV and then HBO. When I looked to make a job change the staffing firm that interviewed me thought I would be a good fit as an accounting & financial recruiter, so I decided to take a chance and pursue a new career. For over 30 years, I’ve been in accounting and financial staffing, as well as business development for multiple business verticals.
What has been the most rewarding moment in your career?
It’s hard to pinpoint a specific moment, but generally, it’s about helping candidates who are down on their luck, or ready to make a change and finding them a job that sets them on a new path and boosts their career. I’ve been fortunate to have a lot of success in doing that.
The best thanks I receive is through referrals. After many years in this field, I’m not actively recruiting as much anymore. Most of the candidates I work with now are either repeat candidates & clients or people they have referred to me.
So, while it’s difficult to highlight one moment, it’s really about the overall journey of helping people’s careers and seeing them progress.
What keeps you coming back to this business every day?
It’s similar to my previous response, helping people find new jobs and advancing their careers is incredibly rewarding. I really enjoy interacting with clients and, at this point, being a mentor for my team. Sharing my experiences and being a voice of reason when they’re having a frustrating day is something I value. It’s about helping them navigate obstacles so they can learn and grow.
What sets Green Key apart from other recruiting firms?
The overall culture at Green Key is very collaborative, with a lot of support from senior management. They can track and see everything we do, but you never feel micromanaged, which is really important.
The hybrid balance we have right now, with two days in the office, works out very nicely. It’s great to be in the office for collaboration and in-person mentoring, but also have the flexibility to work from home. This allows us to manage our time effectively, whether it’s putting in long hours or taking a break to handle something at home, and then working into the evening if needed.
Having that flexibility is a key part of Green Key’s culture.
What advice would you give to candidates looking to stand out in the current job market?
To be flexible and realistic, candidates often tell us they want a 100% remote position while also looking for growth. Those two don’t typically go together.
Candidates need to present themselves professionally and be realistic. Timely feedback is crucial when we send them for interviews because we’re here to help them. They should also take our constructive feedback seriously. We conduct video interviews not just to meet them face-to-face, but to provide feedback on their presentation.
