Recruiter Interview – Randi Schuman

What company do you work for?

SBH Fashion

What is your job title?

VP of Talent and Recruitment

What type of recruiting do you do?

I recruit for all levels and disciplines within the following industries: fashion, beauty, wellness, tech and we are expanding verticals. 

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a naturally curious person who is quite stimulated by interpersonal relations and human behavior. I use empathy to help guide my process. As a Recruiter, it is my goal to help other professionals find fulfilling jobs, and help clients find the talent they need to power their businesses.

How did you get into recruiting?

After getting my Masters, I was looking for a way to marry my knowledge and skill set from prior roles in retail/fashion with my higher education in counseling and identified HR as a viable option. I reached out to the President/Owner of SBH Fashion and our conversation evolved organically.  Seven years later, the match has proved successful and lasting.

Tell us about your company.

SBH Fashion is a full-service Talent Acquisition Agency with global reach and deep expertise across industries. We have 40+ years of experience, with a track-record of long-lasting relationships and innovation.

For our clients, finding the right candidate is crucial to their business, and for our candidates, finding the right company is a critical part of their lives. We don’t take our role lightly.

Instead, we make hiring personal. Our team is small, agile and heavily invested in the entire process. We are a family and take the time to get to know one another and our clients. We take the time to understand culture, benefits, the background and specific nuances of each role we work on with you.

Why would a fashion industry job seeker want to work at/with your company?

We are personal and have in-depth conversations. There is a level of intimacy in our work. We strive to understand each candidate’s goals, skills, and personality and where they would best align and thrive.

We don’t believe there is a one-size-fits-all strategy, so we’ve reimagined  the experience to bring transparency, trust and a little bit of fun into every interaction.

Tell us about the hiring process at your company.

At SBH Fashion, you won’t see any upfront costs or fees. That’s just not how we work. We work with all of our clients and candidates and customize our approach. There is a real science to what we do and we use best-in-class technology and innovation.

We start with copious research. We create detailed strategies to place the job where the right candidates live, and we tailor the candidate funnel as we go along. We have a database of over 100,000 candidates, ranging from entry- to C- level, and our candidates are thoroughly screened/vetted, references are verified and background checks completed as required.

What types of fashion industry positions do you recruit for?

We are a generalist agency working mostly in fashion, beauty, wellness (but expanding verticals daily).  We fill roles that are entry level through C suite. We also have a new arm coming down the pipeline that will be focusing on other industries outside of “fashion”–stay tuned!

What sources do you use the most to find fashion industry talent? (jobboards, newspapers, social media, personal networking, colleges, etc…)

A combination of our network and other outlets.

What are some common misconceptions job seekers have about your job?

I think many recognize and see the value of recruiting services. There is a real calculated process to what we do, and a lot of time, effort, and research goes into our searches. It is a match-making process that requires much more than just interpersonal skills, and an ability to build rapport. We have industry experience, knowledge and a network that job seekers and clients can benefit from.

What’s the craziest thing a job seeker has ever said to you?

It was actually on a social media profile of a prospective candidate. There were inappropriate pictures that were public. Social media is an extension of your “brand.” I would keep these pages and profiles private.

What advice do you have for younger job seekers?

Ask lots of questions and connect with everyone….network, network, network! Read and immerse yourself in Whitepages, industry publications, and news.  Also, to be taken with a grain of salt, but sometimes it makes sense to wait it out, don’t be so quick to throw in the towel; the grass is not always greener. Longevity is still compelling to most clients.

What advice do you have for older job seekers?

Stay relevant-–keep abreast of the latest technology, up-and-coming trends, companies and tools. Also, network and speak to anyone and everyone. You never know what might come of that networking. To quote internet entrepreneur Reid Hoffman, “Be passionate, sure, but also think about where your network is strong, and what opportunities that strength creates.”

What are some common mistakes fashion industry job seekers make during the job search process? Resumes/Cover Letters/Correspondence/Applications/Follow-up/Interview/etc…

Not writing a thank-you note–many hiring managers do still find those relevant.

Asking about hours and vacation policies too soon into the process.

Not having an honest narrative to your career trajectory.

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