"I started with Verizon as a recruiter in August of 2005 after five years as a professional recruiter for a firm [that] serviced Verizon. The needs of the organization internally were very similar to the services that I provided externally, and through hard work and a constant desire for growth, I was promoted into the supervisory position," said Holt. All of Holt's past experiences, including his sales background, his tenure in recruiting, and his time at Verizon, have provided him with the tools he utilizes every day.
Like any organization, Verizon can face challenges when it comes to hiring the most qualified individuals. Through perseverance and the use of non-traditional recruiting styles—including cold-calling, networking, candidate management, and diversity recruiting—the national recruiting team meets the hiring needs of the organization. The team strives to hire the most qualified employees, and its goal is to source, attract, and retain the most well-rounded candidates with optimal previous experience, education, and training across all needs of the business. "Verizon's workforce believes in the company and the direction that we are headed through our corporate culture of training and growth," said Holt.
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When asked if he has had any significant mentors or influential colleagues during his career, Holt replied, "My previous supervisor, Kelly McCorkle, has provided me with many of the tools that I need to prosper within Verizon's culture on a professional basis."
Holt advises business students and others interested in pursuing human resources positions to hone their recruiting skills. "You must learn to be a consultant, a subject-matter expert, a salesperson, an advocate, and a manager," said Holt. "Recruiting in the information technology sector requires a special attention to the technology. The most successful recruiters in IT will have a broad knowledge of how the technology works and how individual technologies can function as a whole."
