The First 18 Months
Hi there! My name is Michelle Fogle and I am a Director at RightClick. I have worked here for three years (Wow, time flies!). I manage multiple large accounts in the Connecticut area and take pride in the relationships I have with both my clients and candidates.
I was fortunate to meet about a dozen people on the team during my interview and the one thing that I was consistently told the first 18 months were going to be the hardest. I asked myself, “How hard can it be? Getting to know people and building relationships always came natural to me. The fact I will be helping job seekers seemed so rewarding.”
Well, I was in for a rude awakening!!! I was getting rejected left and right, people on the other end of the phone didn’t want to talk to me. I didn’t know enough about technology to speak about it confidently, and I didn’t know enough about our clients to effectively sell them to my candidates. The list when on and on. I felt so defeated. My intentions were great, but my results….. not so much! I was working 10-12 hour days, I was having sleepless nights. If it wasn’t for my mentor, Karin Prah, I probably would have thrown in the towel.
That being said, I felt like I had something to prove to myself and Karin, who took me under her wing and walked me through each transaction. As predicted, 18 months later, it “clicked.” It’s hard to pin point what changed, but looking back, I think it was my mindset. I always knew I had the skills to do the job, I just let failure and fear get in the way.
I am telling my story for a few reasons. I want other recruiters who have just started at my firm to know you are not alone. I also want this audience to know what an incredible organization I work for. I never thought I could laugh and cry, while learning so much at work. (Those who know me, aren’t surprised by the laughing and crying in the same breath.) The first 18 months have had their ups and downs, but in the end, it has been worth it, especially at my second home, where they now call me “Ms. RightClick.”