CarMax…..the NEW Pepsi When Looking for High-End HR Talent!

By Kathy Rapp · 01.15.2009 · 2 Comments
Tagged: Candidate Pool, Kathy Rapp, Recruiting ·

I admit it; a good majority of my iPod library consists of 70′s & 80′s music. I can argue the merits of Led Zeppelin, AC/DC or U2 with any Millennial. I was also fairly convinced that most of the 90′s and today’s music blows compared to those talents that paved the way for the likes of the Jonas Brothers.

Thankfully, I have a younger brother. He reminds me that there are performers who still have all their hair and don’t need Metamucil that I should take some time to listen to – - and over the years he’s turned me on to the likes of Green Day, Jason Mraz and Fall Out Boy. I’m now a fan of Theory Of A Deadman, The Killers and Seether – most of whom weren’t even born until the 80′s.

My former attitude towards music is analogous to some clients’ attitudes towards HR leaders’ pedigrees. If GE, PepsiCo or IBM are not in bold on the resume, don’t bother submitting. Hmmm….

My job, much like my brother’s role with me, is to open minds to the NEW Pepsi’s and other incubators of HR talent. This knowledge is available to me, via the power of niche recruiting, as I am exposed to highly talented HR Directors, VPs, SVPs and other “leaders-in-waiting” who did not grow up with Jack Welch.

Think about where Millennials want to work these days. Is IBM or Exxon Mobil at the top of their lists? I think not – and up and coming HR talent is no different. If you look at the backgrounds of some of the top HR folks and their teams at CarMax, Collective Brands, Yahoo and Starbucks, you’ll find Verizon, The Home Depot, Nike, Intuit, Capital One, HP and Kaiser Permanente – - as well as stops in organizations that have never seen print in Fortune Magazine.

As a HR talent professional, I need to advise my clients to consider a different pedigree; not better or lesser as everyone knows Pepsi, GE and IBM still produce top HR talent. The key is to focus more on leadership character, results, business acumen, progressive thinking, integrity and authenticity. There is also tremendous value in building a diversified HR team – from new organizations, industries, perspectives and from those who have had new HR mentors.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to scan iTunes for the next Led Zeppelin.

Kathy Rapp is a Managing Director of hrQ in Texas, where she helps companies find groovy HR Talent or HR Consultants to drive business results. Prior to joining hrQ, Kathy booked more than 15 years of human resources leadership experience working for such companies as Morgan Stanley and First Data Corporation. A connoisseur of the intersection between pop culture and business, Kathy believes many talent issues can be addressed via the succession planning lessons experienced by Van Halen (David Lee/Sammy and sadly, Gary Cherone).