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ATR Headshot (2)For more than 30 years, our successes at ATR have been driven by our team of dedicated staffing professionals. Our people are at the core of everything we do. With this in mind, our Employee Spotlight series is offering a behind-the-scenes look at the people who make our ATR family great. This month, Laura Curtin, Sr. Major Accounts Executive is taking us backstage to learn more about life at ATR.

 

1.    Briefly describe your ATR journey.

I started working with ATR in 2011, and within the first days, I knew it was a perfect match. I came from a huge corporate HR and talent acquisition background in companies with up to 80,000 employees, but I loved the family-owned feel of ATR. I also loved the broad reach of ATR—with fewer than 200 employees, the team is able to staff huge Fortune 500 companies across the nation. To me, that’s impressive. I started as an administrative recruiter, was promoted to technical recruiting, was promoted again to sales, became Regional Director overseeing the San Diego team, went on a three-year maternity leave, and CAME BACK a few weeks ago as a Senior Major Accounts Executive.

2.    What do you love most about your job?

The people I get to connect with daily! I completely respect the whole leadership team at ATR. They are solid, down-to-earth people who are strategic and altruistic. I also enjoy all of the ATR team members – recruiters, HR, finance, IT, administrative support – all some of the most down-to-earth people I know and SHARP in their roles. We completely support each other and are NEVER too busy to help each other. I love my job because of the people I work with and the clients I am able to network with for ATR. I also value the opportunities for individual growth and development at ATR. I enjoy being an individual contributor, and when I am in people management roles, I enjoy leading through example and serving.

3.      What is your favorite thing to do in San Diego?

My favorite thing to do in San Diego is have lunch with friends and clients at Hotel Del Coronado on the beach. The hotel was built in 1888 and is a National Historic Landmark. It’s breathtaking, and the views from the deck are pristine. Sipping a famous San Diego mojito and having a great conversation with warm breezes and palm trees – a little bit of heaven! And if I am not doing that, I love to hike the many mountainous trails near Poway, CA.

Flying Dragon ATR

4.      What is your top piece of advice for clients, candidates, or those who are new to the staffing industry?

For Clients: When we know what our clients need, I will move mountains to make it happen and find the best possible solutions.

For Candidates: Your resume is all you have to express who you are to get you on an interview. Treat it as HIGHLY SPECIAL and put much thought into it! Often candidates think they will ‘explain more’ on the interview, but they may be passed up if experience is not expressed.

New to staffing: ENJOY! Staffing is fast paced and FUN! To me, it is the perfect opportunity to give back to the community. Making matches for companies and candidates alike changes lives! That is our motto here: “Making the world a better place, one job at a time.” We are part of something bigger than ourselves and are able to serve in a HUGE way making huge impacts!

5.      What has been your proudest moment at ATR?

Opening the office in San Diego. It was a new challenge to find a location perfect to match ATR’s high-quality image along with identifying top recruiting talent for the office. In the five years that the office has been here, the team has been evolving and continuing to grow. There is so much more to come for the team in San Diego as well as the broader ATR team—our offices are very connected!

6.      One piece of life or career advice I’d give to a mentee:

POSITIVITY. The power of positive thinking will help you in life. To me, the single most important gift we have as human beings is hope. Focusing on hope, believing in others and ourselves helps keep a positive outlook. Many things happen in life and in the workplace that can be considered challenges, but positive thinking always helps us navigate and build strong relationships along the way. I’d like to share a few of my favorite quotes:

 “A man is but the product of his thoughts and what he thinks, be becomes.” Mahtma Gandi

“Always stay humble and kind.” Tim McGraw

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope or confidence.” Helen Keller

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