Make Your First Impression Count

Hi. I’m Haila Yates, the new Marketing and Outreach Manager for Greenlights. I bring with me a five-year history of professional communications experience from two Austin nonprofits: Helping the Aging, Needy and Disabled, Inc. (formerly Services for the Elderly, Inc.) and Girl Scouts of Central Texas. I’d like to tell you about my introduction to Greenlights through the application and interview process because I think making quality hiring decisions is one of the first steps to doing great work.

The process was clear, intentional and collaborative, and highly focused on ensuring that I would be a good fit in the Greenlights’ culture.

I found the job posting in a tweet from @kerri_qunell (thanks Kerri!), which took me to the TANO job board and eventually led me to Greenlights’ website. The job description was very clear and, beyond position requirements and expectations, it included an application deadline, which informed me of when I could expect to hear back regarding an interview.

After submitting a resume, cover letter and three writing samples, I was contacted to schedule my first interview – a phone interview. A couple days before the interview, I was sent an introductory survey to further identify my strengths related to the position, my preferred work environment, and to ensure I would be comfortable with the salary and benefits being offered. The phone interview took only 30 minutes and focused on how I saw myself as a good candidate and a good fit at Greenlights. I followed up with an informal thank-you email.

Following the third interview, I was contacted to schedule a second interview in which I would meet with the management team. A couple days before the in-person interview I was asked to complete a behavior analysis using the DISC assessment. In case you’re wondering, I’m an S with high levels of C and I; very low D.

In the third interview, I met with Matt Kouri, Tara Kirkland and Kim Wilson to further discuss my approach to specific challenges, my communication and behavior styles, and what I expected to get out of the job. I also shared my portfolio, which put the interview at an hour and a half. I followed up this interview with a more formal thank-you email that elaborated on concerns I picked up on in the interview, and further emphasized my sincere interest in the position and passion for Greenlights’ mission.

Following the second interview, my references were contacted and I was invited back for a third interview with the entire staff. Admittedly, I was thrown off by the prospect of a third interview and intimidated at the thought of being questioned by the entire staff (which I believe was around seven at the time). The team interview also told me that collaboration was truly valued at Greenlights, which was something I was looking for. This final interview didn’t require follow-up, as I was offered the position the same day.

Though the process felt intense at times, it also felt much like a courting. We took time to get to know each other before making an investment that would help further our success mutually.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering why I wanted this job, it was the Greenlights mission, vision, values and beautifully outlined 2008-2010 strategic plan that really hooked me. If you’re looking for a job, I recommend reading tips on improving your application pieces first in “7 Reasons Why Your Application Went to the No Pile.”