Advice and Outlook from Our New Global Head of Recruiting

Previously responsible for Campus and Early Careers Recruiting, Vicki was recently named Global Head of Recruiting, including our experienced professional recruiting efforts. Here, she shares her career path, what she’s focused on in her newly expanded role, and her best advice. 
 

Congratulations on your new role as global head of recruiting for the firm. Before we talk about that, can you give us a quick overview of your career path?
I’ve really grown up at Goldman Sachs – I started as an analyst in campus recruiting in our London office after graduating Boston University as a Government and International Relations major. I came back to the States in 2003 to lead recruiting for our Investment Banking Division, and later, for our Global Markets Division. In 2017, I was asked to head our global campus and early careers recruiting efforts. There have always been new challenges and opportunities, and always a new job to do – it certainly hasn’t been a linear path!

What’s top of mind as you step into your new role?    
There are so many exciting things and priorities our team is focused on. For starters, we’re hiring all across the firm–in key areas like Engineering and Consumer and Wealth Management, and in high-growth places around the world like Dallas, Warsaw, mainland China and elsewhere.

Of course, our aspirational hiring goals are a top priority. Promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is so important to our firm and our future. We’re always focused on improving the experience we offer to candidates and new joiners and we have some tech initiatives focused on taking that to the next level.

And, closer to home, our recruiting team itself is growing which is fantastic – it’s amazing to have new joiners come in with fresh thinking and ideas, and just an exciting time to be in the space. I’m thrilled to lead such a talented team.

What are you most looking forward to in your new role?
I’m so proud of what the team has been able to achieve amidst all of the uncertainty and rockiness of the past 18+ months, so really for me it’s about recognizing the amazing job our team has done and keeping up that momentum. Having spent my career as a recruiter, while the space is always evolving and there are new trends and dynamics to adapt to, at the end of the day I’ve learned that the core of the work – building relationships, helping candidates understand our businesses and opportunities, finding new and compelling ways to engage with candidates – is pretty consistent. So I’m honored and energized to be able to tap into my past experience as a recruiter, as well as the ideas and innovation that the team each bring from their unique roles and perspectives, to help shape our strategy going forward.

What’s kept you at Goldman Sachs for so long?
It’s always been the people, and the breadth of experiences. Whether covering a new business and engaging with new stakeholders, being part of a cross-functional working group, or pivoting to offer virtual and hybrid experiences to candidates and interns over the past 18 months, there have been so many opportunities to stretch and grow throughout my career. And that’s something that I know to be true for so many people across Goldman Sachs – no two days are the same and then suddenly, the time has flown by. 

What do you do for fun outside of the office?
It’s always been important to me to spend time with my team in and outside of the office. It’s been great to be able to get back together for dinners, off-sites, happy hours, etc. to be able to experience the culture of our group. I’m really lucky to be able to spend time with such an amazing, fun group of people. I also prioritize balancing my time with my family. I have two young daughters and two new Cavapoos that constantly keep me on my toes!

What’s the best advice you’ve gotten?
Speak truth to power and it will set you free.

And what advice would you share with job seekers?
Be patient. No one’s ideal career path or even next opportunity materializes overnight – but the diligence you put into networking, doing your research, practicing and interviewing – it will all add up, and it will get you where you want to be. And throughout that process, you’re learning and growing as you go – so try to appreciate the journey as well as the destination you’re aiming for.