Q&A With Andrea Rabe, Lead Talent Partner

Q: Can you tell us about your professional background and what brought you to Inside Talent?

After majoring in Psychology in college, I started my career as a Youth Minister and served at two different churches for about 9 years.  I then got married and chose to stay at home with my children for about 12 years.  In those years, I was highly involved with PTA and other social/service clubs and held various Board roles.  After they were all in school, I decided to get back into the professional working world and started putting feelers out for opportunities.  Through a friend and a holiday party, I landed at a recruiting firm very part time in an operations role which transitioned into training and sourcing.  After three years there, I got connected with Lori Freeman and the rest is history!  My father was in the HR for 40+ years, so I had a great background in knowing about the recruiting and HR industry.

Q: What is your favorite part about working with candidates?

I love to connect with others and help them find their next great opportunity!  I've literally gotten chills when a candidate's desire aligns so well with an opportunity we have.  It's a joy for me to help them grow and develop their professional selves and be a small part of furthering their career journey.

Q: What is the most challenging part about this job?

Currently, this market!  While very lucrative in terms of the volume of opportunities, almost as soon as we find a candidate and have a conversation with them, they may have one, two, or three other competing offers.  You must really be engaged, persistent, and efficient during the whole process.

Q: What is one tip you would give someone just starting out in recruiting?

Give it a try!  If you like people, building relationships, helping/serving others, and are an active listener, this would be a nice industry for you!  

Q: What do you like to do in your free time?

I love to travel and explore new cities/states/countries and cultures.  My children and I enjoy getting out on our boat on Lake Minnetonka any chance we get.  And live music is a love of mine - I enjoy the energy of concerts and music, in general, resonates deeply with me.

Q: If you could choose any other job or profession (regardless of talent and ability) what would it be any why?

I am a helper by nature, so anything around advocacy for those that are underserved and/or underrepresented would be very fulfilling.

Q: What are three words that your friends or family would use to describe you?

Generous, fun, and compassionate

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