Kforce Employee Spotlight: Kelli Mahoney
Our employees’ individual stories are what makes Kforce fun and unique. This month, Kelli Mahoney is in the spotlight. Read about her Kforce journey as a Finance and Accounting Recruiter and why she believes our company culture is irreplaceable.
How did you get your start at Kforce?
Before Kforce, I worked in the hospitality industry in operations. Meeting new people every day, the fast-paced environment and skillful collaboration were things that I loved about that job. I was happy with my job in operations and wasn’t actively looking for a different job. But one day, I was contacted by a Kforce recruiter for an internal position. At the time, I wasn’t too familiar with the recruiting industry. I did some research and found that the factors I loved about my previous job could also be found in recruiting. So, I interviewed and accepted the offer!
What made you want to join our Kforce Family?
I knew I wanted to be a part of Kforce the first time I stepped into the office. The environment was lively, energetic and busy. After the interview, I met with the team. Everyone was friendly and seemed excited to welcome a newbie into the office.
One ‘ah-ha’ moment that made me realize that I wanted to be a part of the Kforce Family was after I heard a story from one of our directors. The director that hired me told me about how she had left Kforce and returned because nothing compared to her career at Kforce. Since I was just starting my Kforce career, it truly resonated with me. My director, who had ample experience and could get a job anywhere, decided to come back to Kforce because of the culture and opportunities. This made me realize that I was working at a great company.
What do you enjoy most about your career?
I love the direct impact that we have in peoples’ lives. It’s a humbling experience when you can help someone achieve their dream job. I work in a field that weighs heavily on your emotions but in a good way!
Another part of my job that makes me want to go to work every morning is our office culture. We have team happy hours, friendly work-place competitions and every Friday, we each take turns bringing in breakfast.
What was your very first concert, and are you looking forward to any concerts in the future?
I attended my first concert when I was 10. My dad, uncle and brothers bought tickets to see The Who. I had grown up listening to their music in the car, so I was familiar with their songs. Nonetheless, it was a unique experience.
I absolutely love concerts and the experience they give. I have a few upcoming concerts on my radar. Every year, I look forward to Outside Lands, which is a music festival in San Francisco. I also have tickets to Odesza and Lauryn Hill for next month, which I’m excited about!
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
Most people do not know that I taught preschool and school-age children on military bases in the Netherlands and Okinawa. The opportunity to connect and work with people from around the world, and to immerse myself in other cultures was unlike any experience. Not only was I able to teach kids from around the world, but I also had the chance to be taught by my peers and students. It was great to see everyone collaborate, translate for each other and teach different games and songs to the group. I was also able to travel to different European countries on the weekends, which was another huge benefit to this experience.
What tips would you give to a new recruiter entering the staffing industry?
One thing that I was told early on and a lesson that I’ve learned thus far is that there are going to be inevitable changes that will impact you, your team and the firm. But, don’t let those changes affect you negatively.
Another piece of advice that I have is that you need to take the initiative for your success. If something is not working for you, raise your hand and get the help you need.