Natalie Hand

Regional Manager (NL), Meridia Recruitment, A Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette Company

Natalie is a proud Newfoundlander, so it is with great pride that she supports the recruitment needs of local organizations as they reap the benefits of the province’s growing energy industry. Residing in St. John’s, Newfoundland, Natalie is the regional manager of Meridia Recruitment, the contingency recruitment offering from Atlantic Canada’s largest Human Capital Solutions Firm—Knightsbridge Robertson Surrette.

Born and raised in St. John’s, Natalie left the province to complete her post-secondary education. Having earned a bachelor of arts (political science) from Acadia University and a certificate of business and marketing from Mount Saint Vincent University, Natalie began her career in recruitment. A natural networker with a can-do attitude, Natalie has an unwavering commitment to uncover the best possible candidates for her clients.

When an opportunity arose to return to her home province and support the region’s growth, she jumped at the chance. Since then, she has connected talent to opportunity across the region, from the remote areas of Labrador to the heart of the province’s capital city. Natalie’s specialty? The unique recruitment needs of the region’s energy industry.

We asked Natalie:

The OGM: Have you had a mentor?

Natalie: When I first started in my recruitment career, I had a great boss. She was a fantastic mentor. She was very skilled at what she did; she shared that knowledge with me and taught me how to navigate the challenges of managing a recruitment assignment. She also pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me tap into my own potential. She was a huge influence, and I am very fortunate for that experience.

The OGM: What does success mean to you?

Natalie: Success means being able to do something I am passionate about and being able to help others succeed while I’m at it.

The OGM: If you were to describe your career in three words, what would they be?

Natalie: Fun. Rewarding. Relationships.

The OGM: What advice would you give to someone looking for a career in the Energy Industry?

Natalie: I would tell them to keep an open mind. The energy industry is broad with a lot of options, and there is a wealth of expertise in our region. Actively seek learning opportunities and take advantage of the advice and knowledge provided by the people in front of you.

The OGM: Describe a milestone in your career?

Natalie:  Moving home to Newfoundland to expand our firm’s business in this province was a big milestone. I was trusted with a great responsibility, and I had a vision of what we could achieve. Managing such growth in our Newfoundland office, adding great team members, and seeing the demand from clients for our service has been very exciting.

The OGM: Describe a challenge you faced in your career?

Natalie: It used to be more of a challenge to recruit people to this part of the country. When I would approach potential candidates, they often had to be convinced about the benefits of living and working on the East Coast. Now, we are definitely on the map. My phone rings with candidates who want to be part of the energy industry here.

The OGM: What impact does technology have on your career?

Natalie: It’s essential. I am always accessible and can connect with clients and candidates anywhere, anytime. I always say that my iPhone is the best and worst thing that ever happened to me!

The OGM: What do the next five years look like in your career?

Natalie: Very exciting, but, happily, it’s somewhat unknown. Looking ahead, our organization is positioned for more growth in Newfoundland, and I am excited to play a role in leading that. Five years from now, the sky is the limit.

The OGM: Were you always interested in a career in Energy?

Natalie: The energy sector has always been an interesting one, but, initially, I wasn’t sure how I could fit into it. Recruitment is the perfect mix for me; I’m involved in all aspects of the industry by connecting clients with great talent.

The OGM: What interests you to sustain a career in the Energy Industry?

Natalie: It’s pretty amazing to see Newfoundland and Labrador on the forefront of the global industry. I want to be part of that.

The OGM: What is your favorite APP on your phone?

Natalie: Goodreads—an APP where you can share and find book recommendations. It’s very useful.

The OGM: What impact will the Millennial Generation have on the Energy Industry?

Natalie: I think they are going to have a big impact in helping the industry embrace change and new approaches. One of the characteristics of Millennials is that they seek change as a constant. I think their perspective will define alternative energy options and sustainability as opportunities to embrace.

The OGM: What’s your take on Social Media and our ever changing digital world?

Natalie: Social media puts everything in real time. That has a huge impact.

The OGM: What Social Medium do you use on a daily basis?

Natalie: LinkedIn.

The OGM: Do you use Social Media for work?

Natalie: Absolutely. I’m a big fan of LinkedIn. It is an awesome resource to expand my network. It helps me reach and connect with a pool of candidates that I wouldn’t necessarily have access to.

The OGM: What do you think of Social Recruiting?

Natalie: I love it! In my world, it is a necessity and using social mediums, such as LinkedIn or Twitter, helps us reach candidates in a new way. Social recruiting is just one way that we engage candidates, but it’s an important one.

The OGM: Why do you love what you do?

Natalie: I get to connect people with amazing job opportunities. I consider it a privilege to do this for our clients. It’s very satisfying to see the impact that great talent has on a business.