Blanca Chavez

Blanca, a graduate of Kent with an MSc in Human Resources Management (2017) and an MA in International Relations (2016), is a Senior Business Recruiting Partner at Northwest Centre. 

Blanca values continuous learning and applies strategic skills gained at Kent in her daily work. 

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

Since graduating in 2017, I returned home to Seattle, WA, where I began kickstarting my HR career. I worked in various HR roles within a corporate setting until I landed my first recruiting position in 2018. I started as an HR Coordinator, where I handled a range of tasks such as recruiting, orientations, employee relations, and culture building.

I then transitioned to a Talent Acquisition Recruiting Partner role, where I recruited for a third-party insurance company, hiring for both technical and non-technical positions across the US. After that, I joined my current company, Northwest Centre, where I focus on our contract relationship with Amazon, recruiting for roles contracted to us throughout the US.I have a passion for learning and typically undertake a certificate every few years to further enhance my skills.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

My typical day varies, but I usually start by conducting the bulk of my phone interviews in the morning. Each phone interview lasts about 30 minutes and consists of questions I have vetted and received approval for from my hiring managers. After conducting these interviews, I present my findings to the hiring managers, who then decide whether to invite candidates for an in-person interview. I also provide a write-up of my notes, highlighting any red flags, green flags, and my recommendations.

I prefer to stack my interviews so I can conduct 6-7 phone interviews in a day. I aim to prioritize these interviews in the morning to leave the afternoon open for administrative work. My admin tasks can include meetings with hiring managers, 1:1 sessions, team huddles, or project-based meetings. As a full-cycle recruiter, I manage the entire recruitment process from start to finish, which includes sourcing, candidate contact and management, monitoring onboarding, and sending first-day details.

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

The highlight of my career so far has been my experience at Northwest Centre, which I joined in 2019. My division discussed the potential for expansion into the HQ2 area with our client, Amazon, in the DMV (Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia) area for our contract. In 2020, we successfully expanded into the DMV area with Amazon and have continued to grow our presence in that region. I was proud to be a part of that launch and to help develop the account there. It has been incredible to witness our partnership flourish, allowing me to continually refine and flex my skills as a recruiter.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

I believe my time at Kent positioned me as a unique candidate in the job market. I had the opportunity to take some wonderful courses, such as Employee Relations and Recruitment. One memorable project involved creating a recruitment plan for "non-typical" roles; my group was tasked with developing a recruitment strategy for a car salesman. This experience broadened my perspective on how to approach recruiting and tailor strategies for each role.

I still carry those lessons with me in my daily work. For each position I recruit for, I develop a customized recruitment plan, which challenges me even if it's a role I've filled before. It was courses like this that Kent offered that taught me to be a strategic thinker, be curious, thoughtful and never be afraid to ask questions. This was also encouraged in my courses as well.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

Be patient and avoid comparing yourself to others. I know it's easier said than done, but comparison can be detrimental to your growth.

If you're interested in recruitment or HR, stay curious and continuously seek to learn. This could be through pursuing certificates, reading, or attending workshops. Always ask questions and understand your "why." Why do you want to work in HR or recruitment?

For me, my "why" is rooted in my passion for working with people, managing multiple tasks (like my requisitions), solving problems, and being creative. My recruitment philosophy is simple: I became a recruiter so that others don’t have to go through the frustrating hiring process I experienced, which often included not hearing back from companies or being ghosted by recruiters.

Did you get involved in any extracurricular activities as a student?

Yes, I did! I participated in the Employability Program and held an internship with Canterbury Connected Business Improvement District, where I worked as a Marketing Intern. This role significantly helped me secure a job when I returned to the U.S. as a Consultant for a local theatre.

I was also actively involved with the Catholic Society (CathSoc). I have wonderful memories from that time, including trips to Paris and Bruges. I made lifelong friends from all over the world, and I cherish the connections I maintain with them whenever I can.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

My favourite memory at Kent revolves around the personal growth I experienced. Although I had visited the UK for a short-term study abroad during my undergraduate studies, I always knew I wanted to stay longer. Coming to Kent instilled in me the confidence to learn about myself, become independent, and discover what I truly valued in life.

I grew immensely during my time at Kent, both personally and academically. I was challenged in ways I never thought possible, and I developed a habit of questioning the "why" behind things because I wanted to understand deeply. Overall, Kent will always hold a special place in my heart for the opportunities it provided me to grow personally, professionally, and academically.

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I think I would have gotten involved in more societies at KBS. I think that those societies could have helped me become more comfortable with networking, get more acclimated in the business world, and have a more concrete career path. However, I loved my time at Kent and don't regret it.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

Yes, I am! Because Kent has such an international community, I have friends and alumni located all over the world. I love connecting with them and keeping in touch with former classmates through LinkedIn and social media. Also, I’ve maintained contact with various departments at Kent, who have invited me to share my story and progress.

What are your future ambitions?

I aim to continue growing in the field of Talent Acquisition, particularly in the technical recruiting space, ideally at a tech company or in a start-up environment. I also aspire to advance into management, with goals of becoming a Head of Talent Acquisition, VP of Talent Acquisition, or a similarly titled role where I can mentor, coach, and lead recruiters in the field. Additionally, I would love to move abroad again one day, whether that be in the UK or another European.