As a continuation of our new series – “Five Minute Friday” – we’re introducing you to Mark Ragland, Vice President, Science & Agriculture. Mark brings 17 years of experience in the recruiting business and has built his success by focusing on details and building strong relationships with clients. He has consistently ranked in the top 10% in placement revenue across all of SearhPath’s offices, proving that he continues to meet client needs.
What drew you to the field of recruitment?
I was never much of a corporate traditionalist and recruitment offered me opportunity to manage my own boutique corporation from a single desk.
What is your favorite client story?
There have been too many years of client stories to choose a single favorite. My favorite story type, however, has always involved helping my clients solve mission-critical searches and delivering candidates that exceed expectations.
What do you find the most interesting about the Science & Agriculture sector?
This sector is at the forefront of innovation for all the world’s consumables, influencing how we will eat and use resources in the coming decades.
How have the challenges of 2020 changed the way you approach recruiting?
The challenges of 2020 are scarcely different from the challenges of 2009 or 2001. It’s a recession – in a recession, we put greater emphasis on business development and focus more exclusively on mission critical searches. It is important as well to hold the line with fee percentages and to impart to our clients the benefits of mutually committed searches. A miss-hire in these times would be particularly devastating to a struggling company.
Fun fact about you?
It’s important to remember to have fun and keep one’s spirits high in life and at work. We keep music playing in the background throughout the day, and a great release after about 20-25 stressful phone calls is to dance to music for a few moments without worry of how one looks. If you were to visit our office and catch me in such a moment, it would certainly give you a good chuckle.