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Teobesta, Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader at Global Technology and Measurement Insight Company: Advize Career Interview
A Global Diversity and Inclusion and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader at a technology company shares a fascinating career journey, beginning with a biology degree and transitioning through sales and recruitment to leadership roles.
The interview reveals a path built on calculated "leap of faith" career changes, highlighting the importance of skills like influencing, negotiating, and stakeholder management.
The work involves strategic talent acquisition, building inclusive workplaces, coaching others, and leveraging employer branding to attract diverse talent.
A key takeaway is the unexpected financial success achievable in this field, particularly for first-generation college students and immigrants who may face societal pressure to pursue traditional career paths.
The interview also emphasizes the value of leadership opportunities in college and the importance of a growth mindset, positive attitude, and consistent hard work for success in the technology industry.
The advice shared, coupled with personal experiences as a first-generation college student and immigrant, offers invaluable insights into building a rewarding and impactful career in talent acquisition and diversity and inclusion.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Teobesta Ashenafi
Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader
Global Technology and Measurement Insight Company
UC Davis
N/A
Biology & Related Sciences
Electronics & Semiconductors
Human Resources (HR)
Took Out Loans, Immigrant, Greek Life Member, First Generation College Student
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Career Path of a Diversity and Inclusion Talent Leader at Techtronics
Teobesta's career journey showcases a willingness to embrace "leap of faith" career changes, starting with a biology degree and clinical diagnostics work before transitioning into sales and then recruitment. This led to leadership roles in talent acquisition and global diversity, equity, and inclusion at a technology company, where they significantly reduced "time to fill" for open roles and developed a global DEI strategy.
Main Responsibilities of a Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Acquisition Leader at Tech Company
Teobesta's dual role focuses on building a "strategy that will attract top diverse talent" through a strong recruitment team and partnering with HR functions to develop leadership and support employee resource groups (ERGs). This involves creating tools and systems to foster a sense of belonging, ensuring "at every touchpoint of the employee lifecycle, adding value to employees."
A Day In The Life Of A Diversity And Inclusion Talent Acquisition Leader At A Global Tech Company
A day for this Global Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Acquisition Leader involves juggling many meetings, from weekly team alignments to presentations for global leaders on DEI principles and "micro learnings." The work also includes data analysis to understand employee sentiment and develop solutions, along with hands-on talent acquisition tasks like "problem-solving on a requisition" or navigating "multiple offers" to create win-win scenarios.
Most Important Skills For A Diversity And Inclusion Talent Acquisition Leader At A Global Technology Company
Teobesta, a Global Diversity and Inclusion and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader, highlights "influencing" and "negotiating" as crucial skills, alongside "stakeholder management" and "coaching" for success in their dual roles. The ability to leverage "employer branding" to attract a diverse workforce is also cited as a key skill, showcasing the importance of strategic talent acquisition in building a diverse and inclusive workplace.
Favorite Parts Of Being A Diversity Inclusion And Talent Acquisition Leader At A Tech Company
Teobesta's favorite aspect of their roles as a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader involves coaching and inspiring others, embodying Kobe Bryant's quote about inspiring "people so they can be great in whatever they do". This includes fostering a safe space for authentic self-expression and accountability within their teams, ultimately aiming to develop top talent and increase organizational satisfaction through leadership growth.
Biggest Challenges Faced By a Diversity and Inclusion and Talent Acquisition Leader at a Global Technology Company
Teobesta's biggest challenge as a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader is "stakeholder management," navigating conflicting priorities by setting clear expectations and fostering strong partnerships—for example, between hiring managers and recruiters—to achieve optimal outcomes. This focus on collaboration and clear communication highlights the importance of proactive process management in such a multifaceted role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Human Resources Industry as a Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Talent Acquisition Leader
Teobesta, a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader, finds the most rewarding aspect of their HR career is "partnering with individuals and help[ing] them through their career journey," a role that allows for industry agnosticism while making a significant impact across multiple sectors.
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Technology And Semiconductor Industry According To A Talent Acquisition Leader At A Global Technology Company
Teobesta, a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader, emphasizes that success in the technology and semiconductor industry hinges less on specific skills and more on personal attributes: "it's about the type of person you are," possessing "a positive attitude and a growth mindset," demonstrating "consistency" and a commitment to "delivering on high expectations" through hard work and adaptability.
What a Global Diversity and Inclusion and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader at a Global Technology Company wishes they had known before entering the Human Resources industry
Teobesta, a Global Diversity and Inclusion and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader, revealed a crucial insight: "there's money to be made" in talent acquisition and diversity & inclusion, contrary to the limited career expectations often placed on immigrants. This career path offers lucrative opportunities, diverse avenues for growth ("you can go into the staffing world...or into an organization...and lead their talent acquisition teams"), and can serve as a springboard to other HR roles, such as diversity & inclusion leadership.
Entry-Level Positions For Aspiring Recruiters
Teobesta, a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader, highlights entry-level roles such as "recruit recruiter," advising that agency recruitment offers valuable skills in "actively listening" and business development. Other options include internal sourcing roles focusing on diverse talent and talent specialist roles handling onboarding and background checks, which are "an integral piece" of a successful employee journey.
Significant Career Lesson From a Diversity and Talent Leader at Technology Company
Teobesta's most significant career lesson is to "control what you can control," focusing energy on impactful areas within their influence and avoiding wasted effort on uncontrollable factors. This approach, focusing on problem-solving and anticipating potential issues, increases the likelihood of success in their roles as a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader.
College Experiences That Helped a Global Diversity and Talent Leader at a Technology Company Succeed
Teobesta's undergraduate experience focused on actively seeking "leadership opportunities," developing this crucial skill through involvement in organizations like a sorority and the Ethiopian and Eritrean student union. This consistent pursuit of challenging roles, described as "sharpening metal against metal," directly contributed to their success as a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader and Americas Talent Acquisition Leader.
How Identity Has Influenced a Global Diversity and Inclusion Leader at a Tech Company's Career
Teobesta, a first-generation college student and immigrant, describes how societal expectations within their Ethiopian community emphasized careers like doctor, lawyer, or engineer as markers of success. However, their career journey prioritized finding "the work that makes you happy," leading to roles in sales, business, talent acquisition, and ultimately a leadership position in global diversity and inclusion; this path enabled them to give back to their family and community in a meaningful way.
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