Episode 61: ROCS Wrapped 2025
Leaving The Nest
I am very excited about this episode because I am, for the first time ever, joined by ROCS colleagues and ! Sage walks us through her journey from Recruiter to Account Manager, reflecting on her unique college experience during the pandemic, her career pivot, and the thrill of earning her promotion. Piper shares her start at ROCS straight out of college, including a first day unlike any other, which turned into an unexpected bonding experience with the team. Both of them offer thoughtful advice for recent grads, highlighting the value of being coachable, flexible, and open to feedback in...
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Episode 60: Thriving in a Remote Setting
Leaving The Nest
Join me for this episode of Leaving the Nest as I discuss how to not only be successful but to thrive when working remotely! I highlight the importance of setting up a dedicated workspace at home with as few distractions as possible, a reliable internet connection, and clear boundaries with family, roommates, and pets, and I also stress the need for a consistent daily routine - including getting dressed and ready for the workday, taking breaks, and managing time effectively! Communication is so important when working remotely, and I recommend over-communicating with your team, being...
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Episode 59: Office Etiquette
Leaving The Nest
Office etiquette and professionalism when starting a new job – you have probably heard these terms before and have heard that they are important, but you might not be aware of just how important that they are even for entry-level positions. Having prior experience in an office environment is highly valued by employers, and this can include things like internships, part-time campus jobs, or any role that involves working in a professional setting. Listen in as I cover several key aspects of office etiquette, beginning with punctuality. I advise arriving 15-20 minutes early each day, not just...
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Episode 58: Regret or Adjustment? Making Sense of a New Job
Leaving The Nest
Episode 58: Regret or Adjustment? How to Handle New Job Anxiety Starting a new job and already questioning your decision? In this episode of Leaving the Nest, we explore the common signs of new job regret, how to tell if what you’re feeling is just part of the adjustment period, and how to navigate the uncertainty with confidence and professionalism. Whether you’re overwhelmed by a new office environment, struggling with your manager’s style, or just missing your old routine, this episode will help you break it down. We’ll walk through how to: Identify the real reasons behind new job...
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Episode 57: You Accepted the Job—Here’s What Happens Next
Leaving The Nest
Let’s take a moment to discuss the steps and considerations that are involved after accepting a job offer, from the perspective of both the employee and the employer. We’ll highlight why it's so important to be proactive and responsive during the onboarding process, as this is still part of the "first impression" stage! I’ll outline several key steps that new employees should take, such as promptly starting the background check and paperwork, providing two weeks' notice at their current job, and preparing for the first day by researching the company, commute, dress code, and more....
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Episode 56: From Offer to Onboarding: Navigating Background Checks
Leaving The Nest
One of the final steps in the hiring process that can cause a lot of stress and anxiety is the pre-employment background check which is why I am thrilled to be bringing you this conversation with Kristy Wheeler-Scott, an HR professional with over 8 years of experience, to get the inside scoop on what to expect! Kristy explains that background checks are a very important part of the hiring process, allowing employers to verify qualifications, minimize risk, and ensure cultural fit. While the specific details can vary by industry and organization, most background checks cover criminal records,...
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Episode 55: Final Interviews: Don't Celebrate Too Soon
Leaving The Nest
You have made it to the final round of interviews! Congratulations are in order for making it this far, especially since that means that you definitely have the job, right? Wrong. Just because you have made it to the final round of interviews does not mean that it’s time to mentally accept the job, and in this episode, I am breaking down the very real, very overlooked truth about final round interviews: they’re still interviews. You haven’t crossed the finish line yet, and treating it like a victory lap could cost you dearly. I walk you through what it actually means to be a final round...
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Episode 54: Eyes on You: Winning Over the Panel
Leaving The Nest
Let’s talk this week about the dreaded panel interview. Yes, the panel interview, the one where you’re the only person on one side of the table (or Zoom screen), and there are four or five people staring at you from the other side, shooting rapid-fire questions at you. I know; this doesn't sound fun, but that's why I am doing this episode of Leaving the Nest! If you caught the last episode, we talked about group interviews – multiple candidates, one or two hiring managers, but today we’re flipping that for this episode - one candidate (you), multiple interviewers (them), and, of...
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Episode 53: Standing Out in the Crowd: Mastering Group Interviews
Leaving The Nest
This episode is one that I know a lot of you have asked about because, let’s be honest, group interviews are intimidating. They’re uncomfortable, they’re high-pressure, and half the time you walk in wondering if you’re supposed to treat the other candidates like competition or potential coworkers. If you’ve never been a part of a group interview, you are not alone. I actually haven’t either (at least not as a candidate), but I have sat in on the other side, and let me tell you, there are things I’ve seen that still haunt me. That's why I am spending time in this episode to break...
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Episode 52: How to Lose a Job in 10 Days
Leaving The Nest
Thanks for tuning back in to Leaving the Nest, dear listeners! Join me for this episode as I discuss a topic that might sound a bit tongue-in-cheek at first: how to lose a job in 10 days (inspired, of course, by the 2003 rom-com How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days)! Of course, I am not actually setting you up for failure; instead, we will focus on what NOT to do when starting a new job so that you can avoid making costly mistakes right out of the gate. It's so important to make a positive impression, and I am using this episode to share some practical tips on how to do just that! From being punctual...
info_outlineToday, Ana Kuzemka, our newest Recruiting Manager joins me to share her journey with ROCS and reflect on the accomplishments of our team this past year.
As we close the chapter on 2023, we enjoyed taking a stroll down memory lane and reflecting on the exciting events, milestones, highlights, and lessons learned this year at ROCS!
Join us as we bid farewell to 2023 and look forward to what's in store for the ROCS team in the coming year.
Thanks again for listening to "Leaving The Nest." I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ana! Please leave us a review wherever you are listening and share this episode with others you know who are just "Leaving the Nest."
In This Episode
[00:33] - Today, we're wrapping up 2023 with a conversation with Ana Kuzemka, the new Recruiting Manager at ROCS, with a look at her two-year tenure with the company and a look back at the year at ROCS.
[02:04] - Ana provides insights into her journey, noting the challenges of transitioning from part-time to full-time and her perspective shift from business marketing to recruiting.
[09:00] - Kathleen shares the joy of Jessica's return from maternity leave, celebrating the arrival of her son, Griffin, and highlighting Jessica's essential role in the team.
[11:18] - Kathleen introduces the March Madness bracket challenge, recalling the amusing tradition of her puppy Muffin and the surprising outcome this year.
[13:26] - Kathleen transitions to another Q1 event, recalling an internal contest at ROCS where participants could choose prizes.
[17:53] - Kathleen reflects on the significance of ROCS being represented at career fairs.
[18:37] - Kathleen recognizes the Core Values Recognition Award as a way to appreciate team members who stand out and commends Ana's well-deserved recognition.
[20:05] - Kathleen announces Ana's promotion to Lead Recruiter and asks Ana to share her experience with the transition.
[21:27] - Ana reflects on the progress of learning and achieving a task in a short period, appreciating the growth and improvement.
[25:47] - Kathleen recaps Q3, highlighting ROCS outings to Rudy's, more qualifiers for the company trip, and Abby's promotion to Recruiting Manager, commending Abby for her hard work and positive energy.
[29:41] - Kathleen discusses the continuous growth of the team and encourages potential candidates to apply, emphasizing the rewarding experience of seeing candidates grow in their careers.
[30:13] - ROCS impact and evolution in the past 20 years.
[33:15] - Kathleen acknowledges the team's hard work in a hiring sprint, expressing gratitude for their dedication and successful outcomes.
[45:02] - Kathleen and Ana share their resolutions for 2024.
[47:27] - Thanks again for listening to Leaving the Nest. To find your next job, visit us at ROCS Grad Staffing. If you are a business in need of help staffing entry-level positions in your office, please reach out to Kathleen directly at Kathleen@rocsjobs.com. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, please call Kathleen at 703-579-6677.
Resources:
ROCS Grad Staffing
Listen to Leaving The Nest Podcast
Connect with Kathleen:
Kathleen@rocsjobs.com
LinkedIn
Call: 571-446-2819
Connect with Ana:
Ana@rocsjobs.com
LinkedIn