SHRMingham was fortunate enough, a few weeks back, to interview Jennifer Sanders from CTS. Here's what we found out!!!
1. Name, Company and Position- Jennifer Sanders, Computer Technology Solutions, Inc.
(CTS), Human Resource Manager
2. How long have you been a member of BSHRM? I think about 8 years now.
3. Tell us about what you do at CTS? Lead and manage the human resource function; I have two wonderful recruiters; one that focuses on experienced hires and one that is responsible for our university relations program (we have an awesome campus program!); also there is training, employee benefits, employee relations, the USCIS program... I think it would be easier to say I’m a Generalist HR Manager!4. Complete the following sentence…“I know the day is going to be a struggle when my coffee isn’t just right; insanely huge mug, coffee (prefer Starbucks), 3 Splenda and a more than normal amount of Fat Free Original Coffee-Mate.”
5. What is your favorite part of your job? Getting out from behind the desk – talking with people, coming up with ideas, being in the midst of everything!
6. What is your favorite all time movie? Too many to choose from...John Hughes movies from the 80’s, Sense & Sensibility, Christmas Vacation – another John Hughes movie, Gone With The Wind, Walk the Line
7. Favorite event in the Olympics? Gymnastics!
8. What is your favorite type of music? I like all kinds of music. I grew up in a suburb of Nashville, so I like Old School Country, like Cash & Waylon; Pop music – Maroon 5 and Kelly Clarkson; Contemporary Christian too – I love Mercy Me, Chris Tomlin and Barlow Girl – it’s real and warms my heart.
9. You’ve just been granted a wish and can invite four people from any time period in history to dinner. Who would you invite and why? Hands down, Jesus, but I think I’d have to have a separate dinner for that. Other three? My Grandfather, because I should have asked more questions; Dr. Glenn Weekly, my former minister, because I was always in awe of his love for God and people; Sarah Palin, no specific reason other than she inspires me, wow; but, makes me feel just a little inadequate; my husband, Jason, because we don’t get to have dinner without our kids very often. That was five wasn’t it?
10. What is your favorite way to spend the weekend? Why? With my family, with friends, at home, traveling, at the lake; I really do like being around people; it makes me comfortable.
11. Complete this thought… “Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love were…” not really on my radar in the 90’s. I was more of a Red Hot Chili Peppers/Pearl Jam type of fan.
12. What’s your career goal in HR? I have several career goals. Right now though? My focus is on building an HR function that steers, supports and partners with our departments and employees. Although policy and compliance are very important to the HR function, I am a business partner to my VPs and Managers. They are my internal clients. As our company continues its growth strategy, I look forward to the opportunity to serve in a greater leadership role; not sure of the actual title, maybe VP of Heart & Soul? Also, I have my SPHR and when it makes sense for our business environment I’ll probably pursue the GPHR.
13. What is the last book you have read? Now, Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton
14. What do you do for fun away from CTS? Do you have hobbies? My husband and I love to be with our children. We like going to concerts, Alabama football games and snow skiing. Does Home Depot fall into this category?
15. Favorite non-work related web site to hit on a regular basis and why?…I spend way too much time at night on Facebook! It’s a big black hole that sucks you in with no chance of escape...don’t do it! I love James Spann’s weather blog too. My sister-in-law is a meteorologist at Fox 6, so I have become a weather junkie. www.imdb.com is a lot fun. I like watching old movies and looking up the actors or actresses to see what they are doing now.
16. Advice you would give to the newbies trying to break into HR? Do not let anything be beneath you. Do not get desensitized. Don’t overuse “it’s a business decision” – HR decisions affect people personally most of the time. Follow up with candidates every time regardless of your decision. Continue learning about the HR profession outside of work (get familiar with trends, reputable blogs), volunteer on a committee in BSHRM, join national SHRM, and establish a network of HR professionals. Birmingham can be a small town when it comes to finding the right HR role. Every position I’ve been hired for is due to my HR network.
17. Preference Time – Alabama or Auburn? Alabama - it’s my alma mater.
18. You can take two things with you when you are stranded on a desert island. What do you take and why? A bible and a lifetime supply of sunscreen.
19. Weirdest question you have ever been asked by a candidate who wanted you to hire them? Not really a question, but we had a candidate that we really wanted to hire and he was interested in us. He had just been accepted to the MBA program of an Ivy League school. He actually turned the table and gave us an offer stipulating that CTS would pay for his Ivy League graduate work and in turn he’d work for us upon graduation at a reduced salary. Pretty clever. He works for Microsoft in Redmond now. Great guy. We still keep in touch.
20. What else does BSHRM need to know about you? Well, let’s see...I thought I wanted to be a hospital administrator after graduating from UA with a BS in Health Care Management. I went to work for HealthSouth as a financial intern and then found my way into corporate human resources because of my degree and I had a minor in psychology. I worked in a lot of different roles at HealthSouth and I loved HR the most. I left the healthcare arena to work at large public accounting firm. This is where I really honed my face to face skills with employees. And now I lead the HR function for CTS, an IT professional services firm. I understand professional services; it’s about providing services that exceed your client’s expectations. I have the opportunity to do that every day with my employees.
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