How the pandemic transformed recruiting practices and enabled virtual hiring processes that expanded access to job opportunities across geographic boundaries, making recruitment more inclusive and efficient.
Her Story
About Adriana
I am a human resources and recruitment professional with over two decades of experience in insurance, benefits, and talent acquisition, currently serving as a Recruitment Specialist at the State of Illinois, a role I have held since June 2023, where I lead recruitment efforts and support talent acquisition for state government positions. I have also served as a Human Resources Recruiter at the State of Illinois since August 2022, where I have contributed to building a strong workforce to serve the citizens of Illinois.
Prior to these roles, I served as Employee Benefits Specialist for six months and as Insurance Analyst III for over a year at the State of Illinois, where I developed deep expertise in benefits administration and insurance analysis. Before joining the State, I served as Client Specialist at COGENCY GLOBAL INC. for nearly two years, and as Colleague Service Representative at Hospital Sisters Health System for over five years, where I supported healthcare colleagues and clients.
Earlier in my career, I spent over thirteen years as an Insurance Underwriter at the Illinois Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan, where I developed foundational expertise in insurance underwriting and health insurance.
Across my career in human resources, recruitment, insurance, and benefits, my work has been driven by a commitment to serving others, building strong teams, and supporting individuals and organizations in achieving their goals. Whether I am recruiting top talent for state government, managing employee benefits, or underwriting insurance policies, I bring a client-centered approach, strong analytical skills, and a dedication to excellence that has defined my career. I am proud of the work I have done throughout my career and excited to continue serving the State of Illinois and its employees.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Adriana
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute success to being resilient and getting back up. Never give up. Be kind to others always. Try to be someone that is a mentor and helps other people achieve their goals. I want to be the kind of leader that helps others get their dream job.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Get there first. Stay last. Dress for the job you want to have. And always be helpful to others around you.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be present. Be attentive and use your listening skills. Always make sure your recruiting table is professional and neat. If your table looks chaotic, your agency looks that way. Also put the phone away and pay attention to the people that are there to see you. Help them to see how great your agency is to work at.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The opportunities are endless right now. I teach classes on how to apply, interview and understand the process. I will help anyone that needs it. It is a process though; you have to be persistent but if you are, you can do it, I will show you how to get there.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Honesty, Being Timely, Empathy, Compassion and in my personal life being present. I always want my husband, children and grandchildren to know that they can count on me.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Adriana
Recruiting in the Post-COVID Era
How Virtual Recruitment Transformed Hiring and Expanded Access for Job Seekers Everywhere
The world changed in 2020.
Almost overnight, businesses closed their doors, offices emptied, and hiring processes that had existed for decades were forced to adapt. The way people work today is dramatically different from the way they worked in 2019, and recruiting has evolved right alongside it.
Many employers are still feeling the effects of the workforce disruption that began during the pandemic. Millions of people left the workforce, changed careers, retired early, or reassessed what they wanted from their professional lives. As a result, organizations continue to face significant staffing challenges.
From a recruiting standpoint, the pandemic forced me to rethink how I connected with candidates. I realized that if another shutdown or major disruption occurred, I needed a way to continue helping job seekers and employers without relying on in-person interactions. I needed a recruiting model that could operate entirely from my desktop.
To prepare, I invested in learning virtual communication platforms such as Webex and developed an online program to guide candidates through the hiring process. What began as a response to a crisis became an opportunity to expand my reach and improve access to information.
Today, I teach ten live classes each month through Webex. These sessions are open to anyone, anywhere, allowing participants to join from the comfort of their homes. Because the classes are taught live, attendees can ask questions in real time and receive immediate guidance.
The classes cover topics such as creating an effective applicant profile, preparing for interviews, understanding job bulletins, and learning about the services and opportunities offered by my agency. My goal is to remove barriers that often prevent qualified candidates from successfully navigating the hiring process.
One of the most rewarding outcomes of this virtual approach has been its impact on diversity and inclusion. Geographic location is no longer a limitation. I can connect with job seekers from different communities, backgrounds, and experiences, helping them access opportunities they may not have otherwise discovered.
The post-COVID era has taught recruiters an important lesson: adaptability is essential. Technology has transformed the way we recruit, educate, and support candidates. While the pandemic created unprecedented challenges, it also accelerated innovations that have made recruiting more accessible, efficient, and inclusive than ever before.
The future of recruiting is not limited by location. It is defined by connection, accessibility, and the ability to meet candidates where they are.
The number of applications we receive per hiring requisition has tripled, and I have helped many people succeed in the process.
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