Julia Wilkins
Julia Wilkins is an accomplished Senior Technical Recruiter at Meta with over eight years of experience connecting exceptional talent with transformative organizations across industries including technology, education, autonomous vehicles, and social media. Known by colleagues as “Jewels,” she brings a thoughtful and people-centered approach to every search—combining strategic sourcing expertise with a genuine passion for candidate experience. Julia has successfully recruited for both technical and non-technical roles, excelling in building strong partnerships with hiring managers to align recruitment strategies with broader organizational goals. Her technical toolkit includes proficiency with JobVite, Lever, Greenhouse, and proprietary ATS platforms, along with sourcing tools like Gem, SeekOut, and LinkedIn Recruiter.
Prior to Meta, Julia made a significant impact at companies such as Infinite Athlete, Apple, Aurora, and Yelp, where she managed full-cycle recruiting processes across multiple geographies. She has led recruitment initiatives that improved candidate placement efficiency, elevated DEI efforts, and achieved exceptional offer acceptance rates—often exceeding 90%. At Aurora, she co-led the Employee Resource Group Black @ Aurora, advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives that strengthened organizational culture and representation. Julia’s work consistently reflects her belief that recruiting is both an art and a science—requiring empathy, strategy, and a commitment to equity.
Currently pursuing her Master of Science in Human Resources Management at the University of Southern California, Julia continues to invest in her professional development as she prepares for her SPHR certification. Her long-term goal is to advance into an executive leadership role in HR or talent strategy, where she can influence organizational design and empower underrepresented voices in tech. Outside of work, Julia is an avid hiker, reader, and animal welfare advocate who brings the same compassion and curiosity to her personal pursuits as she does to her career.
• Tech Recruiting Foundations: 3 Recruiting Software Developers
• Diversity Recruiting
• Diversity and Inclusion in a Global Enterprise
• Inclusive Mindset
• Niche Recruiting
• Performance-Based Hiring
• Technical Recruiting
• Understanding Your Compensation and Benefits
• Communicating with Confidence
• Interviewing a Job Candidate for Recruiters
• Recruiting Talent with Social Media
• Talent Sourcing
• Associate Professional in Human Resources (aPHR)
• Entelo Basics Certified
• Learn with Workday
• University of California, Davis - BA
• GoodData Family Award
• Regional Board Member of the Year 2017
• National Alumna of the Year 2016
• National Association of Professional Women
• Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated
• Alpha Gamma Sigma Honor Society
• Associated Student Government
• Santa Clara Animal Control
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my mother’s example, my West Indian upbringing, and my determination to prove doubters wrong. Growing up in Chicago, I learned resilience, perseverance, and the importance of hard work. My culture and experiences taught me to challenge assumptions, create opportunities, and uplift others along the way. I make it a point to surround myself with “doers” — people who inspire action and growth — and I refuse to let self-doubt or circumstance define me.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is, “You don’t need to know everything, but you do need to keep learning.” This wisdom taught me the value of humility and continuous growth. It’s guided me to stay curious, adapt quickly, and evolve into a data-driven recruiter who balances empathy with performance.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is simple: don’t be afraid to take up space. Stay curious, and make it a priority to understand how the business works—not just your role. Recruiting and HR are far more than administrative functions; they’re strategic drivers of organizational success. I encourage women, especially women of color, to recognize the influence they hold in shaping teams, culture, and outcomes—and to use that influence thoughtfully and confidently.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in the recruiting field today is the oversaturation of the market, which often leads to a lack of recognition for recruiting as a true strategic function. Economic instability and frequent layoffs, especially in the tech sector, have also made it more difficult to navigate the shifting talent landscape. At the same time, there are tremendous opportunities for transformation. The rise of AI and data analytics allows us to build smarter, more efficient hiring pipelines. We’re also seeing a shift from transactional recruiting toward strategic talent planning—focusing on long-term growth rather than just filling roles. Most importantly, there’s a growing emphasis on creating inclusive and equitable hiring structures that ensure every candidate has a fair opportunity to succeed.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and personal life are strategic thinking, transparency, compassionate accountability, continuous learning, and uplifting women of color in tech. I believe in approaching every challenge with intention and clarity, leading with honesty and empathy, and holding myself and others accountable in ways that inspire growth rather than fear. I’m committed to lifelong learning and using my platform to open doors, create opportunities, and amplify the voices of women of color in the technology space.
Locations
Meta
Ashland, CA 94578