Her Story
About Shavondia
Shavondia Smith serves as Senior Recruiter for Kelly Services Staffing Agency in its Houston office, a position she has held for three years. She has spent five years in staffing after a decade managing retail stores, salons, and hotels. A 2012 high school graduate without college education, Smith developed her expertise through extensive reading on business, economics, and finance combined with practical experience. Her most notable achievement is maintaining an 8% turnover rate for clients by skillfully matching candidates to roles aligned with their long-term goals. She credits her success to the relationships built with candidates and clients throughout Houston and surrounding areas, which have generated referrals including from KIPP Public Schools. A member of Lakewood Church, Smith prioritizes loyalty, honesty, and integrity in her professional conduct. She emphasizes that years of experience surpass formal degrees or certifications and recommends that professionals entering the field remain adaptable to its constant evolution.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Shavondia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my candidates and the relationships I've built with people from all over Houston and surrounding areas. Having those relationships and talking to people every day has led to referrals and connections with large clients like KIPP Public Schools. People skills and maintaining contact are key.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Years of experience over everything. Someone with a lot of years in a specific industry will trump over anybody's college degree or certification any day.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Be open and willing to embrace ongoing change. The industry is always changing and growing, and if you can't roll with the changes, then you're just not gonna make it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Time management is the biggest challenge, especially after traveling and handling multiple client and candidate requests promptly while providing personalized service.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
As a person of Christian faith, loyalty, honesty, and integrity are most important. I like to be very truthful and honest without sugarcoating anything.
Join Influential Women and start making an impact. Register now.