At Morgan Hunter, we’re lucky to have so many tenured recruiters. As our employees celebrate their Morgan Hunter anniversaries, we thought you’d like to get to know them a little better! Today Dan Hilboldt, Senior Recruiter in our Sales, Marketing & Advertising Division, is celebrating 6 years with Morgan Hunter.
When and how did you start working at Morgan Hunter?
After about 8 years in insurance sales, I was looking for a career change and my friend Casey Wright (a director in the Accounting & Finance Division at Morgan Hunter) recommended I consider the recruiting industry.
What has kept you around for 6 years?
I really like the company culture at Morgan Hunter. I love all the people I work with. I also really enjoy interacting with and learning about different people on a daily basis through my interactions with employers and candidates.
How would you describe the culture at Morgan Hunter?
We’re a pretty tight-knit group that really enjoys working together. We spend a lot of time together outside of work.
Favorite sports team?
Royals, K-State everything, Sporting KC, Chiefs — basically every Kansas City sports team plus K-State.
Favorite movie?
That just depends on my mood! “Major League” is definitely in my top five. Also, “The Departed,” “Hoosiers,” “Step Brothers,” “Airplane,” “Caddyshack” and “Fletch,” just to name a few. I have a lot of favorites!
Favorite TV show?
“The Walking Dead,” “Game Of Thrones,” and anything sports related.
Favorite book?
To Kill a Mockingbird
Favorite food?
Chicken wings from The Peanut!
Best place to eat in Kansas City?
I’m a big fan of just about any BBQ restaurant in town.
Favorite thing to do outside of work?
Spend time with family and friends.
What’s something most people don’t know about you?
I have been the T-Bones mascot, Sizzle, without ever going to a T-Bones game, and I’ve written jokes for Kirstie Alley.
My friend worked for the T-Bones and the regular mascot, who was also the mascot for Sporting KC at the time, was on the road with Sporting KC. They needed someone to sub for the regular mascot to do some Wal-Mart store openings one afternoon, and she asked if I could help. So I got to dress up as Sizzle and open a few Wal-Marts!
Another time, Kirstie Alley was in town for a Chamber of Commerce event, and a friend of mine was helping facilitate the event. Kirstie needed some jokes about local sports teams, so my friend called and asked if I could help. Being a K-State fan, I came up with a few funny things to say about KU. One was “KU’s changed football coaches more times than I’ve changed dress sizes,” and the other one was “The last time KU won a football game, I was still on ‘Cheers.’”
What advice would you give your candidates?
I always tell my candidates to be themselves. When you’re somebody you’re not, you’re going to find yourself in situations that aren’t always going to be beneficial, so there’s no sense in trying to be someone somebody else wants you to be. Just go in and be yourself and, at the end of the day, if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.
I also tell them to have fun with the interview process because, while it can be stressful, it’s something that’s new and exciting and could potentially lead to something that’s very rewarding. It’s also important to be patient with your decision making — you want to be running to the next opportunity, not running from your present one.
Can you give employers and candidates any insight into the 2017 employment market?
It will be important for employers to stick with the process in 2017. Employers need to ensure the interview process is moving quickly because, in this candidate-driven market, high-level candidates are landing jobs fast, so they need to a have a catch-them-while-you-can mentality.
Candidates need to keep an open mind and be willing to explore opportunities they may not have considered before. You may not recognize an opportunity for all its worth unless you’re willing to think outside the box.