Sarah Blakely: On Creating Her Own Path at TriNet
“I am thrilled to announce I hit my five-year anniversary at the best company ever! TriNet started as just a sales job to make some good money, and has turned into the most wonderful career I could have ever dreamed of. I’ve grown professionally, built amazing relationships, and have the best recruiting family ever! I love what I do every day and am looking forward to another five years.” — TriNet Recruiter, Sarah Blakely
When Sarah Blakely joined TriNet 5 years ago, she had been looking for a job for well over a year. A mutual friend referred her to a career in sales, something she had never considered. “There’s no one-size-fits-all,” she says, reflecting on her trajectory. “There are all manner of paths, and there’s no way to know where any one thing will lead.”
She remembers participating in sales initiatives as a child, but her early interest in people was always in the back of her mind. She graduated with a Business Degree from the University of Florida, looking to launch a career in sales.
In her first job as a regional sales consultant for GNC, Sarah gained exposure to a broad range of businesses. But after a couple of years there, her perspective began to shift.
She remembers, “When I started my first job out of college, I thought, what if I’m only going to do this for the rest of my life.”
It was a tough transition, she says, realizing that might not be the case and following her interests beyond sales. She spent the next two years working in recruiting industry, where she discovered a love for the medical field.
“I would just encounter so many fascinating people,” she recalls, “especially in the medical field. But for me it was really valuable as a place for self-reflection and it served as an inflection point to help define my career.”
She was also drawn to the culture of the industry, which seemed to combine her passion for working with people with her love of helping them solve day-to-day problems.
“I felt like I could be the most authentic version of myself. I began searching for a company that would support me in achieving this vision.”
Her career explorations led her to an chance meeting with a sales representative from TriNet. It was her first exposure combining her passions. She found the qualities about TriNet refreshing and wanted to learn more about a career with the company.
“How do you know when you are being a gift and not just another job? It was really exciting and really motivating for me, knowing that this new career at TriNet could make a difference in thousands of lives.”
After spending a few years in sales, Sarah received unexpected news that her mother passed away suddenly. She was devastated. “My mother was my rock, I talked to her almost daily. Losing her meant I lost a best friend and some of the passion for my own life.” One of the things that helped her get through this tough time was the outpouring from her co-workers, who were now more like her family. “I would receive an unpected text or a coffee on my desk for me in the morning. My TriNet team’s small tokens would give me hope each day.”
It was at this time, she began exploring the idea of getting back to one her other joys, helping people in their career. “When I was approached by the recruiting team in April 2013, I thought this wasn’t the time for me to make a switch. But, with the support and encouragement from my amazing boss, I realized that this position could fulfill a void I had of connecting people.” I was ready to make take a leap.
“Joining the recruiting team felt like I was taking a journey back home. I know I would miss my sales team, but the thought of sharing the impact of working at TriNet with another candidate brought a zest back into my life.”
Fast forward three years and Sarah is now the VP of Recruiting. She is fueled by her team of stunning colleauges, who everyday inspire each other to transform the recruiting industry.
When Sarah isn’t busy working, she’s an avid wine connoisseur. Her frequent trips to Napa have inspired her to explore in her journey to become a certified sommelier. Her favorite wine is vintage cabernet. She said tasting wine reminds her of her career, “It gives an essence of many layers, but the finish is who I was ultimately meant to become.”
