Fulfilling Demand

Networking Event helps Local Businesses find the Right Talent

Earlier this year, WorkSource Spokane held a unique hiring event called Take it to the Bank . Seven local banks, credit unions, and insurance agencies with open positions participated in the event at WorkSource for the chance to network with 19 qualified candidates interested in working in the Finance and Insurance sector. Take it to the Bank was organized as a speed networking event, much like speed dating, where participating businesses had the opportunity to interview candidates in eight-minute speed interviews. In total, 133 separate interviews were conducted.
“Great candidate pool,” shared Jennifer Little from Numerica Credit Union. “There were six job seekers I met with that I would hire tomorrow. I gave them all my personal business card.” Multiple recruiters mentioned that they had specific candidates in mind for positions they were looking to fill. Kendra Rosman from Travelers Insurance said of the event, “This was way more productive for me in recruiting than anything I could have done in my office.”

For one candidate the hiring event was especially successful. Michelle Bull lost her job the week before the event. She decided to visit WorkSource on the following Monday, where she was told about Take it to the Bank . At the hiring event, Michelle received three separate job offers, and said, “[attending] this was the best decision I could make!”

Progressive Business Focus

New Credential for Credit Analysts

levels associated with extending credit or lending money. In Spokane County, new Credit Analyst jobs have been added at an average annual rate of 2.7% over the last five years. The career pays an average annual wage of $84,000 locally. Although the Spokane area has numerous colleges and universities that provide strong educations in Accounting and Finance, specific workforce credentialing for Credit Analysis proficiency can be hard to find.

Numerous banks with a presence in the Pacific Northwest recognize RMA as a credible source of certification, including Washington Trust, Umpqua Bank, Banner Bank, Key Bank, and U.S. Bank. Sartell encourages job seekers who are interested in careers in credit analysis to consider pursuing a certification through RMA. “If I am looking to hire a credit analyst and have a stack of résumés, and see an applicant with no direct analyst experience but has the RMA Credit Essentials Certificate, that person is likely going to the top of my list,” she says. “RMA’s certificates are evidence that there is a basic, or in some cases advanced, level of knowledge about analyzing commercial customers.”

In the coming weeks, the SAWDC will begin releasing Requests for Proposal to identify training vendors that can offer industry-recognized credentials, like the credential described above, for cohorts of WorkSource customers. These classes will be designed to meet the hiring needs of businesses in a variety of industries and occupations, and will focus on filling immediate or acute labor gaps.

about the RMA and how Credit Analyst certifications can validate the skills of the finance and insurance workforce, please contact Stephanie Sartell.

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