The Career Engineering series features the expert advice of Amy Rueda, a 25-year veteran of executive search, who has placed CEOs and C-suite executives across multiple industries and functional areas. Her passion for leading diversity initiatives that focus on change management and employee engagement is reflected in her portfolio of accomplishments. Amy studied political science and was born and raised in Los Angeles.
Articles
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Career Anxiety and How Parents Can Help
As a 25-year veteran executive recruiter, I had the opportunity this summer to teach a career management course to UCLA recent graduates. It opened my eyes to some startling trends. A phenomenon that surprised me was the rise of "snowplow parenting." This is defined as a parenting style that seeks to remove obstacles from a…
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Gen Z in the Workforce Part III
Part III: Shaping the Future Generation Z has emerged as a formidable force for positive change across various facets of society. They are having a transformative impact on the economy, artificial intelligence (AI), sustainability and social justice. As this generation enters the professional sphere, they bring with them a unique set of values, skills and…
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Gen Z in the Workforce Part II
Part II: A Mental Health Discovery If you work with them, you may have noticed that the newest generation entering today’s workforce has some unique characteristics. In our last article about Gen Z in the Workforce, we discussed the business philosophies predominant among 22- to 26-year-olds, citing their application of cancel culture, preference for remote…
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Gen Z in the Workforce Part I
Part I: Understanding Gen Z Philosophies Last summer, I had the privilege to teach a career management course for the Class of 2023, called The Classroom. The Classroom is a six-week program to help our most recent grads from UCLA transition from the classroom to the workforce. The sessions addressed the benefits of: As any…
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Interview Strategies for Success
Landing a job, particularly your first, is nothing short of intimidating. The most challenging part of the process is the pressure to execute a stellar interview. This undertaking is not limited to those entering the workforce for the first time; it applies to everyone at all levels. Let's face it, interviewing is nerve-racking, especially when…
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What to Know About Recruiters
Being contacted by a recruiter is one of the best feelings you can experience, personally and professionally. The experience of being acknowledged as a possible candidate often comes with feelings of accomplishment, recognition and pride. But are all calls from recruiters the same? Not necessarily. What varies are the types of recruiters that reach out…
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What Steps to Take to Land Your Next Job
It's that time of year again when we revisit resolutions we've made for 2023. For those who have stuck with their goals, congratulations! Unfortunately, some of us didn't and feel guilty about breaking our promise. But the good news is that it's never too late to restart. For example, if one of your resolutions was…
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Where to Work
After two and a half years into this pandemic, the workforce is redefining what constitutes the optimal workplace. For individuals seeking a greater work-life balance, the flexibility to work from home offers several health, financial and productivity benefits. For others, returning to the office offers distinct advantages in relationship-building and access to key resources. As…
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Why References Matter
When a company begins to evaluate a final candidate for a position, they often do a thorough background check prior to extending an offer. Unfortunately, some candidates overstate their experience and don't realize they are putting their candidacy and reputation at risk. This is why references matter. Because they help validate the candidate’s achievements. But…
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When a Job Search Feels Wrong
It was hard not to get excited when a recruiter called with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. She was looking for a corporate leader to oversee talent management for a global pharmaceutical company. The job description had my name written all over it. My experience and credentials aligned perfectly with the role's requirements. And the best part…
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Selling Yourself
Congratulations! You've applied for your dream job and made it to the interview stage of the process. However, preparing for the job interview can be stressful and dominate your attention when thinking through every possible scenario that could come up during your face-to-face interaction with the executive recruiter or hiring manager. The key is to…
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Who Gets Hired and Why?
The ideal executive candidate is the sum of multiple variables. Yes, we expect the résumé to shine and the interview to be stellar, but what is the DNA of the ideal candidate? Integrity is in the genetic code of an honest, sincere and principled leader. It is an ever-present code of conduct that is noble…
Email your career questions to connectfeedback@alumni.ucla.edu and Amy will try and answer them in next month’s issue of Career Engineering.
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