Healthcare talent solutions in Houston: Cory Johnson
Addison Group is a nationally recognized talent solutions firm focused on providing exceptional service to clients and candidates. Our passion is providing the right talent to advance your company’s performance and create a best-in-class experience for your workforce. In our latest employee spotlight, we’re excited to highlight Cory Johnson, Sales Manager, National HIM for our Healthcare talent solutions practice in Houston.
We spoke with Cory to learn his advice for candidates and clients as well as insights from his career journey.
1. What drew you to the staffing industry?
I was initially interested in the staffing industry for the opportunity to help others find fulfilling and long-lasting careers. Job hunting can be draining, time consuming, and even become a full-time job itself. I found it exciting to talk to someone and understand their challenges and struggles and place them somewhere they were excited to work. Recruiting gave me the opportunity to advocate for job seekers, utilize my understanding of the market and client needs, and to create matches benefiting both the employee and company.
2. What sets Addison Group’s Healthcare talent solutions apart from other organizations?
What separates us apart from other organizations is our consultative approach, specialized expertise, and deep industry insight. We really do take the time to invest time with our clients to understand their needs, challenges, and dynamics before ever proposing a tailored solution. We pride ourselves on creating meaningful relationships and stray away from a transactional approach. The way our division is structured is that we specialize in niches. This allows our teams to become very experienced and knowledgeable in our respective fields. Constantly immersing ourselves in the industry ensures we stay up to date with evolving trends and changes, enabling us to deliver exceptional services.
We stay immersed in the industry through learning updates from our clients, candidates, and our technical teams. For example, we stay current on annual medical coding changes to ensure we can find candidates that have the correct qualifications for a client. Sometimes, we even try to get some of our clients to speak with us on a topic where our team can just ask questions and learn more about the industry.
3. What is one thing you want your clients and candidates to know about Addison’s culture?
Addison is an organization that believes in putting people first. We prioritize building genuine relationships with others that lead to long-lasting partnerships. Our teams aim to create a positive impact on the lives of both our candidates and clients through trust, transparency, and honesty. We view our relationships not as mere transactions, but as opportunities to create experiences with a long-lasting impact by being consultative. We truly get to know our clients and candidates on a personal level through friendly, helpful conversations.
4. What are you most proud of during your journey with Addison Group?
Reflecting on my tenure with Addison Group, I take immense pride in the journey itself. Over the past decade, I’ve been fortunate to encounter numerous enriching opportunities, collaborating with individuals nationwide, and learning valuable lessons along the way. As a recruiter, I’ve cherished the privilege of serving as a trusted advocate and advisor for countless individuals embarking on new career paths. Transitioning to an Account Manager role, I’ve navigated challenges, employed problem-solving skills, and facilitated growth and advancement for organizations. As a Business Development Manager, I’ve fostered many new connections and witnessed relationships flourish from the very start. Additionally, I’ve had the privilege of sharing my insights through training sessions, workshops, peer exchanges, and have participated in many conferences throughout the nation. Now, as a manager leading a remarkable team, I can celebrate their successes and witness their growth as well.
5. What is the biggest career lesson you’ve learned so far?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to never stop learning. No matter how long you have been in a career, company, or industry, the world around us is constantly evolving. What you knew yesterday may not be the same for today. Always continue to seek out opportunities for growth and regularly expand your knowledge.
6. What advice would you give someone looking for their next opportunity?
When looking for a new opportunity, my advice would be to keep an open mind. Start with a clear understanding of what you’re looking for in your next career move, but don’t close off the possibility of learning something new. Embrace the potential for growth and ask meaningful questions to ensure it aligns with your personal and professional goals. Consider working with a trusted recruiter who will advocate for you and your best interests. Recruiters advocate for you by getting your resume seen by a client and help you through the salary negotiation process.
7. What advice would you give to companies who are unsure about hiring in this market?
For companies unsure about hiring in this market, know that you have options! When we think of the traditional hire, most people think of a permanent, full-time employee. However, there are other options. Hiring needs can fluctuate and are constantly being re-evaluated. For certain situations, hiring a candidate on contract, part time, or having one on standby can have its benefits. Contract employees allow you to have a trial period with a candidate to ensure their experience aligns with the job and that they work well with your team. If you identify that this contract position needs to be a permanent role, you can convert them over to full time. Ultimately, know that you can adapt your hire to fit your needs and there is never a bad time to explore your options.
8. Anything else you’d like to say, advice to give, etc.?
Surround yourself with exceptional leaders who inspire you to grow. Throughout my time with Addison, I’ve been fortunate to learn from outstanding mentors including my Manager, Vertical President, and many others. Their guidance has taught me so many valuable lessons. How to be a good leader, invest in others, how to keep my team excited and motivated to help candidates and clients, and more. These lessons helped me achieve feats I never thought possible. I now aim to become the kind of leader who motivates and inspires others as well.
Cory Johnson was born and raised in Houston, TX. He attended Sam Houston State University where he pursued Broadcast Journalism and earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Public Relations. In 2014, Cory embarked on his professional journey with Addison Group as a Recruiter. Over the years, he transitioned through various roles including recruiting, account management, and business development. His commitment to mentorship and fostering growth led him to his current role as Sales Manager of a National Healthcare Talent Solutions team. With nearly a decade of experience, Cory enjoys collaborating with clients and candidates nationwide, while also witnessing the successes and growth of his teammates.
Our Healthcare Talent Solutions practice provides tailored support with contract, contract-to-hire, permanent placements, and executive workforce solutions. Cory can find you top talent for your Healthcare organization.