After moving across the country from Las Vegas, Amaia Arruabarrena joined ezCater. Starting in Customer Service, Amaia learned the ins and outs of ezCater before transitioning to our Talent Team where she now organizes ezCater’s interviews and volunteering projects. Along the way, Amaia received our Rosanna Rockstar Award, an award given to employees who are passionate about their personal or professional development, and who are doing an awesome job or are passionate about the quality of their work. Here’s what our team had to say about Amaia:
“Amaia is passionate about her personal and professional growth. She was a rising star as a Ninja, becoming one of the most trusted and knowledgeable members of the team. Now she has expanded her horizons, moving into a new role as Talent Branding & Recruiting Coordinator.”
“Amaia has gone above and beyond the call of duty, spearheading multiple food drives, and organizing charitable events for the company. Amaia also runs her own business repurposing and selling furniture, AND is going to school for Biology, Psychology, and Kinesiology.”
We caught up with Amaia about what it’s like working at ezCater and living in Boston.
What drew you to working at ezCater?
I moved to Boston from Las Vegas and was looking for the “right” job, one with a supportive environment where I could grow when I found a job posting for an ezCater “Ninja”. I was immediately intrigued. Everything I read about ezCater and everyone I spoke to during the interview process reinforced this was a place I wanted to work.
I really enjoyed my time as a Customer Service Ninja. When the Talent Branding & Recruiting Coordinator position opened, I was ready to expand my skill set and take on a new challenge. I felt the role would give me an opportunity to learn and grow within the company while still involving the things I loved about being a Ninja – helping and making things run smoothly.
On the Talent Team our “customers” are our Candidates and Hiring Managers, so coming from the background of helping people and ensuring the process goes smoothly has been a huge help in the transition.
What does your typical workday with the Talent Team look like?
My day begins with our team’s Spotlight meeting where we go over what we are working on and big events for the day. I then coordinate candidates for interviews, schedule meetings for hiring teams to prep for candidates, organize company events I’m involved in, and attend meetings associated with our hiring process. I also greet and wrap up with candidates who come in for onsite interviews as needed.
What is most exciting about working at ezCater?
I love that I interact with all of our departments, as well as learn about them and their needs. It’s very exciting to be a part of our growth and see first hand how we’re expanding.
What have you learned so far?
- Data is our friend.
Our team uses data from GreenHouse to see how efficient we are in the recruitment process. By reporting on how long candidates are in each state of the recruitment process we make sure we’re not keeping anyone waiting.
- Share your ideas, they matter and you never know the impact they might have.
When I first started working at ezCater, I asked if we had a volunteering program for employees. We did not. I shared my idea to develop one with my management team, and then the CFO who gave me the go ahead.
This has been incredibly empowering because my idea was heard. I was given the autonomy to develop it and make it happen. Now I have seen the impact we can have on the community and have received positive feedback from our employees.
- Never underestimate the power of efficient communication.
A lot of my job involves communicating between different teams and multiple members of those teams. Leveraging technology has cut down on the time I spend relaying info and ensures everyone is on the same page.
- Being insanely helpful really makes a difference.
I find that putting myself in the position of the person I’m helping – whether it’s my teammate, a hiring manager, or a candidate – by anticipating their needs and not creating more work for them, makes for a better relationship and experience for everyone involved. It cultivates a level of trust that greatly benefits our work.
What advice do you have for those who are looking for a position on a Talent Team?
- Be organized
- Do your best to anticipate the needs of those you’re working with
- Always be insanely helpful
What do you like about working in Downtown Crossing?
Everything! I take the Red Line into work every day and it’s such a convenient location. It’s great to be surrounded by a ton of restaurants and shops which make grabbing lunch or running a quick errand easy. I also love how close we are to Boston Common so I can easily take a walk or sit and relax outside.
What are some of your favorite things about being in the Boston area?
Boston is an outdoorsy city. Anywhere you go you’ll find someone jogging, biking, or kayaking on the river – and there are dogs everywhere. I love to walk around. There’s so much beauty to be seen, from the architecture to historical buildings, parks, and the views from the bridges across the Charles River.
My favorite thing though is visiting the local farms. This is something I never really experienced when growing up in Vegas and I try to go as often as possible, especially during the fall…fresh apple cider donuts, wow.
Interested in working at ezCater with Amaia? Check out our job postings.
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