Wanda McNamee, Sourcing Specialist, Herndon Products
Several speakers at GO! Network seminars have discussed ways to make a positive, lasting impression on prospective employers, and Wanda McNamee’s success story illustrates why this is important. While working for her previous employer, the favorable impression she made on one of its competitors eventually led to a job offer.
As a program manager for Wesco Aircraft, Wanda provided customer support and earned a reputation as a dedicated, conscientious and productive worker. Her team implemented a new just-in-time program to provide fasteners to Boeing, their client, and set national records for sourcing the parts on time. One of the companies from which Wanda sometimes purchased parts was Herndon Products, and members of Herndon’s staff came to know, like and respect her. When they learned that Wanda had resigned from Wesco just before Thanksgiving in 2008, they sought her out and invited her to join their team. Wanda accepted and began her new job as a sourcing specialist for Herndon in March 2009. She has found it to be a good fit for her. Her new role is similar to her previous one, but includes some additional duties that she enjoys. She thrives in the company’s positive atmosphere, and her co-workers value her and appreciate her efforts.
During the interlude between the two positions, Wanda became a member of the GO! Network and found it both beneficial and inspirational. At GO! Network seminars, she learned such networking skills as remembering something special about each person she meets and using that information to follow up with him or her. The speakers encouraged her to believe in herself, remain positive, determine what she wanted to do in the next phase of her career, and go for it.
“The only downside to going back to work,” said Wanda, “is that I miss the GO! meetings.”
Wanda suggests that job seekers be open to all possibilities and avoid getting stuck on a certain path. She also advises, “Call everyone you know and tell them you’re looking for a new job. You never know who might be able to help you find your next opportunity.”