Indeed, personality and values can—
and often do—trump prestigious quali-
fications at Vancity, says John Allen,
vice-president of people solutions. With
a focus on the triple bottom line and
creating health and wealth in
whole communities, Allen
says Vancity looks for
candidates who have
done their research on
the company's coopera-
tive model and are phil-
osophically aligned with
its mission and vision.
"Ten years ago Van-
city would have hired
the best-educated person; nowadays
it's a combination of education, experi-
ence and that values alignment," he says.
"There are times when we have people
that are top of their class from a school
who don't make the short list."
Even in a multinational corporation,
showing your colours is the best way to
get your foot in the door, says Brian
Rolfes, partner and global lead of
recruiting for McKinsey and Co.
"Be yourself and show us who
you are," he says. "We want you
to bring your talented, interest-
ing, authentic self to work and to
clients."
Idealism is also an asset as
more organizations adopt a
more global perspective on their
impact. "Solving a client problem isn't
enough anymore," adds Rolfes. "Peo-
ple want to solve communities' prob-
lems, social problems,
human problems."
But then, having the
hard skills to help reach
that end is a definite
advantage, points out
Barbara Grantham,
president and
CEO of
the
VGH and UBC Hospital Foundation.
"Niche areas of specialization can
bring more value to an organization and
the public good," she says. With non-
profits exploding in Canada—the sector
accounts for more than seven per cent
of the country's
GDP, according to Statis-
tics Canada, a contribution that nearly
doubled between 1997 and 2007—people
with sophisticated knowledge of finance
and funding systems, partnerships,
mergers and human resources are in
high demand. "We need that specialized
lens," she says.
No matter which direction students
think that they may be headed, all
would do well to keep in mind that in
the end, a business education is just
the beginning.
■
creating health and wealth in
get your foot in the door, says Brian
Rolfes, partner and global lead of
recruiting for McKinsey and Co.
"Be yourself and show us who
you are," he says. "We want you
to bring your talented, interest
ing, authentic self to work and to
clients."
more organizations adopt a
lems, social problems,
human problems."
hard skills to help reach
that end is a definite
advantage, points out
Barbara Grantham,
"Ten years ago Vancity would have hired the best-
educated person; nowadays it's a combination of educa-
tion, experience and that values alignment. There are
times when we have people that are top of their class from a
school who don't make the short list"
—John Allen, Vancity
B r i a n r o L f e s
B a r B a r a G r a n t h a m
