5 Questions for Daniela Barry, Senior Recruitment Associate on the Search Team

Tell us something interesting about you that’s not on your resume.

I love to paint. It was something I picked up during Covid but fell in love with. I normally put on a podcast, music, movie or current tv show and just paint for hours – I find it to be a really good way to decompress.  

You bring a strong background in recruitment to the Search team. What have you learned so far about what makes a great finance or accounting hire for leadership roles?

For leadership roles it goes beyond technical ability. People can be very technically strong, but are they a people leader? Do they have the personality and motivation to want to see people succeed, to coach/mentor, and do they have the ability to communicate with different personalities? These are some of the things that I look for. 

You’re very familiar with the hiring landscape within finance and accounting. What does a successful placement mean to you in these functions, beyond just filling a role? 

For me, a successful placement means I’ve contributed to someone’s life for the better. I’ve successfully matched them with an opportunity where they have the ability to grow, they feel respected, and organization is the proper fit for their lifestyle. The same goes for the client side as well. The client feels like we’ve matched a candidate who is going to be able to contribute to the overall success of their business.  

During the hiring process, the candidate experience is one of our biggest priorities. How do you build trust with candidates and ensure they feel supported throughout the search? 

I think creating trust with candidates comes from a few different aspects – activate listening, finding things to relate with them on (i.e. vacations, family, job situations, etc.) to show that you’re human too!  Constant communication is also important, like following up every couple of days and ensuring candidates receive feedback so they have areas to improve on for next time. 

We’re always looking for recommendations – what are you currently reading/watching/listening to? (Netflix, podcasts, books etc.).

Lots on the go right now!  

Reading: The “Let Them” Theory by Mel Robbins but this year I’ve also read “Little Red Book of Selling” by Jeffrey Gitomer, “Beat the Bank: The Canadian Guide to Simply Successful Investing” by Larry Bates, “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones” by James Clear 

Shows: Parks & Rec, Billions, Yellowstone, 1883, 1923 

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