Not everyone places “making an impact” at the top of their list when looking for their next role. However, Grace Fidalgo, a sourcing recruiter with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, was looking for exactly that when it was her time to make a change.
“My journey to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts began with a strong desire to make a meaningful impact on public service,” she says. “I wanted to contribute to the community in a substantial way.”
That passion for public service has long colored Fidalgo’s career. As a recruiter, she’s always been focused on leveraging her skills to support job seekers and organizations to strengthen the community and foster a positive workplace culture. With the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, she found another chance to do just that. “Overall, the alignment of my skills and values with the mission and vision of the Commonwealth made it clear that this was the right move for me,” Fidalgo says.
After starting her new position about a year ago, Fidalgo has hit the ground running and embraced the culture of her new organization. Here, she talks about being a woman in leadership, why she values continuous learning, and what she looks for when filling an open position.
Tell us about your career journey. What inspired you to pursue a career in recruiting?
Like many recruiters, we tend to fall into recruiting by chance—I’ve yet to meet a child who says, “When I grow up, I want to be a recruiter!” My career journey has been rewarding and fulfilling, marked by a passion for connecting people with opportunities that align with their skills and aspirations. What truly inspired me to build a career in recruiting was witnessing the transformative impact that the right opportunity can have on a person’s life. My approach has always been relationship-centric, ensuring that each candidate feels valued and understood throughout the recruitment process. Building relationships, understanding people’s motivations, and helping organizations achieve their talent goals have been the cornerstones of my career. As I continue down this path, I’m driven by the opportunity to make meaningful connections and contribute to the success of both candidates and the Commonwealth.
What are you responsible for in your current role? How does your work inspire you on a daily basis?
In collaboration with amazing colleagues across the Commonwealth, I craft and deliver innovative enterprise-wide talent attraction programs, resources, and initiatives. I’m inspired and proud to support the Commonwealth’s commitment to attracting and engaging with a diverse, highly qualified applicant pool.
You joined the Commonwealth of MA less than a year ago. What was the interview process and onboarding experience like?
The interview process was thorough and well-structured. It began with an initial phone screening where I discussed my background and interest in the position. This was followed by a series of interviews with various stakeholders, including team members and hiring managers. Each interview was conversational yet insightful, focusing on my skills, experience, and how I could contribute to the Commonwealth’s goals. The interviewers were not only interested in my technical abilities but also my alignment with the organization’s values and mission.
Throughout my onboarding, I felt consistently supported by my team and supervisors. Regular check-ins ensured that I was settling in well and had the guidance I needed to navigate my new environment effectively. The emphasis on professional development and continuous learning has been particularly noteworthy, as it has allowed me to quickly ramp up and start making meaningful contributions.
What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career and how did you overcome it?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career was managing a team of 21 recruiters at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The sudden economic downturn forced us to make the difficult decision to lay off or furlough much of our team. To navigate this challenge, I focused on transparent communication, empathetic leadership, supporting the transition for those who were let go, and maintaining morale for the remaining team members. Through these efforts, we managed to navigate the initial crisis and gradually rebuild our team. This experience taught me invaluable lessons in crisis management, the importance of compassionate leadership, and the resilience of a dedicated team. It was a challenging period, but it also reinforced my commitment to leading with empathy and transparency, especially during times of uncertainty.
What roles are you currently recruiting for, and how would you sell a candidate on why they should work at the Commonwealth of MA right now?
Currently, we’re recruiting for a variety of roles across different secretariats and agencies, including positions in healthcare, IT, finance, administration, and public safety. There are several key reasons why I think working for the Commonwealth is desirable. For starters, it’s impactful work. Coming to work here allows you to make a real difference in the lives of Massachusetts residents. Every role contributes to the betterment of our communities and the state. Furthermore, this is a workplace that values diversity and inclusion while also emphasizing career growth. The Commonwealth is committed to fostering an inclusive work culture and invests in our employees through training programs, mentorship, and educational assistance. Finally, we offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes health insurance, retirement plans, wellness programs, and flexible work arrangements where possible.
As a recruiter, what are you looking for in potential candidates?
As a recruiter, I look for candidates who demonstrate a strong alignment with our organizational values and mission. Specifically, I seek those who have the relevant experience and skills; candidates who are a cultural fit and align with our values of integrity, respect, and public service; individuals who are adaptable and possess the ability to adjust to changing circumstances; and creative thinkers who demonstrate problem-solving abilities, and can tackle and propose effective solutions. Finally, I look for candidates who are passionate about public service and committed to making a positive impact.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve ever received is to “never stop learning.” In an ever-evolving job market, staying curious and committed to continuous improvement is essential. Whether through formal education, professional development courses, or learning from colleagues, consistently seeking new knowledge and skills keeps you adaptable and valuable in any role.
I make it a point to learn something new each day that I didn’t know yesterday regardless of how inconsequential or silly it may seem.
How would you describe your experience as a woman in a leadership position? How have you grown or evolved as a leader throughout your career?
As a woman in a leadership position, my experience has been challenging and rewarding. I’ve learned to navigate and overcome biases while advocating for myself and others. Throughout my career, I’ve grown by embracing resilience, empathy, and effective communication. Building a network of mentors and peers who provide guidance and support has been crucial to my growth as a leader. Additionally, as stated earlier, I’m a strong advocate for continuous learning and remain committed to personal and professional growth. Throughout my career I’ve learned to use my position to empower others and foster a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and encouraged to contribute their best.
Who have been your biggest role models throughout your career and how have they influenced you?
My biggest role models have been professional mentors, sponsors, peers, and colleagues. These individuals have influenced me by showing the importance of resilience, continuous learning, and the impact of leading with empathy and integrity. Mentors over the years have provided guidance, support, and encouragement, and they’ve influenced me by offering valuable insights and helping me navigate my career path. Meanwhile, sponsors believed in me and spoke my name in meetings to ensure executive leaders knew who I was. Then, many peers and colleagues continually demonstrated excellence and integrity in their work, motivating me to strive for the same standards.