The Passion Behind the Process
For Smallwood, Jones and Richie, the motivation to choose a career in recruiting ran deeper than matching resumes to job descriptions. It was about people. Smallwood shares that her natural love for conversation and connection made recruiting feel like second nature. “I used to get in trouble for talking too much in school,” she laughs, “so recruiting felt perfect for me.” What fuels her passion today is seeing the full picture – understanding candidates’ lives and aspirations, partnering with teams across Panasonic and witnessing the tangible impact each hire has. “Watching candidates grow into their roles and knowing that my work contributes to their success and to Panasonic’s progress makes it all worthwhile.”
With a degree in business management and human resources, Jones stumbled into the recruitment field with his first job out of college. It didn’t take long for the purpose to click. “Getting a first job or internship is a large part of someone’s life,” he says. “I love seeing the joy when someone gets that opportunity.” For Jones, the unexpected path turned into a fulfilling mission – helping people take meaningful first steps into their careers.
“For me, it has been about placing people not in jobs, but in careers where they can grow and thrive,” exclaims Richie. He reflects on the privilege of watching hundreds of hires go on to shape not just their own futures, but the future of Panasonic itself. “It’s been such an honor to be a part of Panasonic, now over 100 years old, and to help define the future of the company through hiring initiatives.”
From the First Hello
A vital part of the recruitment process is making candidates feel comfortable and respected. “I always think back to how I wanted to feel when I was applying for a job,” Jones shares. “Transparency is everything. While I’m assessing whether someone is a good fit for us, I want them to feel empowered to assess if Panasonic is the right fit for them, too.”
That two-way approach is echoed in the way interviews are conducted – from clearly outlining the process and expectations to the small, meaningful gestures that set the tone early on. “I start by letting candidates know what to expect and how long things might take. I ask how they’d like to be addressed – it’s a small thing, but it matters. The goal is to create a space where everyone feels comfortable showing up as themselves,” Smallwood acknowledges.
A warm and welcoming environment also helps ease some of the nerves that can come with job interviews. “What really sets the tone at Panasonic is the way our employees show up and engage with candidates. They’re proud to share their stories and are genuinely available to support candidates during the hiring process, onboarding and beyond,” shares Richie.
Whether a candidate receives the job offer or not, the goal is to ensure they walk away from the experience feeling heard and valued.
Living Our Values
How does the hiring experience reflect Panasonic’s culture? “For me, it starts with how I treat each candidate,” Smallwood claims. “I imagine they’re already a teammate and approach every conversation with that same level of respect. I share stories about our collective culture and ask what matters to them.”
From open communication to thoughtful follow ups, recruiters make it a point to reflect Panasonic’s values in every interaction. “Even if someone isn’t selected, I want them to walk away knowing they were genuinely considered. I stay in touch, encourage them to apply again and always keep the door open,” shares Jones.
Richie credits the strength of the hiring process to the behind-the-scenes collaboration that happens internally. “We’ve got one of the best Talent Experience Specialists I’ve ever worked with – Everett Mercado – who helps keep everything running smoothly. When we hire someone, we are welcoming them into a space where they’re supported to succeed.”
A Seamless Start
So, you’ve accepted your offer letter. Let the onboarding process begin! From the moment an offer is accepted, Panasonic’s recruiters work closely with Mercado to provide a smooth handoff. “Everett is truly awesome,” Smallwood exclaims. “Once I introduce him, he takes the lead, walking the new hire through what to expect and when.” Workday helps guide the process, laying out tasks and timelines so nothing gets missed. Logistics are important, but building relationships is the driving force. “I always let new employees know they can still reach out to me with any questions. If I don’t have the answer, I’ll get them to someone who does,” shares Jones. “I like to think of myself as their first friend at Panasonic,” adds Smallwood.
