Interview with Nichole Manning

Fun Facts About Nichole:

Lives in San Diego, CA
Married to Jason, daughter, adult Maliyah, lives in Los Angeles and has Maltese mix dog, Harley
Works for Amgen as a Biomarker Oncology specialist
Enjoys playing tennis, skiing, reading, eating out, going to concerts, and playing games with friends and family
Things that I’ve learned to do during quarantine: gardening and knitting
Random facts – born in Philippines and lived in England and Germany for a combined 8 years due to mom

Your career as a Biomarker Oncology Specialist is quite different from your role as a Recruiter at Games For Love. Why did you decide to go these two routes?

I view myself as a connector. I have a passion for connecting people with opportunities or resources, which is why I’m drawn to recruiting. I also find fulfillment in knowing that the work I’m doing is helping people and making a productive difference in the world around me.

Even though my role as a Biomarker Oncology Specialist is different from a role as a Recruiter, both positions provide me with an opportunity to make a worthwhile impact in people’s lives.

Do you have an interest in video-games? If so, what games are your favorites?

I do! I grew up playing games on the original NES system and arcade games at the bowling alley. We lived overseas for several years of my childhood, so in addition to playing outside, games were a huge part of our recreational time, especially since TV was limited.

Some of my favorite games as a child were Super Mario Bros., Legend of Zelda, and Tetris. Ms. Pacman, Q-Bert, and Bubble Bobble (my Discord picture) were a few of my favorite arcade games. I’m probably dating myself, but that’s okay. 😊 Currently, my games are primarily played on my cell phone. I enjoy playing spades and Fishdom.

What does a recruiter bring to a team?

I view a recruiter as a matchmaker! Recruiters are responsible for understanding the hiring manager/or job requestors’ needs and matching those needs with a candidate’s expectation of a role. It’s rewarding to make a great match because both parties are satisfied and it usually results in a longer-lasting commitment from the candidate.

What is one of your most memorable experiences volunteering with Games For Love?

I can’t think of just one. I am in constant awe of the number of people who want to volunteer their time and talents to Games For Love. The outstanding roles are usually filled in a matter of days! It’s refreshing to know that there are so many people who care about giving to the greater good.

One of my favorite parts of recruiting for GFL is reviewing the volunteers’ portfolios. I am blown away by the amount of talent that I’ve seen in the few short months that I’ve been volunteering. It’s like opening up a treasure chest every time I click on a portfolio link. It’s definitely something I look forward to!

How did you first find out about Games For Love?

I was a referral of Mario Duff, the GFL project coordinator. She was the first friend I met when I moved to San Diego over 16 years ago, and remains one of my closest friends. Mario knew I was passionate about recruiting, but understood that I was having a tough time finding a role in the industry due to the economic effects of COVID-19. Joining GFL allowed me to build upon my recruiting skills while helping out a great cause. I’m extremely grateful to her for sharing this opportunity with me.

What motivates you to rise to the challenge?

When it comes to GFL, knowing the volunteer hours I contribute is ultimately helping out kids in need, is the motivating factor. It’s an honor to do something I enjoy which in turn provides such a positive crucial benefit.

What is one habit you do every day that leads to your success?

Being responsive is one habit that I practice daily. I don’t like the feeling of leaving someone hanging. When people reach out to me my goal is to respond at my earliest convenience. If I’m not able to do that, I try to manage expectations.

For instance, on my HR GFL e-signature, I state the days and the hours that I’m volunteering for that week. That way the volunteer candidate I’m corresponding with is aware and doesn’t expect to hear from me outside of those days and hours.

I believe this practice leads to my success because I can easily build credibility and rapport with both my internal and external customers. They know that when they reach out to me, they can count on me to respond.