Kayla Rafuse
Talent Acquisition Specialist
I must admit, being nominated as an inspiration to someone completely shocked me – I don’t know who you are, but I can’t put into words how good you made me feel and I am so appreciative of this. As much as I am a fun and energetic person, I am quiet and reserved. I had never heard of Amplify: East and started reading the many Amplify stories and all I could think was “Wow!... somebody thinks of me as on the same level as all of these remarkable women”.
When I began my undergraduate program at Saint Mary’s University, I had no idea what I wanted to be when I “grew up”. As I progressed in my degree, I knew I wanted to focus on people and graduated with a Major in Human Resources. Since graduating, the bulk of my career has centred around Recruitment and client service excellence. In Recruitment, I can make a difference when I help applicants secure a great job, help clients find their perfect fit, and seeing the combination of the two lead to personal and operational success is something you just can’t put a price tag on. In Recruitment, there's an opportunity to meet hundreds of exciting and outstanding people. But it does not stop there. The success is felt on a larger scale, as helping clients hire great talent impacts all Nova Scotians. People do amazing work. This is where it starts, with recruitment, and this is why we rock.
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What are you most proud of professionally? And who or why?
I am most proud to be a public service employee. There are only so many professions that give you the ability to impact and change lives. As a Recruiter, you wear multiple hats and touch on a broad range of HR subjects; and somewhere along the way through all the navigation of collective agreements, policies and processes, you make a difference in somebody’s life. There have been a lot of challenges faced so far in my career, but I am most proud to be resilient, springing back into shape and quickly adapting and overcoming any curve ball thrown this way.
What’s your vision for Atlantic Canada in 10 years? What’s our biggest opportunity now?
Our biggest opportunity right now is leveraging all the local talent, and new talent moving to our provinces. We are growing as a community and despite the challenges of our current times, we are moving forward at light speed. As a recruiter, I am excited to leverage all this talent. In my role you don't always see the immediate impacts of your work, but I am just one of those people who are helping to identify talent and see the individuals who I help hire make contributions which impact others on much broader scales.
What was your greatest stage of growth? What made it a shift for you?
Recently, I would say I have grown a lot. While I am always up to learn new things and take on the next opportunity, our recent unprecedented Covid19 and the last year - 2020, leading into 2021 - have really allowed me to grow personally. While this year has not been easy on any of us, I have found it quite rewarding to have the time to appreciate my surroundings and dig deeper into my own mindset. Mindset is everything. No matter what roadblock or challenge may be in your way, you need to look at the ways you are crushing it, growing, and focusing on being nothing but capable in all you do. Realizing that mindset has completely changed the way I approach my day to day; professionally and personally.
What’s your favourite or most read book or podcast? Now or at each of your greatest stages of growth?
I do have a favourite podcast. I might admit that I am biased towards it because the great mind behind it is one of my good friends! If you are ever looking for some real talk, with no filter, and just somebody who understands your vibes, is full of positivity, and just seems to get you, you need to check out my girl Amanda’s podcast “Toggle that Switch”.
It’s a casual podcast where she pours her heart and soul into what she believes. There is mom talk, there is fitness talk, there is real life and struggles. She is an inspiration to many, and often a sounding board for us all. She speaks her truth, is relatable, and has the best humor. A truly inspiring gal who has a topic for nearly every thing you could think of or relate to.
What’s your deepest learning from this past year? How did/will you apply it?
My deepest learning for 2020 and taking that into 2021 is you must always keep moving forward and never lose sight of your goals. After being nominated for this, I also realized and learned you inspire more people than you think; your friends, your babies, your family and colleagues. And it's okay to talk about YOU. If you were to ask me to respond to any of these questions a few months ago, I never would have done it; I am very quiet when it comes to myself. After recognizing this, I have learned it's okay to value you, and talking about your accomplishments is good for your soul. It's important to always focus on what lies ahead, learn from your past, and keep going.
Who’s inspired you, directly or indirectly? How have they inspired you?
So many people inspire me daily; from my fantastic friends, my fellow momma tribe, my rocking team mates, my mother, and more. I look to all these remarkable people in my life to learn from, grow from, and rely on to help either talk some sense into me, or provide that moral support. We are so much more powerful together and stronger when we think positively. I’m always in a great mood because of those who surround me and fuel all of my energy (and as I write this… I now understand where my toddler gets his crazy energy level from).
What are the principles you live by?
Have confidence in yourself. Believe in yourself. And never take anything for granted. Also, it’s ok to overindulge in what makes you happy; even if it is copious amounts of chocolate.
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Recruiter, Client Service Centered, Chocoholic, Positive, Energetic