Richard Brinkley

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Martha (Marty) Cerkez

Recruiter

How long have you been with Priority Staffing? I’ve been with Priority for a year and a half now.

What is your professional background? I worked closely with college administration, faculty, staff and students for many years.

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? There are few things in life that have a bigger impact on an individual and their family than landing or missing out on a great job. I take great pride and satisfaction in knowing that I can make a difference!

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? Someone who wants to work closely with me to help them. A great candidate needs to understand that we work TOGETHER to find that perfect job. They need to be serious about finding a position and available quickly for an interview. Jobs fill quickly, so we need to move fast!

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Stay on top of your resume.  Update your address and other contact information as soon as it changes. If you are not prepared to interview, notify us immediately. There’s nothing worse than getting an email or call from an employer at 3:15 pm to say that, “Mary did not arrive for her 3 p.m. interview today.”

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing? We are a group of highly dedicated, experienced and caring people who are good at what we do! We take great pride in our candidates and celebrate their triumphs!

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? I would love to be a Professional Internet Christmas Shopper. Imagine shopping in your bathrobe with a cup of coffee in your hand! (now if only I could hire a Professional Present Wrapper, my life would be complete!)

Fun Facts:

• Mother of two amazing adult children and two black lab dogs (who are slightly younger than the kids).
• There are 279 wineries in the state of Virginia. I’ve been to 83 of them (or, “so many wineries, so little time”)
• My favorite pastime — travelling to other countries to learn different cultures and sample new delicacies.
• I am not a fan of pumpkin spice anything!

Lori E. Chesson

Recruiting Manager

How long have you been with Priority Staffing?  I’ve been with Priority for seven years.

What is your professional background? I have held supervisory positions in banking (10 years), and in retail customer service (8 years).

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? I believe dedication and the ability to listen and understand the needs of a client make me a great fit.

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing?  Someone who is hard-working, dependable, trustworthy and able to maintain professionalism at all costs!

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today?  Be PRESENT!!  Anyone can be trained on anything, but you have to “show up” to be given a chance.

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing?  We are a diligent, committed group of staffing professionals who are dedicated to finding the best fit for your team.  We love what we do!

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? I’d love to be a professional Napper!  I could travel around and let everyone know the best places to take naps. Why? — because naps are AMAZING!

Fun facts:

• Lover of Beagles — have two — Lincoln and LuLu.
• Not a fan of chocolate but give me a lemon pound cake and I’m your friend for life.
• Favorite Color: Yellow.
• Guilty pleasure: Reality TV — I live for VH-1, BRAVO and HGTV.

Michelle Tickle

Relationship Manager

How long have you been with Priority Staffing? I’ve been here five and a half years.

What is your professional background? I was an HR Generalist for seven years prior to joining Priority Staffing, and spent 20 years with VF Jeanswear, where I began my career in the Equipment Center.

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? I truly love helping people, which is why I transferred to Human Resources. I enjoy the fulfillment of finding the perfect person for each position.

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? Someone willing to put in the hard work and dedication it takes to be successful. Candidates MUST work with Priority as a TEAM to be successful in their job.

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Candidates MUST be honest with us about everything; what type of job they are willing to accept, what salary they are willing to accept, and where they are willing to work. If they are not, it is only going to hurt their credibility in the long run and possibly hurt their chances of us working with them again.

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing? We are committed to our clients and do our best to find the perfect candidate for every job order. We care about our clients and candidates very much!

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? It would be a toss-up between a Professional Shopper and Professional Traveler, but I think I’d choose Professional Traveler. I love traveling all over, especially foreign countries, visiting places I’ve never been, places I’ve only dreamed about; learning their cultures, sometimes things I don’t like very much, but sometimes things I learn are great! I would be more than happy to give travel tips on all of my adventures!!

Fun Facts:

• Favorite team — Minnesota Vikings I met my husband at the Vikings fan club watching Vikings football.
• Love college football as well — favorite team Penn State.
• Enjoy traveling and discovering new places I’ve only dreamed about visiting.
• I absolutely LOVE music and enjoy going to concerts. Country is my favorite but I am open to all genres of music.
• I typically read about 10-12 books per year, most are non-fiction (memoirs and true crime).
• And last, but certainly not least…I love to shop, with Black Friday being my most favorite day EVER!! I usually shop for a minimum of 15 hours non-stop searching for the BEST deals.

Susan Simmons

Account Manager

How long have you been with Priority? I’ve been with Priority more than 20 years.

What is your professional background? I’ve been a teacher and worked in sales.

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? I love to learn about clients’ processes and challenges… then see how I can present an effective solution. I’m a great fit for Priority because working for a small business lets me go right to the source to get answers and solutions approved — no RED TAPE here.

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? An honest and caring person.

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Leave your cell phones in the car!!

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing? We are delighted and proud to go the extra mile to assure that our employees and clients are thrilled with our service.

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? I would love to work as a buyer who travels the world to find unique items for home, business or personal use.

Susan Springer

Sales Account Representative

How long have you been with Priority Staffing? I started here in the fall of 2017.

What is your professional background? I have a background in commercial and residential real estate

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing?  As a Sales Account Representative, I meet new people every day. I have a curious nature and love learning about other people and their business. The staffing industry has given me an opportunity to learn about many different industries in Hampton Roads; we are a wonderfully diverse community!

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? There are many perfect fits for Priority Staffing, but the common denominator is a candidate with a great attitude and a willingness to work hard.

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Do a self-critique and don’t take short cuts when it comes to the job hunt. You are awesome; so be sure to present yourself in a way that the rest of the world can see just how awesome you are! 

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing?  We are a local, family-owned company that truly cares for its clients and will do all we can to ensure your experience with us is top notch.

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why?  I’d be a crew member for the TV show “Anthony Bourdain Parts Unknown.” I’d love to travel the world and experience different cultures.

Fun facts:

• I love to be on the water; especially on a kayak.
• I’m a baseball fan (Go Nats!) and can keep a scorebook (yes, I know what a 6-4-3 double play is).
• I have a passion for volunteer work. I have volunteered for many different organizations over the years including the Salvation Army and REACH.

Paulette Brinkley

Administrative Assistant

How long have you been with Priority Staffing? I’ve been a part of Priority for 23 years.

What is your professional background? I’ve worked for national and local staffing firms as a receptionist, an Interviewer and as a payroll assistant.

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? I like people — talking with them and meeting new people and staffing is a people business!

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? Someone who really wants to work and do a great job!

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Be your best. The rest will follow.

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing? We are a dedicated group of professionals who work well together to achieve the best outcome for both the customer and the employee.

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? Professional vacationer and traveling restaurant sampler!

Some of my favorite things:

• Family
• Beach vacations
• Bicycling
• Sailing and cruising the Chesapeake Bay

Carrie Brinkley

Payroll Manager

How long have you been with Priority Staffing? I’ve been with Priority nine years now.

What is your professional background? I have a background in office management and payroll.

What makes you a perfect fit at Priority Staffing? With the business and all parties involved, we operate in order to do the right thing by all and that is the way I like to live.

What type of candidate is a perfect fit for Priority Staffing? Those who are responsive, hard working, responsible, appreciative, and positive.

What is one piece of advice you would give to candidates today? Not much is private anymore, so be aware of and comfortable with what is on your social media profiles.

What would you want clients to know about Priority Staffing? We do more than push resume results your way — we meet with every candidate before determining their fit and interest your need. This is a major value when dealing with actual people.

If you could land any other job, what would it be and why? A music supervisor for film and television.  My waking life is always better with music.

Fun facts:

• It took me 15 years to get my Bachelor’s degree at ODU and I am very proud to have it. Never give up.
• Favorite poem:

I don’t mind eels,
Except as meals,
And the way they feels.
– Ogden Nash, “The Eel”

• I pretty much love everything vintage/antique and wondering what the story might be behind the items. I can spend days in antique malls, thrift stores, and junkyards!