N & V: You joined The Omnia Group six months after its inception. How many Profiles have you written in the past 16 years?
Peg: Probably somewhere between 60,000 and 120,000. Despite my tall col. 1 (scorekeeping tendencies), I've never really kept a precise tally.
N & V: You've worked in several jobs before signing on with Omnia. You were a licensed insurance agent, a customer service representative, a retail business owner, a construction company VP, a realtor, and a therapist in a state mental health facility. How much of an impact do these experiences have on your Profile writing?
Peg: Having had such a wide variety of work experiences has given me the ability to put myself in others' shoes and to more easily recognize the traits which are essential for doing a particular job. More than anything, I have great empathy for entrepreneurs who start their own businesses from scratch and struggle to get them on a solid footing. When Fred and I first moved to Florida, we opened a gourmet deli on a very exclusive island on the west coast of the state. We found most business owners on that island were in it for fun, for a hobby or a tax write off. We were actually trying to earn a living. Until someone has owned a business, no matter the size or the nature of that enterprise, it is very difficult to understand what it means to a person. "The books" might give one some sound general business knowledge, but they are no substitute for first-hand experience.
N & V: What are the keys to being a successful operations analyst at The Omnia Group?
Peg: One needs to be able to condense one's thoughts to fit the allotted space of the typical Profile report. A wide knowledge of the business world is helpful, as is a variety of life experiences. Being a comfortable, confident writer is essential, but being able to really understand why particular traits are needed in a position would also be requisite. The ability to perform under pressure, to meet a deadline, and still produce accurate, helpful reports, is critical, as Omnia prides itself on a short turnaround and the ability to deliver results that are customized to the client's situation, as well as practical and economical.
N & V: What is the most rewarding aspect of Profile writing?
Peg: Being a source of relevant, helpful information to the client and helping individuals end up in positions for which they are well suited and have high potential for success. It can be difficult to write a "not recommended" report for a candidate who is unemployed or under pressure and really needs the job. However, letting that person go further down the road to being hired in an incompatible position could only result in further stress for that individual, as his chances for success would not be very good. He might not have the job for very long.
N & V: Let’s imagine that it is 1986 again. Is there anything you’d do differently with respect to your career choice, or the way you’ve approached your career at Omnia?
Peg: When I first started with Omnia I was in a sales capacity. While this enabled me to learn the basics of the business, it was not my ideal niche. I would have opted to be in an analyst's role sooner, had it been my choice to make. I love the uniqueness of each Profile, each person's situation, and being able to help both the client/employer and the candidate/employee -- it's a win-win situation. Knowing how much our clients value what we do and rely on us for relevant information is what keeps me on the job and on my toes.
