Meet Adam Greer of Give Back Recruiting in Houston Heights

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam Greer.

Adam, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have been in the recruiting industry for 14 years now and really just fell into it randomly when I lived in Dallas, TX. I got a Marketing degree from Texas Tech University and knew I would end up doing some type of sales, though was not exactly sure what. Immediately after college, I decided to move to Atlanta, GA and did sales and consulting for a medical company. After two years in Atlanta, I was asked to transfer to the Dallas office which gave me the opportunity to get back to Texas. Soon after moving to Dallas, the company I was working for was sold, so I knew a change needed to be made. I was actually on a flight from Dallas to Houston to visit family when I sat next to someone who was in the recruiting industry. We struck up a conversation about what she did as well as my current situation and she felt I could be a good fit for the company she worked for.

I ended up going to work for the company she introduced me to, which was one of the largest international recruiting firms. I spent my first two years with this firm learning as much as I could about recruiting and the industry as a whole. I was then recruited to join a boutique specialty search firm in Dallas, but shortly after joining them, they were acquired. I was asked to move back to Houston to help open a new office with the acquiring company. I then had a couple stints with local firms in Houston before spending 5 years with a national search firm called: SolomonEdwards. I really enjoyed my time and had some great success with SolomonEdwards but I knew there was something missing and there was more than I wanted to do!

Getting involved with different organizations as well as my love for giving back actually dated back to my high school days. However, it was not until I moved back to Houston that I really started to get more involved with various charities, including being in some leadership roles. About eight years ago, I started attending events that benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and quickly knew, this was an organization that I wanted to get more involved with. I was then asked to join their Young Professional Board, serving in various leadership capacities and helping plan events. I was also nominated to run for Man of the Year benefiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. This was another organization I was familiar with, but I got to know even more about them during my campaign, eventually joining their Houston Leadership Board.

A couple other charities that I got to know through various events and getting more involved with were the Alzheimer’s Association and a local charity called Homemade Hope. Quite a few of my friends have played in the annual Blonde’s verses Brunette’s flag football game over the years to raise money and awareness for Alzheimer’s research and a good friend started Homemade Hope which serves Houston’s homeless and at-risk children through cooking classes, holiday celebrations, and field trips.

As my involvement grew with these various charities, I wanted to come up with a way to harness my experience in recruiting and desire to help others while also incorporating my love and passion for giving back. That is when I came up with the idea for Give Back Recruiting. I started my firm in 2016 where I help clients with their recruiting needs, assist candidates to find that next ideal job or career they are looking for while also giving back to those various charities I have worked with before. The concept is fairly simple, each time I place someone in a new job, I take a portion of the recruiting fee and allocate that to a charity I work with. This has allowed me to do two things I am very passionate about!

Has it been a smooth road?
Starting my own company has been one of the more rewarding, yet challenging things I have ever done. I can definitely say that it has not been an easy road and I have had my shares of ups and downs along the way, but I continue to trust this path God has put me on.

There was certainly a lot more to learn about starting a business than I initially anticipated. This included things like creating a logo and branding for the company, designing a website, figuring out payroll, knowing what taxes to pay and when to pay them for the company as well as creating marketing material to promote the business. During my entire career, these have always been things that were already available to me.

Another challenge was learning how to work from home every day. I have had quite a few people tell me that it must be great to work from home, but when I first got started and even to this day, little distractions pop up all the time. I have definitely had to learn to be more disciplined and productive at times working from home.

Based on some initial feedback when I was starting my company, I thought it would be easy to grow my business and new clients would come knocking at my door. I assumed everyone would love the concept and want to support giving back to charities. This has not exactly been the case. Some companies do love the giving back concept and want to support it, but most companies still need and want the best candidate to fill their need regardless if it supports others or not.

I have had to learn quite a bit and continue to learn new things, but even with the challenges and obstacles, I still love what I get to do everyday!!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Give Back Recruiting story. Tell us more about the business.
Give Back Recruiting is an Executive Search Firm that specializes in the permanent placement of Accounting, Finance, Human Resource and Administrative professionals.

I wanted to focus on three main areas which include client development, candidate recruitment and giving back.

With client development, the goal is to help the client’s business grow. Whether they have Accounting and Finance, Human Resources or Administrative needs, helping them fill those needs to meet and exceed their business goals is the top priority. My firm is dedicated to finding them the best talent for their business needs while establishing and maintaining long-lasting relationships.

Another focus is on candidate recruitment and helping candidates find that next career opportunity that will allow them to grow professionally and personally. I take a lot of pride in helping others grow in their career.

The third area of focus is giving back. Partnering with various charities to help give back to those who are in need is the concept. For every placement the firm makes, a portion of that placement fee is allocated to a charity I have worked with before.

Two things probably make the proudest when it comes to my firm. First, is when I get to help a client fill a need or help a candidate find a new job and the excitement I hear from them. Second is being able to give back and help make a difference in the lives of those in need.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
One thing I have noticed over the last few years is that there are more and more recruiting firms being established. I have seen quite a few people branch out on their own and start their own business, similar to what I did. This certainly creates more competition but at the end of the day, I truly believe it is all about the relationships you have built and continue to develop. People want to do business with those they like and trust and if you treat people the right way, they will continue to work with you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.givebackrecruiting.com
• Phone: 713-757-2882
• Email: adam.greer@givebackrecruiting.com

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