Our Hiring Hero Series showcases talent acquisition pros across the globe who are dedicated to connecting people with their next great opportunity.
Marlin Gayfield began his Hobby Lobby career as a store manager over 11 years ago. Today, he leads a team of 17 recruiters working to staff their 900+ arts and crafts stores nationwide.
How was he able to rise up the ranks? We recently sat down with him to uncover his strategies for success.
“Promoting from within is one of Hobby Lobby’s big differentiators…While it’s certainly been challenging to get where I am now, opportunities for advancement are unlimited for those who seek them.”
What does it mean to you to be a Hiring Hero?
“I am not the hero—that’s my team of recruiters. They do all the hard work. All I do is search for ways to make their job a bit easier.”
And you’ve been a recruiter at Hobby Lobby yourself, right? Can you talk more about that?
“Yes. My current title, Assistant Director of Management Recruiting, is actually my fifth since joining the company. I started here over 11 years ago as a co-manager then held positions as a store manager, recruiter, and buying analyst before landing where I am now.”
It sounds like you’ve experienced tremendous growth within the organization. Is that common at Hobby Lobby?
“It is common, actually. I’d say promoting from within is one of Hobby Lobby’s big differentiators. Here, they believe that for leaders to truly understand the intricacies of the business, they should be involved from the ground up. In fact, all of our Store Managers, District Managers, Regional Vice Presidents, and many other company leaders have worked on the floor at some point. And promotions are performance-based, so while it’s certainly been challenging to get where I am now, opportunities for advancement are unlimited for those who seek them.”
That’s incredible! Can you give us a quick overview of your current role?
“We’re opening around 40 to 50 new stores a year and we need about 100 employees per store. So, I work to make sure all of our locations are fully staffed and I manage a group of 17 recruiters who are out there finding talent across the country. I also work closely with the Director of Recruiting to develop and execute our organizational strategy for sourcing, recruiting, and staffing.”
“Focus on candidates that fit well with your company culture, fill your organizational needs, and then once you get them on board, cultivate their growth.”
What skills are you and your team looking for while hiring?
“For us, it’s about finding people who fit our company culture, can lead and grow within the organization, and stay employed with us long-term. We want those individuals who are looking for more than just a quick paycheck.”
Do you have any advice for other retail businesses competing to land talent right now?
“Focus on candidates that fit well with your company culture, fill your organizational needs, and then once you get them on board, cultivate their growth.”
Marlin’s Tips for the Future of Recruiting
“Recruiting is becoming more of a virtual experience and we’re all going to have to find ways to adapt to it—especially in the retail space. Competition to land talent is only growing so it’s important for businesses like ours to find ways to differentiate and advertise why we’re a great company to work for. We’re always adjusting our job descriptions and making sure to highlight things like employee benefits and growth opportunities.”
Join the Hobby Lobby team! Offering impressive growth opportunities for employees, Hobby Lobby is continuing to open stores nationwide and they’re always on the lookout for hardworking individuals. Take a look at some of the roles Marlin and his team are hiring for right now!
