Gaston Dominguez

As I hit my 3 year anniversary here at Gopuff - today unfortunately is my last day due to another round of restructuring layoffs. Its hard to put into words the feeling of being on this side of the conversation - however, what I do know is that over the last three years this #TalentAcquisition Team has truly been an absolute power house and these people have been my rock & the reason I got after it everyday. #ThankYou for being my WHY. Just to drop a few highlights of how proud I am you... - hiring over 30K people across all of Gopuff BevMo! and Liquor Barn and Party Mart in 3 years -building a high volume hiring process through a team of recruiters that I truly can call my #fam - you all are so incredibly talented. I am happy to have been able to play a role in your development and lives! Some of you starting out as your first recruiting roles & now look at how far you have come... its truly remarkable. 🎶 " started from the bottom now we're here " - Drake - supporting an incredible Field Operations Team with leadership that is so driven and resilient; it will be amazing to see what else you accomplish - working alongside some of BEST IN CLASS people and culture professionals to ever exist, you will all go on to do great things... this is just the beginning While I am not sure of what's next... one thing I do know, I cant wait to have our paths cross & do it all over again with you! Cheers to the next chapter but never forgetting this one. #layoff #gopuff #bevmo #talentacquisition #opentowork #recruiting #peopleworkforpeople #humanresources #newchapter #jobsearch

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"Design and construction costs are expected to climb about 2% this year in some U.S. markets, according to a new report from property services provider and brokerage JLL. Among the lowest for anticipated cost increases is Detroit, where the estimated average expense for a build-out this year rose 1.63% from 2023 to $249 per square foot, and Miami with an anticipated gain of 1.76% to $231, while Dallas could see a 2.25% climb to $227". CoStar Group JLL Gensler Bloomberg #dallastx #returntooffice #postpandemic #officeredesign

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Reflections on 10 months since being laid off… This week marks ten months since I was impacted by layoffs at my former company. With a San Diego mortgage and at an age when shoring up my finances is now-or-never-time, I’m not going to lie and tell you that I don’t miss a steady income. But I’m mildly surprised at how much I’ve strangely enjoyed using this unasked-for gift of time and focus to re-invest in myself, dial my assertiveness-meter up to MAX, and for lack of a better term, figure shit out. My top three takeaways upon reflection where I’m at with a bummer anniversary approaching: 1.) Humility and gratitude above all. I’m thankfully in the position where I can remain career-focused based on what I want to do and what I’ve been building towards through my experience. I have not had to find or take any jobs out of desperation or attempt to change careers out of necessity. I recognize that I am unbelievably fortunate in this regard, and I don’t ever lose sight of this. 2.) Job tip-offs are good, but referrals are everything. The challenge in this marketplace is in no way the number of open jobs – there are plenty of these. I’ve seen a gazillion job postings for remote director-level work at cool global/national brands, but the competition for attention for these roles is nearly inconceivable. Without having a direction connection or introduction at these companies, I might as well just go out and buy a Powerball ticket instead. However, in almost every instance during these past ten months, the interviews I’ve had have come from referrals, introductions, and in-house connections – either established in the past or built through active networking during this time off. 3.) Contract work is the present and future. While I’m not closing the door on full-time in-house opportunities by any means, having read the tea leaves these past nine months, it’s become clear that fractional work, consulting and tactical projects are abundant. This past week, I’ve laid out the contract work shingle here on LinkedIn. Having played in pretty much every marketing media channel there is, I can provide top-level strategy and insight, while, as with most project work, getting my hands dirty as well in executing work. I’ve been able to get some work from my connections in the health & fitness and entertainment industries – the two where I have the most extensive recent experience, and I look forward to building out my portfolio further, as well as being able to chip in on expenses as my wife maintains current breadwinner status.

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A recruiter recently reached out looking to fill a position. Realizing the role was the same they had reached out to me about a year ago, I asked: “What happened there? Did they hire someone and it didn’t work out?” “Yeah,” she said. “They ended up realizing that the person needs to be a specialist in xyz platform. The previous candidate we hired had only worked on platform abc which is, I’m told, a lot easier.” “Oh,” I said. “You can tell them I’m not interested.” “But do you have experience in xyz platform?,” she asked. “I do, but I’m not interested.” “May I ask why?,” she insisted. “I don’t work at places that are not interested in coaching employees,” I replied. I can’t say she was surprised, as she has probably gotten similar feedback before. I’m not surprised either, as that seems to be norm nowadays, with companies wanting candidates that need no ramp up time. Well, guess what? Platforms change. Technology changes. And it also happens a lot faster than you think it will. What happens to that employee then? Do they just get replaced by someone who knows the latest tech? Me, personally, I’d prefer hiring someone who has the right mindset and “gets it.” Hard skills are teachable. Some of the best employees I’ve had the pleasure to lead didn’t excel because of their hard skills, but their character. Their grit, their perseverance, their willingness to change and to learn new skills, and to keep striving to be better. What would you do? #leadership #coaching #mentoring #recruiting

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April 2024 Market Snapshot - City of Chicago 2,207 properties were sold in the City of Chicago in April 2024. This is a 6.4% increase from April 2023.   The median sales price in the City of Chicago for April 2024 was $370,000, which is an 8.8% increase from April 2023.   The City of Chicago saw listings average 61 days on the market until contract, which is a 19.7% decrease from April 2023. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gt_9F3yp

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Networking is not like turning on a light switch to meet people In addition to being a company or corporate recruiter for the past several years, I have held a "not day job" as a Co Facilitator of a Networking Group for people between jobs and who are looking to make a career change. And it never ceases to amaze me that many people remain unaware of what networking is, why it's so important and how to do it. It has been my experience that different articles, authors and publications continue to state that 70% of all jobs are filled via networking as distinct from responding to job posts and more traditional methods of hiring. When I was younger, I was often told "it's not what you know, but who you know that counts". And at this stage of my career, I would say that both what you know and who you know are both critically important. Often times, companies and organizations go through critical changes, or someone is planning to leave a job or retire. And an informal conversation can uncover these changes, many times before they happen. And in those same instances, sometimes one can even discover who a hiring manager might be, or a referring "friend". But the key is networking. "Networking is for when you don't need to be networking". None of us has a Crystal Ball that works on a continuous basis. Mine has been in the shop for many years and no matter how hard I try, I still can't get mine to work. We don't know when we will lose a job, or have to move, or change careers, or maybe even have some health challenges. So again the subject is networking. And again, going back to my own experience and sharing stories I have heard from many others over the years, networking is getting to know people and building relationships. And it sometimes can include helping others overcome situations or deal with problems whether they be work related or even personal. So its more than reaching out here on Linkedin or maybe even facebook or instagram to see how many contacts, friends or connections you have. Its about what you do with them and how you interact with them. I have heard stories from people who were laid off from a job after many years, and then they say, "I guess I ought to start networking because I have been out of work for a while and not having much success with responding to job postings". Again its about building those relationships. It's about sharing information-some people call it an "informational gift" where you see an article, read a publication-that may be about a particular industry, a trend, or maybe a company having a big success, or maybe even a terrible failure. But the article or publication may be informative and helpful for others to know about. So you decide to share it with or for others. Ask yourselves this question. With all of the connections you have on Linked, if someone were to ask you for help with an introduction to any of those people, how many would you be able to introduce beyond just their name?

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Ugh, the life of a Retail Leader is always fun. But sometimes, sh!t happens. My wife was visiting her Indiana stores, so she had a long drive coming home. 10 minutes away from home, a rock hit her windshield. We'll be calling around to get some quotes. We would then see if we use insurance. On a positive note, that's one of the benefits of having a savings account. ✅ Almost like a "sh!t is going to happen" account. Because sh!t happens all the time. The best we can do is proactively prepare as much as we can. Money makes things a bit less annoying. Having an emergency fund is a must. I look at emergency funds in two ways: 1. An emergency fund if you lose your job or need to quit for a bit. This is typically 3-6 months worth of expenses. Your financial plan should tell you how much you need. Start with your fixed expenses first and work your way up to include the variable expenses. This type of emergency fund helps you sleep at night. 2. Another savings fund for when things happen or stuff breaks. Windshield, A/C, a large appliance, HVAC, car repairs, medical bills, etc. This account makes annoying things slightly less annoying, at least from a monetary perspective. It also helps minimize the need to use credit cards, that could lead to unfavorable debt. ------- 👉 Tips: -Keep the cash in these accounts in a High Yield Savings Account. -Use bonuses to help fund these accounts. -Understand your monthly cash flow. Know your fixed and variable expenses. -Know the minimum amount of money you would need to support your lifestyle if you don't have a job/income for a short amount of time. -If you get paid by-weekly, you would get 2 extra paychecks a year. Use those 2 checks to fund/top up your emergency funds. -Consider having a Home Equity Line of Credit. It may be a better option than using a credit card due to lower interest rate. All of the above is part of financial planning. We will regularly discuss and monitor if you are financially healthy. Part of having financial peace of mind, so you can focus on living life. PS: It is a pretty cool looking crack though. The ones I have seen usually look like a spider-web. #knowyourkoyns

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I often see posts about people upset about being ghosted by recruiters. While that probably happens more than it should and there is no excuse for it, it runs both ways. One day a candidate is "thrilled". then the next POOF - they disappear. Sometimes life happens and things change - that's okay! If you're in the interview process and can't continue (for whatever reason!) take a moment to tell your recruiter. DO NOT, I repeat, do not NOT show up for an interview. It shows a lack of professionalism and evaporates any chance you may have had with that employer. A quick email or call to cancel will save everyone time and frustration, AND keep that relationship intact should you ever need them as a resource in the future. 😉 #dontburnabridge #jobseekingtips

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Would love your thoughts! I started my retail management career at 18 as an Assistant Manager at Blockbuster and by the time I graduated college I was running my own store. After college I decided to move on from Blockbuster (obviously a good choice) and became a Hardlines Executive for Target, leading large teams. Looking back, I’m not sure anything in my education prepared me for that but the leadership and operations skills I learned in my previous roles was priceless. Now, I don’t want you operating on me if you haven’t been through medical school, but I don’t believe you need a 4-year degree to be qualified to be a leader. Should companies require a degree? Does college need to be “what you do” after high school? ABC posted an interesting story sharing how more companies are dropping the requirements for college degrees. (See story in comments) #foodforthought #leadershiprequirements #lifeskills

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Now that I've had some time to grieve as needed, I can now talk about being impacted by the Nike layoffs. I started Nike in 2016 as an ETW or a contact employee.  It all happened because I had been a supervisor at Champ Sports (at 18 years old). I manifested, prayed and did what I could to get my north star. I had applied many times, but couldn't land there. I thought it was because I wasn't intelligent enough or didn't have the right credentials to make it on their payroll. So, I stopped applying and let my dream collect dust in my mind. Fast forward years later to 2016. I'd just lost my job from a MASSIVE decrease (small company of 30 went to 3 people). A recruiter reached out and asked the magical question, "Would you like to work for Nike?" Without hesitation, I said ABSOLUTELY and was given the info about contracting work. I'd never done this before and knew it was risky, but I did NOT care- I was going to get this job. So, I drove 3 1/2 hours from Washington State to interview, drove back during traffic and finished packing a bag to leave on a plane a few hours later. To say I was driven and determined is quite the understatement. Fast forward 2 years, and my contract was about to end and of course, I tried to find my place as a full-time employee so I could stay there forever. Low and behold, I ended up getting hired, full-time, in 2018 into the very team who initially contracted me and have been there ever since. In 2017, I experienced my first round of layoffs; I'd never really been a part of something so massive and I was terrified. But our leadership explained why our team was so pivotal to Nike and North America and we ended up being safe. The 2nd and 3rd layoffs felt just as hard to watch even knowing I was safe. I can't change the "why" this time. But, I will forever be thankful and blessed to have had my dream come true with the most amazing teammates a person could ever ask for. And not just teammates- FAMILY. That is something I will forever hold in my heart. Those connections are now my village and I am theirs.I know there is life outside of the BERM and hope maybe one day, I can finish my years there. But until then, I'll hold my relationships, friendships and village in my heart. And I know, without question, that my years there allowed me to have grown to be the person I am today; I am happy with the reflection I see in the mirror and that can't be taken from me. #Stilllovetheswoosh #Diamondsarecreatedbypressure #Nike

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🎉 Chicago Recap: Chelsea Peitz Live! 🎉 6 incredible events packed into one week—thank you, Chelsea, for an unforgettable experience! 🙌 Here's what I learned: ✨ Imperfection connects content. 👀 Face/eye contact builds trust. 🤝 Familiarity creates likability. 🌟 Real-time shared experiences establish true connection. Engagement Strategies: 📱 Think about real-life actions—how would you connect in real life? ⚡️ Match your energy online and offline. Trustworthiness Online: 1. Show your face. 2. Show your competence. 👥 Community will help share your content. Content Optimization: 📝 Make your page scannable. 🎥 60-second videos to demonstrate competence. 📅 Post once a week. 5-Step System: 1. Superfan 2. Searchable 3. Starts conversations 4. Story-focused 5. Shareworthy General Tips: 📖 Do not read and memorize a script. 🚫 Don't consume before you create. 💬 Superfans must be good engagers. Additional Key Points: 💬 Have 3 meaningful conversations a day. 📊 Use social media as a CRM. 🔍 Hashtags help connect to content people consume (#ForSale). Instagram Insights: 📈 Instagram will test your content with non-followers. 💡 Build trust through Instagram Stories. Thank you Chelsea for an incredible week! #RealEstate #Realtor #RealEstateAgent #ChicagoRealEstate #IllinoisRealEstate #ChicagoRealtor #Attorney #Lawyer #ChicagoAttorney #IllinoisAttorney #ChicagoLawyer #ChicagoBusiness #RealEstateTips #LegalTips #Chicagotitle

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One year ago today, I applied to some more positions.  At this point it was 4 months after being laid off (January 2023) from a company I loved working for. One of those applications was to Point Blank. I had decided to quit Uber driving a few weeks earlier and really focus on finding a job. I was expecting it to be much easier than it turned out to be. This was after 100+ applications and about 15 different interview processes. My confidence in finding a great opportunity in the foreseeable future was low. Then about a week later I got a message about an interview request with Point Blank. I knew of them from my past at Randstad. It wasn’t a perfect fit (by title), but it was close enough to make me apply and want to interview. I knew it was a solid company already. I had a great initial conversation with the hiring manager. Then I went onsite to see the facility and meet the rest of the HR Team. I could tell this was a great team right away. Next step was to meet the hiring manager’s boss.  That was a tough interview, but it didn’t scare me off. I had another offer in hand at that point. Luckily Point Blank made me an offer that turned out to be exactly what I wanted, including the title. I accepted the position at Point Blank and was excited to join the great team that I interviewed with. I was fortunate and grateful. I am just as excited today as I was on my first day. The reason I am mentioning all of this is that I know how tough it can be to find a great opportunity in this market. My advice to job seekers is to network (of course) and focus on the companies that you are interested in. Don’t ignore the others, but I believe you will interview better with the ones you are passionate about and that could separate you from the rest of the candidates. You can’t fake passion. Happy to connect with anyone looking for advice. In the meantime, best of luck with your job hunting! Don’t look back, keep looking forward. Good things are coming and everything happens for a reason. Like applying for that job that didn’t have the perfect title. :)

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I keep seeing posts that talk about, "stop asking about employment gaps", "life happens", "kids happen", "health issues happen", "layoffs happens" and/or "family commitments happen". But at the same time, I get responses from recruiters like this one: "they only hire experienced people who have recent experience...I’m sorry but this isn’t a fit". If I clearly have the years of experience and "________ happens", how and when does a person (me) ever get the opportunity to have "recent experience" when recruiters use the "________ happens" as an excuse to NOT present you to the Hiring Manager(s)?