Thirty years ago, Roberta Margolis was at a crossroads in life. She was ready to reenter the workforce after having kids, but she didn’t know what she wanted to do. “So I went to a career counselor,” Roberta says. “They were so helpful.” They identified her strengths — good interpersonal skills, knowledge in the medical field, entrepreneurial skills — then suggested she apply for a job that tied it all that together.
“I looked in the Sunday paper and found an ad for a healthcare recruiter at a small company.” She expressed her interest, received an interview, and they hired her on the spot! Over the years, that small company, as well as Roberta’s career, blossomed.
Roberta is now a senior consultant for our
CompHealth office in Trumbull, Connecticut. She works with clients who are recruiting primary care physicians. Learn more about Roberta and her amazing journey over the past three decades in this Q&A:
What was it like when you first started working at CHG?
When I joined the company, it was
Weatherby Healthcare, not CompHealth. It was originally composed of a tax division, a wire and cable division, and a healthcare division, which was about two or three years old and very small. I think I was the fifth or sixth person hired in that division. There was one office in Norwalk and there was no internet or computers. We mailed paperwork to our clients, and then a few years later, we faxed it.
What changes have you witnessed throughout the years?
The predominant change has been the amazing growth of our company. When I was first hired, there was only the small healthcare division in Norwalk. Over time, that company grew to two additional offices (Fort Lauderdale and Chicago). Weatherby continued to place permanent physicians and then added the
locum tenens division. Both divisions continued to be very successful and to grow tremendously until CompHealth bought the company. And, as they say, the rest is history.
Why do you like working at CHG?
I like that I have autonomy of running my own desk — it’s like having my own business. I like that I can be a “rainmaker” and make things happen from scratch, such as finding a new client and making a placement happen from the beginning to the successful completion. I love the strong earning potential, and very importantly, I love working with a really great group of people.
How have you grown personally while working here?
I knew nothing about sales when I was hired, so I learned everything on the job. I was very fortunate that Weatherby had terrific training and periodically brought nationally known sales trainers into the office or sent us to top training programs. I could not have been successful without the support of the company.
What advice do you have for others looking to grow their careers?
Be a sponge and absorb as much as you can from everyone around you. Be open to new ideas and to new skills. Be willing to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Try new tactics that might make you feel insecure — they will help you grow. Pay attention to what others tell you works for them and give it a try. Find new resources. Stay on top of trends in healthcare — your candidates and clients will appreciate your professionalism and knowledge.
If you had a day to do anything at all, what would you do?
I would like to spend the day with my daughters, sons-in-law and granddaughters, just being together, enjoying a beautiful summer day in my backyard.
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