Innovation

Rufca Recruiting Services is a search firm based in California. The company was founded in 2012 by CEO Mitch Rufca and focuses on direct hire recruiting for a variety of companies in job industries. From law firms to marketing agencies, Rufca Recruiting represents clients and candidates throughout California. Within Rufca’s Recruiting Services, the company states that both clients and candidates share one common theme which is quality. Quality within companies, partners, customers, and employers.

Originally from Illinois, Mitch Rufca attended Indiana University and received a Sports Marketing Degree. He then went on to continue his education at Pepperdine University where he received a Master of Business Administration. Currently, Mitch is a college professor at Loyola Marymount University, where he teaches a class on professional recruiting offered to Business students.

The mission behind Rufca Recruiting Services is to create meaningful and lasting relationships with clients and to pair employees with employers with integrity. Integrity Relationships is what sets Rufca Recruiting Services apart from other firms, as stated in the interview "A lot of recruiters have a bad rep where there trying to get a quick buck placing candidates in certain positions where they can get that.. My goal is that I want to foster people who are candidates of mine and improve their work situation and do it in a way that shows integrity". Something that Rufca values himself that is reflected in his business is authenticity. While working for his company he says, "I want to be the same person that I'd be to my friends and my students as same as I would be to clients and candidates".

Inspiration

Early on, Mr. Rufca wanted to be an entrepreneur who was able to carry over his values of authenticity, honesty, and integrity. He did not want to work in a corporate environment where individuals often feel as if their work is not being valued. He wanted to build his brand and enjoy certain freedoms that came along with that decision, including the ability to discover tangible output within his business, something he could not do if he was an employee.

He wants him and his employees to be the same people as they are in front of friends and families, clients and candidates. Rufca also encourages his candidates to be true to themselves when coaching them for an interview, because he knows that the employers are going to hire who they see in front of them, and if the employee becomes a completely different person on the job, the relationship fails.

During its inception, he was always concerned about whether his company delivered integrity at every step of the recruiting process. During the interview, he pointed out that many recruiting firms try to sell their clients whatever positions they have recruiters for, which sometimes does not fit the candidates’ strengths or aspirations. Rufca admits that to be consistent with his values, the company sometimes rejects candidates when there are available positions in the economy because he believes the two parties would not be compatible with each other, even though placing the candidate would make his company a quick dollar.

"A lot of recruiters will tell you whatever you need to hear, and put you're putting them in a situation where you're setting them up to fail."

Overall impact

Since 2012, Mr. Rufca estimates that his company places between 12-20 candidates every year. Rufca’s biggest impact however is the relationships that they have maintained after they have successfully placed a candidate in an industry. They actively avoid making their sales transactional and instead relational, meaning that when they help a candidate get placed, they do not just forget about them and move on to the next candidate. Instead, they keep in touch with all parties (both the recruiter and the candidate) after they start their jobs and look at the success that they both had. The impact this has on the company is that now the majority of recruiters that the company works with are past candidates who have gone through Rufca Recruiting.

The company not only serves the business sector but significantly contributes to societal and environmental improvement. By collaborating with nonprofits that have a direct impact on society, Rufca Recruiting amplifies its positive influence. A notable example is their partnership with a nonprofit dedicated to providing housing for the homeless. Through Rufca Recruiting's expertise, this nonprofit has been able to fill crucial roles, ranging from Director positions to general counsel and HR managers. By ensuring that such organizations have the right talent in pivotal roles, Rufca Recruiting indirectly aids in addressing societal challenges like homelessness. The effect of their work means that as these nonprofits thrive and expand their reach, more individuals in need receive assistance, leading to strong and more resilient communities. Furthermore, by supporting organizations prioritizing societal welfare, Rufca Recruiting prioritizes the importance of businesses playing an active role in environmental and societal sustainability.

Business benefit

Rufca Recruiting offers businesses a streamlined and efficient recruitment process, ensuring that companies match with candidates who are not only qualified but also well-informed about the position they are applying for. This approach reduces the time and resources that businesses might otherwise expend on multiple interviews and subsequent training.

By presenting well-screened and informed candidates, Rufca Recruiting aids businesses in making quicker hiring decisions, which can lead to reduced turnover costs and a more cohesive workplace environment. Their comprehensive management of the interview process from start to finish alleviates the burden on businesses, allowing them to concentrate on their core operations, and providing a tangible business benefit.

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Social and environmental benefit

The recruiting activity done by Rufca is one aspect of its societal impact since the company functions to help other people improve their lives through employment that contributes to the community and the overall economy. Even though Rufca Recruiting is not the sole reason those individuals are hired, they help put together the right people for the right jobs so that all parties are happier and more efficient in their work.

The other aspect of its societal impact is the work the company does outside of the business sector. Rufca frequently collaborates with non-profits, some of which not only have a positive impact on the communities but also the environment. A notable example is their partnership with a non-profit dedicated to providing housing for the homeless. Through Rufca Recruiting's expertise, this nonprofit has been able to fill crucial roles, ranging from Director positions to general counsel and HR managers. The effect of their work means that as these nonprofits thrive and expand their reach, more individuals in need receive assistance, which leads to stronger and more resilient communities.

Interview

Mitch Rufca, CEO