On this episode of TheEdge, Orion Talent CEO Sarah Peiker joins ClearEdge Marketing CEO and Founder Leslie Vickrey for a wide-ranging conversation centered on leading with your strengths. The pair discuss topics such as:

  • Why risks are necessary to help you grow your career
  • How setting family expectations early pays off in the long run for everyone
  • The importance of understanding that you’re the only one in charge of your career

Orion Talent is a provider of design-led solutions that deliver winning talent. The company is headquartered in North Carolina but has offices throughout the U.S. and remote employees in almost every state. The company’s roots are in military talent solutions, and to this day, they have a strong diversity focus as they expand their solutions. This includes offering services such as RPO, professional search, military search, direct sourcing, contingent workforce solutions, and diversity outreach and talent attraction. 

But before Sarah landed at the organization, she had to be introduced to the industry. And unlike many of our past podcast guests, Sarah entered staffing in a pretty direct way. She had an internship with Sheraton during high school, which led her to Michigan State University to study hospitality business. After graduating, she met with several hotels for potential roles, and one of the recruiters asked her a common hospitality interview question: if she wanted a career in the front or back of the house. But Sarah’s answer surprised the recruiter: in response, she admitted that she wanted the recruiter’s job, traveling around and interviewing students to be a part of the hotel team.

From there, she was advised to start in HR, which propelled her into a recruitment career outside of hospitality. Sarah notes that she wouldn’t be where she is today without that first pivotal career decision based solely on what she liked to do. Reflecting on the last 20 years of key moments, she realizes that leading with what she enjoyed set her up for great success and that what you love is often what you’re good at! 

The pair also touch on Sarah’s first experience presenting out of the country and how it’s when you’re out of your comfort zone, that you start to learn patience, resilience, adaptability, and cultural acceptance. We hope you enjoy this episode. 

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