“Connect People with Careers They Love—That’s the Formula for Thriving Companies, Fulfilled Candidates, And Winning YOU.”  – Sara Valderrama

A new year, a new story, kicking off 2025 with the story of Sara Valderrama, Director of Recruiting at Nivalmi Consulting.

With over a decade of experience in recruitment, Sara’s career revolves around a powerful belief:

“The right hire doesn’t just seal the deal: It ensures clients choose you always.”

Sara’s Journey in Recruiting Arena

Sara’s recruitment journey wasn’t planned—it unfolded through what she describes as “pure serendipity.

Sixteen years ago, Sara was working as a Learning & Development Manager when her colleagues in recruiting needed an extra hand. Already familiar with the roles from training, she stepped in to assist.

She enjoyed helping people connect with the right opportunities. 

“That experience opened my eyes to how impactful recruitment can be. I quickly fell in love with helping people find careers they’re passionate about while ensuring companies secure the right talent. From there, I never looked back!”

Challenges Faced, Lessons Learned & Success Redefined

Sara’s most persistent challenge as a recruitment leader is the lack of awareness among stakeholders. 

“Hiring managers often aren’t up to date with the latest recruitment trends, and candidates have unrealistic expectations of the hiring process.”

To address this, Sara has integrated education into every aspect of her recruiting process. 

She conducts regular intake meetings to inform her team and clients about market dynamics, salary ranges, and talent availability while ensuring candidates know each step and expectation to prevent surprises. 

Throughout this process, Sara has found that the key to “thriving companies, fulfilled candidates, and winning teams” is transparent communication, empathy, and doing what you love (and, of course, being fairly compensated for it).

“When you do something you love, you naturally understand the people around you better and deliver your best—that’s the success.” 

Sara goes BIG on work-life balance and prioritizes “fulfillment in work without compromising personal well-being.”

The Role of AI to Amplify Human Potential

According to Sara, AI’s most promising contribution to recruiting is the time it saves by automating repetitive tasks.

AI-driven tools that assist with searches, writing summaries, and creating job postings are non-negotiable, especially for smaller businesses, where resources are limited and everyone wears multiple hats. 

Organizational Compatibility  as the Key Differentiator

Commitment to organizational compatibility sets Sara apart from her competitors. 

“At Nivalmi Consulting, we fully immerse ourselves in our client’s company culture.”

By meeting clients, speaking with team members, and understanding their expectations, Sara tailors her searches to ensure candidates are well-rounded matches. 

Her services not only help clients with immediate staffing needs but also support broader transformation by implementing effective recruiting strategies.

Her advice for fellow recruiters?

“Never stop learning, always stay curious, and remember that every interaction, whether with a candidate or a client, is an opportunity to create lasting value.” 

Sara is very optimistic about the future of recruiting. Her story challenges us to think beyond transactions, whether we’re hiring, looking for a job, or leading a team. 

At her heart, Sara believes, “Recruitment was/is/and will always be about relationships and trust.” While technology is important, human connection remains irreplaceable.