Insider Q & A: Nancy Hickey on Hiring at Steelcase & The Way We Work Now
If you are reading this, chances are good that you may spend a lot of time in your chair. In 2006, the University of Minnesota did a study and found that sitting may be one of the biggest causes of American’s obesity crisis — the amount of exercise we did stayed the same for 20 years, but the amount of time we spent in our chairs increased by 8%.
Fast forward, five years — and 90% of us own at least one computerized device. 1 out of 2 of us owns — or will own — a smartphone by Christmas. We work everywhere.
Today, we profile a company that focuses on designing products for the changing world of work — and how they hire.
Steelcase Inc. is a global office environments manufacturer known for creating innovative workplace experiences and solutions that are nice to look at, ergonomically correct, and useful.
We sat down with Steelcase’s Nancy Hickey for a conversation.
As senior vice president, chief administrative officer for Steelcase Inc., Nancy Hickey is in the business of people.
With the company for over 25 years, she has interacted with employees from all facets of the business that contribute to the company’s strategic goals. In her current role, Nancy manages global functions such as corporate communications, human resources, corporate and community relations, facilities, sustainability, Steelcase University and cultural innovation. She appreciates the sense of camaraderie at Steelcase and credits her background in teaching to her ability to connect and communicate with coworkers all around the world.
What types of jobs is Steelcase hiring for right now?
There are a variety of positions currently available at Steelcase. Within our different brands, there are opportunities in business development, marketing, general management, finance and IT. There’s a healthy balance of opportunities across the company and around the world. We are a global company and while the positions I have mentioned are more North American-centric, we are also growing our presence in Asia and Eastern Europe, to name a few. Many of the job functions within the company offer the ability to work in different geographies or with colleagues from around the world. We have found this to be an interesting and attractive job feature for new hires, particularly Millennials and Gen Yers.
Your global headquarters are in Michigan, a state well known in recent years for an economic slowdown due to trends in automotive manufacturing. Do you want to speak to any hiring you are doing to help statewide employment efforts?
We are based in Grand Rapids in the western part of Michigan, the opposite side of the state from Detroit and the auto hub. Many don’t realize that Grand Rapids is actually the second largest city in Michigan. Fortunately, we haven’t experienced as dramatic effects as the Eastern side of the state did. We want to see Michigan emerge as a strong state and we realize that the hiring we do contributes to the statewide employment efforts. I’ve greatly enjoyed my time living here. Our city is an incredibly robust with a strong base of philanthropy and community not to mention a strong work ethic.
Steelcase has forged a leadership role in manufacturing products that are ecologically responsible. Just as sustainability is an important aspect of your product design and manufacturing, is Steelcase a source of green jobs? If yes, what type of environmental education and training is helpful?
In many ways sustainability is a big part of the company’s culture, being a global manufacturer. It is important to us that potential employees have a heightened awareness of environmental and social sustainability. This isn’t hard to find in younger candidates who have been raised in the culture or in awareness of the importance of developing products that can be created without a negative impact on people or the environment.
Steelcase was a privately owned family business for 88 years; next year we will celebrate our 100th anniversary. Since 1912, Steelcase has been careful about the products we create and the processes we implement to make them. The question today is: How do we make products not only beautiful and well designed but healthy for its users while being easily recyclable? We design our products so that they have a positive impact across the product development life cycle – from beginning of its life to the beginning of its second life. For example, time and cumbersome products often deter people from recycling. One solution we’re particularly proud of is our Think chair, a product that someone could disassemble in less than five minutes with a common hand tool. We put enormous effort into walking our talk when it comes to sustainability.
What don’t job seekers know about working at Steelcase that they should know?
When I think back 25 years ago when I first started at Steelcase, large companies were building huge corporate campuses. We were – and still are – very good at controlling our supply chain so we can deliver premiere office environments for customers. Over time, we’ve become students of the workforce, and how it is changing. Work is no longer the same. We are constantly connected through our smart phones, laptops, social media tools, etc. Work doesn’t necessarily have to happen within the confines of an office space. So now, we focus on delivering premiere work environments that facilitate the ways people work today. Space needs to allow for team collaboration and multiple work functions. Part of the day you might want to be in a small space with natural light where you can read a contract, or you want to be in a bigger room to meet with a client, or to have a good conversation with colleagues in Europe or Asia via HD technology.
We still sell objects, but our direction is about helping create great experiences wherever work happens.
Any bad assumption that you’ve seen job seekers make in applying for jobs with Steelcase?
Don’t assume that the purpose of the interview is for me to tell you about the company. There’s no excuse for being unprepared. I expect everyone to have a certain level of knowledge and interest in the company before they talk to me – even a potential college intern. Show me that you understand what it is that we do – not necessarily every nuance of our industry – I want to use the time to get to know you. I should also note that authenticity is important at Steelcase. This has been a place where I can be Nancy. It’s made me want to be a better me—not someone else. I know that all of my colleagues come to work every day with the intention of working hard and doing a good job. It’s a great environment to be in; it has nurtured me through the years.
Tell me about a recent hire you made – how they got your attention, and why you hired them.
Many of the candidates that I’ve hired share some common characteristics. First is intellectual curiosity; truly being curious and comfortable with that curiosity not just about what they do, but about customers, other opportunities inside the company, our industry, etc. Another trait is a sense of collaboration. You should be willing and able to share with others, work with others on a regular basis and support those around you. Lastly, applicants should also be willing to take the initiative within their potential new role. We can train you to do lots of things but you should take the initiative to use those skills. I am not the least bit interested in someone who comes to me and says, “What should I do today?”
Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question, and what’s your answer?
Career opportunities with Steelcase are available online. We also utilize Facebook and other social media tools to engage with and attract potential employees.
Steelcase Career Opportunities
Use it now—actionable—advice for job seekers:
I always say a career is like a puzzle; you have to look at the whole picture. Whether you are looking to go into finance, marketing, product design or sales, be open minded and take into account the whole experience – think about what it is you can take away from a particular role. Understand the many pieces of the company and be willing to learn about new things that might be the right fit for you. You’re not going to know enough unless you are open and aggressive learner.
