Insider Q & A: WellPoint Talent Manager Shanil Kaderali on How to Get Hired

Shanil Kaderali is the Manager of Talent Programs at WellPoint responsible for developing recruitment strategies, talent sourcing programs and diversity recruitment. He has held Recruitment leadership positions at companies including Cisco, Symantec and United Health Group and is well-regarded as a strategic thinker in Recruitment/Staffing. He resides in Los Angeles, CA and is involved in charitable organizations including Habitat for Humanity.

How does WellPoint, the nation’s largest provider of health benefits, find employees?

We use multiple forms of advertising that includes direct outreach, career web sites, job boards, and we rely heavily on referrals from our employees. We also attend events, have a dynamic career site, and maintain a strong online social media presence.

What types of positions are you hiring for right now? Any subsidiaries of WellPoint that job seekers should also be on the lookout for – and might not know about?

While we have a wide range of positions available, everything from customer service representatives to licensed and certified health care professionals, we are actively recruiting for IT workers.  Changes in health care technology have created a demand for candidates with experience in the information technology industry.

Our subsidiaries include Anthem Blue Cross, Empire, and American Imaging Management.  You can find a full list of them here; our career site also includes jobs at subsidiaries.

What makes a great candidate beyond doing research on WellPoint? Does it help – for example – to have an interest in the healthcare industry?

Demonstrating an active interest in the healthcare industry is key.  There are simple ways to do so.  For example, participate in LinkedIn groups that focus on the health care industry and your field of focus within the industry, develop connections with people who are in the health care industry and engage them by asking for advice on getting your foot in the door and volunteer with non-profits that have a health care focus and be sure to list this on your resume.

Any “never do” tips for individuals for working with recruiters? What are your pet peeves?

The resume is perhaps one of the most important tools to getting the job because at times it is the first thing the employer sees.  Therefore, the objective line of the resume must be clear and contain focused language about what you as an employee can do for the company.  Often, we see statements focused on the personal goals rather than a career goal that benefits the employer. 

Hobbies and extraneous interests don’t belong on a resume.  Your resume is a professional reflection of you.  So, keep it professional.

Make sure you use the spell check tool and avoid being verbose.  A concise, focused skills and experience driven resume that includes what would make you a valuable employee will get you noticed.

If you are using social media, be very careful of what you post.  

Above all, do your research.  Don’t ever go into an interview without knowing important facts about the company.

What’s the one thing people don’t know about your company that you wish they knew?

We are focused on improving the lives of the people we serve and the health of our communities. As a health care company, having a healthy workforce is important. So, we provide fitness and wellness programs for our employees.  And we take that commitment to health into the communities we serve by providing support to non-profit agencies that focus on health and well-being.

Are there any questions I haven’t asked that I should be asking? What’s the question, and what’s your answer?

What do job seekers often overlook in the process?

Preparing to ask their potential employers questions about the job and the company.  It’s really important to think about those questions in advance. Asking questions shows an interest in the job, the company, and the industry.

Use it now—actionable—advice for job seekers:

Use social media to network and make professional connections. Build relationships with people who work in the industry you are interested in working. Once you build those relationships, ask for professional advice.  They can perhaps lead to referrals and references.

On average, one of out every 33 candidates is going to get hired from an online source—such as a job board or a career site. If you are referred, your odds go up to one  in four. Those are better odds. 

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