"Maria Garcia is an Account Manager at Accurate Personnel's Joliet, IL branch, where she's been helping connect her community with employment opportunities since September 2023. We interviewed Maria to learn more about her daily routine, proudest moments, and how she stays inspired. Maria’s insights highlight her dedication, creativity, and passion for teamwork. Whether she’s strategizing with her team, journaling her accomplishments, or supporting the veteran community, Maria’s approach to work is all about making a meaningful impact."
Name: Maria Garcia
Title / Branch: Account Manager / Joliet
Favorite Song: Mirrors by Justin Timberlake
Favorite TV Show: Friends
Favorite Movies: Lucy with Scarlett Johansson
Favorite Books: Becoming Superwoman by Nicole Lapin
Favorite Sport: Volleyball and soccer
Favorite Cuisine: Italian and Japanese
Favorite Vacation Spot: Smoky Mountains, Tennessee
A Day in the Life of Maria Garcia: Account Manager, Accurate Personnel Joliet
Maria Garcia is an Account Manager at Accurate Personnel's Joliet, IL branch, where she's been helping connect her community with employment opportunities since September 2023. We interviewed Maria to learn more about her daily routine, proudest moments, and how she stays inspired. Maria’s insights highlight her dedication, creativity, and passion for teamwork. Whether she’s strategizing with her team, journaling her accomplishments, or supporting the veteran community, Maria’s approach to work is all about making a meaningful impact:
Q: What's the first thing you do when you arrive at work in the morning?
Maria: I like to start my day by catching up on the emails from overnight while enjoying a warm cup of coffee. Since I manage some of the Joliet accounts and WCD Minooka, there’s always something happening. "There is never a dull day!" as we like to say in our team. (If you’re looking for a new holiday treat, I highly recommend trying an iced oat milk chai latte with sugar cookie syrup and sugar cookie cold foam—it's like a cozy horchata with a caffeine boost!)
After that, we have our morning meeting, where we review the job board and set priorities with the team, so we’re all aligned for a productive day ahead and create a game plan.
Q: Can you share a favorite work-related memory or achievement?
Maria: One of my proudest moments this year was participating in the Employee Development Council. Seeing the Accurate University course up and running on the platform was incredibly fulfilling. It was a cross-departmental effort, involving teams from both in and out of state, and the collaboration was nothing short of amazing. I feel honored to have been part of that achievement.
Q: Can you share a piece of advice that has helped you in your career?
Maria: "Closed mouths don’t get fed." This simple piece of advice has given me the confidence to speak up and share my ideas. By actively participating in projects, I’ve been able to expand my skill set and grow not only professionally but personally. It has taught me that your voice matters and being proactive can make a significant impact.
Q: What’s one thing you’ve learned from your role that you didn’t expect?
Maria: I didn’t anticipate how much I’d learn from interacting with so many different departments. Gaining insights from areas like payroll, sales, finance, safety, implementation and compliance, etc; has broadened my understanding of the business as a whole. It’s helped me see the bigger picture and has been invaluable in helping me prioritize tasks and perform my role more efficiently.
Q: What do you think is the most underrated aspect of your job?
Maria: "Teamwork makes the dream work." I truly believe this is the foundation of success. It’s not just about being a strong recruiter; it’s about working cohesively with the team. We’re all in this together, and our achievements are collective. The support and collaboration we share make all the difference. I’m grateful for the amazing Joliet team—Olga, Karina, Viviana, Lupe, Yesenia—and my onsite WCD Minooka team—Nailen, Yadira, Gabriela, Vera, Brandon, Marc, and Jose. And, of course, I couldn’t do it without the support from leadership—Megan, Raquel, Alondra, Sam, and Marcy, who are my biggest cheerleaders.
Q: What’s something new you’ve tried recently at work?
Maria: Recently, I’ve started journaling, and it’s been a game changer. At the end of a busy day, there’s something so satisfying about reflecting on what you’ve accomplished and crossing off tasks from your to-do list. It’s helped me stay organized and motivated.
Q: Are there any quirky or unique items on your desk that you'd like to tell us about?
Maria: I have a little macramé cactus on my desk that an associate made for me as a thank-you gift after I helped them get hired at the company. It’s a constant reminder of why I started my career in staffing—to make a positive impact in people’s lives.
Q: What’s your favorite way to recharge during a busy day?
Maria: At the Joliet branch, we love sharing food! Whether it's Sam's famous pozole, Olga’s mostaccioli, or Alondra's salmon or my chicken salad, I always look forward to those little bonding moments over lunch. It’s our way of recharging and getting the energy we need to power through the second half of the day.
Q: What’s a skill or hobby you have outside of work that surprises your colleagues?
Maria: I’m quite crafty! I love working on projects with my Cricut machine and surprising my friends and family with personalized gifts. I’m also a big fan of karaoke and dancing—it’s a fun way to unwind and let loose.
Q: How do you wind down after a long day at work?
Maria: I enjoy watching true-crime documentaries with a warm cup of tea. It’s the perfect way to relax and disconnect after a busy day.
Q: If you could swap jobs with anyone in the company for a day, who would it be and why?
Maria: That’s a tough one! There are so many people I admire in this company, and we all play essential roles in keeping things running smoothly. I truly believe we’re all part of a bigger picture, so it’s hard to pick just one person.
Q: Is there a particular project you’re excited about right now?
Maria: I’m really excited about our Veterans Program at Accurate. We have a Veterans job fair in Joliet on November 26th, and it’s been wonderful brainstorming new ideas to support and honor our veteran community in their job search. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all comes together!
Q: What’s your favorite work-related tradition or event that you look forward to?
Maria: One of my favorite traditions is participating in the HSP campaign during the holiday season. It’s always heartwarming to be part of Accurate’s mission to support those in need. The Joliet team always comes up with the most creative ways to raise funds, and it’s a joy to be involved in such a meaningful cause and as a team we always have a great time planning it.
