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Meet my friend Carmen Hudson, the center of a pool table where the chips are staked high, the laughter infectious, and the shoes meticulous (Yes I said shoes, Carmen is a sharp dresser with a particular passion for shoes) . I have known Carmen over three years since we met at Sean Rehder's charity poker tourney at ERE, San Diego. I have had the pleasure of sitting next to her at a high level Yahoo Inc. talent strategy discussion and our exchanges poured concrete on my smile. I am one of Carmen's biggest fans and for all the right reasons - her shoes were meant for walking, on the road to a magnificent career in talent management.

Carmen Hudson is a Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition at Yahoo! Inc. She overseas Yahoo’s sourcing team. Prior, Carmen served as Manager, Global Strategic Sourcing at Starbucks Coffee Company where she was responsible for leading the team that develops strategic sourcing strategies for Starbuck's retail, non-retail and international business units. She has established herself at other marquee companies such as Microsoft and Amazon.

As an experienced full life-cycle recruiter, she has since progressed in her career in Recruiting management, metrics, industry trends with an expertise in sourcing strategy development. Most recently Carmen has been leading the strategic sourcing team at Yahoo. The team focuses on employer branding, event recruiting, employee referrals and other sourcing wizardry and shenanigans. Their "Think Big, Think Purple" campaign recently won a big award for the company. She is likewise active in her local industry contributions, having served most recently as VP, Programs Seattle EMA www.emaseattle.org.

Carmen is a busy person indeed. She is above all, however, and always will be .... a recruiter's recruiter.

Q& A with Carmen Hudson, Senior Manager, Talent Acquisition at Yahoo! Inc.

Six Degrees: Tell us of your home world.

CARMEN: Partner in Crime – William (many, many years). No kids or pets, but I have several pairs of shoes that I love like offspring.

I love music (I was once a house music dj) and literature (I am writing a novel). Early in my career I was a television news reporter (my degree is in journalism). I dream of entering the World Series of Poker.

Six Degrees: How many years as a recruiter?

CARMEN: More than 10 years.

Six Degrees: How did you get started as a recruiter?

CARMEN: My first job in recruiting was a researcher for the executive search firm Egon Zehnder International.

Six Degrees: What single event had the most impact on your sourcing/recruiting career?

CARMEN: The first time a new hire hugged me and told me how happy he was to be in his new position, and what it meant to his family, I realized the true impact and importance of what we do. We have an absolute obligation to do everything possible to match the right person with the right job. We can change lives for better or worse.

Six Degrees: Tell us about your current gig:

CARMEN: Currently, I manage the team responsible for hiring finance, legal, corporate communications and corporate development positions at Yahoo! We support all domestic regions and have been known to support global positions. My team is comprised of five excellent recruiters and three awesome support team members. I am fortunate to have a talented, world-class recruiting team. We are also supported by two fantastic sourcers, who report to a centralized team.


Six Degrees: Tell us about your experience on the speaking circuit :

CARMEN: Most recently:
• Chicago chapter of the Employment Management Association (candidate experience)
• Northwest Human Resource Management Association (Web 2.0 and recruiting)
• SHRM 2007 Staffing Management Conference & Exposition (candidate experience)

RECOMMENDATIONS

“Carmen is a remarkably connected recruiter with an eagle eye for talent. A singular networker with exceptional ability to communicate and follow through, she is pivotal in Microsoft's talent acquisition efforts.” September 2, 2004
Shally Steckerl, Founder, JobMachine Inc.

“Carmen is a well-respected HR professional who came to Starbucks with great experience. She was a Recruiting Manager for my client group and provided excellent consultation to me and the leaders we supported. We worked together to fill numerous positions and I highly recommend her. Carmen worked closely with her recruiter team to quickly grasped the job requirements and ideal candidate profile. Openings on my team were across functions/levels. She ensured her team screened and built a pipeline of candidates. Throughout the interview process Carmen provided support and expertise” February 28, 2008
Nance Myers, HR Manager, Starbucks Coffee Company

“Carmen is just one of those people you want to be around - smart, honest, fun, competent - and above all else, a fine Recruiter and Manager. It was my pleasure to work with her in Global Staffing at Starbucks...and has been my privilege to be a part of her network since then. Carmen is one of my go-to people, whether it's for advice, a referral, a fresh perspective, or to keep me sane. Gotta Love Carmen Hudson!” May 24, 2007
Meg Steele, Manager Staffing Operations, Starbucks Coffee Company

“A strategic thinker with an amazing ability to lead change in a positive and creative manner. Carmen is an absolute inspiration to be around. In an industry of so-called experts, she is one of the brightest and most talented.” January 4, 2006
John Umar, Senior Recruiter, Starbucks Coffee Company

“I have known Carmen for many years and she is outstanding! A hardworker and exceptional team player. It would be an honor to work with her again. - Cody” September 23, 2007
Cody Horton, SPHR, Talent Acquisition Manager, Dell Global Services

“Carmen Rocks!!! Working with Carmen is a breath of fresh air. She is honest, engaging, bright and full of life. She is an incredible asset to any recruiting organization.” September 20, 2005
Katy Connor, Recruiter, Microsoft

“I am amazed by Carmen's network connection. Each and every time I speak with a recruiter her name comes up as someone who is well connected in this industry. I have had the personal pleasure of being Carmen's AIRS instructor and since that time Carmen has continued to nuture our relationship. This valuable skill is why she is so well connected.” January 9, 2005
Otis Collier

“I reported to Carmen for about 2 years at Amazon.com. She was the very best Recruiting Manager I've had the pleasure of working with. Her sourcing and networking skills are excellent as well as her training ability. She is a great mentor; in fact she taught me everything I know about recruiting. Carmen is the best!” May 17, 2004
Jeanine Wallner, Technical Recruiter, Amazon.com