In this position, Vompa helps lead the hiring process by working with managers to identify and fill staffing needs. However, her role goes beyond traditional recruiting, involving a longer-term approach that focuses on building talent pipelines.
“I work with very specific lines of businesses, so I do a lot of project and program managers, process engineering, and procurement,” she explained. “Sometimes someone isn’t quite the right fit for the role, but they might be perfect for another one. In those cases, we keep them in mind for future opportunities.”
This approach also ties into broader workforce planning. “There’s a bit of succession planning and retention strategy,” she said. “We want to make sure we’re also promoting internally, looking at the current team and who we can develop. The goal is to fill the role with someone who is really the best match with the skills and experience we’re looking for.”
One of Vompa’s favourite parts of the job is the social aspect. “The majority of my day is spent talking to people, which is really fun,” she said. “A little over half of it is spent in meetings and talking to hiring managers to figure out what exactly they're looking for, whether it's filling a new role or replacing someone.”
The other half of the day is spent interviewing candidates. “I handle the HR screening, asking compliance and probing questions based on the role and the skills we're looking for,” she said. Vompa spends the remaining time completing administrative tasks, such as sending notes, ranking candidates, reviewing resumes, and posting or closing job listings.
Vompa landed in this career after completing her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Toronto, where she studied sociology, women and gender studies, and human geography. During her studies, she discovered that her background could translate well into a career in human resources (HR).
“I’d heard good things about people being able to move up within the company and eventually find their place in the areas they’re most interested in. Sometimes it's just about getting your foot in the door, starting to learn, and beginning your journey.”
(Natalie Vompa)
That realization led her to secure a front-line role at CIBC, partly because large organizations often have opportunities for growth. While working, she completed a post-graduate certificate in HR at the University of Toronto. From there, she continued moving up within the company before eventually securing her current role.
For those interested in entering the field, Vompa recommends first exploring the many different areas within HR. “HR is such a broad field with many niches,” she said. “If math and numbers are your thing, payroll is a great place to land. If you enjoy chatting with people, talent acquisition or recruitment might be the right fit. And if you have a legal background, there are roles in the legal side of HR as well.”
Vompa also emphasized the importance of gaining experience in an organization where internal growth is possible. “That’s part of the reason why I wanted to work at a bank,” she said. “I’d heard good things about people being able to move up within the company and eventually find their place in the areas they’re most interested in. Sometimes it's just about getting your foot in the door, starting to learn, and beginning your journey.”
Outside of her work life, Vompa continues her involvement in the Toronto-Estonian community as a member of Korp! Amicitia and TERR Kungla. “A lot of my friends are people that I met early on at Jõekääru summer camp and Eesti Kool (Estonian School), so I still hang out with them as well,” she said. “It’s been really nice to have that sense of community doing something that brings me to Tartu College every week and that keeps the language and connections alive.”
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You can watch Natalie’s episode of Community Unwrapped, available on our website soon!
Quotes have been edited for clarity and length.
This article was written by Natalie Jenkins as part of the Local Journalism Initiative.
