Not everyone’s career path is a straight line, and Danielle Harvey-Wilson is living proof of that. Now working in Talent Acquisition, Danielle helps students and early-career professionals discover where they fit in the world of work. But her own journey to this role was anything but conventional.
Danielle began by studying Anthropology and Chinese Studies, later working in museums and even serving as a union representative. It was that experience of helping colleagues navigate workplace challenges that sparked her interest in human resources. Eventually, she made the bold decision to move to Winnipeg, enroll in a career-focused program, and start over. This time, helping others find meaningful work.
Today, Danielle spends her days building connections, recruiting young professionals, and designing inclusive hiring strategies. She’s passionate about giving newcomers and students the confidence to apply for opportunities that match their potential, not just their experience.
“It’s about opening doors,” Danielle says. “There’s no one right way to build a career and no perfect background required to succeed.”
What Is Talent Sourcing?
Many people think of recruitment as posting a job online and waiting for applications. Danielle takes a different approach.
“Talent sourcing means connecting with candidates before the job is even posted,” she explains. “We go out to networking events, career fairs, and community meetups so that when opportunities open up, we already have a pool of great candidates ready.”
From Anthropology to HR
Danielle believes her background in anthropology helps her every day.
“Anthropology is the study of humans. Their cultures, behaviours, and how they interact,” she says. “That’s exactly what happens in the workplace. Understanding culture helps you understand people.”
Advice for Young Job Seekers
For students and early-career professionals, Danielle’s biggest piece of advice is simple: learn your limits and take care of yourself.
“In people-focused jobs, burnout can happen easily. You can’t pour from an empty cup,” she says. “Know what recharges you and make time for it.”
She also values curiosity and growth.
“I look for people who are hungry to learn, those who say, ‘This will be a challenge, but I’m going to do it anyway.’”
Networking and Volunteering
Danielle emphasizes that building a network can be just as important as building a résumé.
“Volunteer, join school clubs, attend community events. You never know who might recommend you for a role later,” she says. “A coffee chat isn’t about asking for a job, it’s about building a relationship.”
Interview Confidence
Even Danielle admits interviews make her nervous, and that’s okay.
“Everyone gets nervous, even people at the top,” she says. Her best strategy? Preparation. She recommends saving the job posting, reviewing its qualifications, and practicing behavioural questions using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
“Some of the most impressive candidates bring notes to the interview. It shows they’ve done their homework.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
What is the most frequent mistake Danielle sees? Sending the same résumé to every job.
“It’s better to apply to ten jobs with tailored résumés than a hundred with a generic one,” she says.
Balancing Work, School, and Life
Like many young professionals, Danielle admits balance is still a work in progress.
“It comes down to prioritization,” she says. “Ask yourself what really needs your attention now and what can wait.”
Her approach is both realistic and compassionate, a mix that makes her advice relatable to anyone just starting their journey.
“There’s no perfect formula for success,” Danielle says. “Just stay curious, show up, and be open to change.”
– Yuliia Kovalenko, U Multicultural
