SARAH MCDERMOTT
Evanston,IL
Summary
Strategic and relationship-driven Talent Acquisition Partner with a strong background in recruitment, stakeholder engagement, and talent strategy. Adept at sourcing and attracting top-tier candidates, fostering inclusive hiring practices, and developing strong partnerships with hiring managers to drive organizational success. Passionate about building pipelines of high-quality talent and enhancing the candidate experience within academic and corporate environments.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
Work History
Religion Teacher & Mentor
St. Athanasius School
Evanston, IL
03.2023 - Current
- Designed and implemented lesson plans aligned with state and national standards
- Engaged students through interactive learning techniques and technology integration
- Assessed student progress through tests, projects, and performance evaluations
- Provided individualized support to students with diverse learning needs
- Maintained classroom discipline and created a positive learning environment
- Collaborated with colleagues, parents, and administrators to enhance student achievement
- Organized extracurricular activities, field trips, or school events to promote holistic development
Community Engagement & Alumni Coordinator
St. Athanasius School
Evanston, IL
01.2022 - 12.2023
- Led strategic outreach initiatives to enhance alumni and community engagement, fostering long-term relationships
- Partnered with stakeholders to develop and execute fundraising and sponsorship initiatives, securing key resources
- Managed events, networking programs, and recruitment efforts to strengthen institutional connections
Founder & Business Owner
Seriously Slime
Evanston, IL
01.2019 - 01.2022
- Built a successful business through strategic marketing, recruitment, and team leadership
- Hired, managed and trained a 10-person sales team, overseeing hiring, onboarding, and performance development
- Led sales and brand growth initiatives, appearing on ABC’s Shark Tank (April 2020)
Recruiting Consultant
Livly
Chicago, IL
09.2018 - 05.2019
- Led full-cycle recruitment efforts, sourcing, screening, and engaging top talent for corporate hiring needs
- Conducted strategic outreach and cold sourcing, leveraging LinkedIn Recruiter, ATS, and CRM tools
- Partnered with hiring managers to understand talent needs, ensuring alignment with company objectives
- Managed candidate pipelines, ensuring smooth communication and a positive hiring experience
Recruiter / Talent Acquisition
Michael Page Global Recruiting
Chicago, IL
05.2007 - 05.2008
- Managed full-cycle recruitment for various industries, including sourcing, screening, and interviewing candidates
- Developed strong relationships with clients to understand hiring needs and provide tailored recruitment solutions
- Utilized LinkedIn, job boards, and networking strategies to attract top talent
- Negotiated salary offers and managed the hiring process from interview to onboarding
- Consistently met or exceeded recruitment targets, contributing to business growth
- Advised clients on market trends, salary benchmarks, and talent availability
- Maintained and updated the applicant tracking system (ATS) to ensure seamless hiring processes
Inside Sales Executive
RightFish / CareerBuilder
Chicago, IL
01.2006 - 05.2007
- Prospected and qualified leads through cold calling, email outreach, and CRM tools
- Managed the full sales cycle, from initial contact to closing deals and post-sale follow-up
- Built strong relationships with potential and existing clients to identify their needs and offer tailored solutions
- Consistently exceeded monthly and quarterly sales targets
- Utilized CRM software to track leads, manage the sales pipeline, and report on key performance metrics
- Handled objections and negotiations to drive successful conversions
- Collaborated with marketing and account management teams to enhance customer experience and retention
Education
Master of Arts - Religious Education
Loyola University New Orleans
01.2026
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Philosophy
Marquette University
Milwaukee, WI05.2001
Skills
- Full-Cycle Recruiting & Talent Acquisition
- Stakeholder Engagement & Hiring Strategy
- Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) in Hiring
- Candidate Sourcing & Pipeline Development
- Higher Education & Corporate Recruitment
- CRM & Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
- Data-Driven Decision Making
- Employer Branding & University Relations
Affiliations And Community Leadership
- Board Member, Bandwith Chicago, 2019-01-01, Present
- Member, Women’s Board of Boys Hope Girls Hope, 2021-01-01, Present
- Volunteer, Children’s Memorial Hospital Chicago, 2005-01-01, 2010-12-31
- Volunteer, Three Crowns Park Evanston, 2018-01-01, 2020-12-31
Timeline
Religion Teacher & Mentor
St. Athanasius School
03.2023 - Current
Community Engagement & Alumni Coordinator
St. Athanasius School
01.2022 - 12.2023
Founder & Business Owner
Seriously Slime
01.2019 - 01.2022
Recruiting Consultant
Livly
09.2018 - 05.2019
Recruiter / Talent Acquisition
Michael Page Global Recruiting
05.2007 - 05.2008
Inside Sales Executive
RightFish / CareerBuilder
01.2006 - 05.2007
Master of Arts - Religious Education
Loyola University New Orleans
Bachelor of Arts - Communications, Philosophy
Marquette University