Melissa Grabiner

Senior Talent Acquisition Partner

Hi there - thanks for stopping by. 😊

👋 Follow me for daily tips on Job search advice, HR & Talent Acquisition wisdom, productivity tips and heartfelt inspiration.

✍️ 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀: I collaborate with B2C and B2B brands on sponsored LinkedIn posts and videos, webinars, and speaking engagements, highlighting products and services that deliver meaningful value to both the brand and my audience.

⭐️ 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘆 & 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: I serve as a trusted advisor to early-stage companies and partner with organizations to help optimize their Talent Acquisition strategies.

You can reach me at melissa@grabiner.us

🚀 𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 𝗰𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘁: 𝗵𝘁𝘁𝗽𝘀://𝘁𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲.𝗶𝗼/𝗺𝗲𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿

Top-Rated Resume Writer, Job Search Coach & LinkedIn Branding Expert — Helping 700+ Job Seekers Land Their Next Opportunity!

Whether you're struggling to get interviews, making a pivot, or trying to bounce back after a layoff, I offer straightforward help that actually get results. 

My offerings and how I will help you win: 

🔸 Resume rewrites that showcase your true value
🔸 LinkedIn profile makeovers to attract recruiters
🔸 Interview coaching & salary negotiation tips
🔸 Personalized job search strategy & mentorship

𝗔𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗺𝗲:

I am an Entrepreneur, Content Creator and HR and Talent Acquisition professional with over 2 decades of experience. On LinkedIn, I am considered one of the biggest thought leaders having over 480,000 followers. 

I am Ranked #2 Female LinkedIn Creator Worldwide and Ranked #1 HR LinkedIn Creator in the USA.

In the past year, my posts have amassed 2.1 million engagements and over 194 million impressions. I have been a guest on over 60 podcasts and host various LinkedIn Live Events.

I have been interviewed by The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Market Watch, Fast Company, Indeed Business and was featured three times on the Times Square Billboard in New York City.

I am also a multiple award-winning Global Senior Leader with extensive multi-industry experience in HR and Talent Acquisition.

> Built and led a strategic Talent Acquisition function for one of the world’s largest companies.

> Eighteen years of experience managing 35+ direct reports with zero attrition.

> Oversaw hiring activity for more than 25,000 employees throughout my career.

> Proficient in full life cycle recruiting across multiple levels, functions, and industries.

> Specialize in designing and implementing talent solutions and strategies for organizations of all sizes.

Senior Talent Acquisition Leader

A few months ago, I interviewed a candidate who bombed the interview.
 
It would have been easy to reject her, but I went with my gut and gave her a chance.
 
And she’s killing it. ❤️ 
 
Some of the strongest hires:
 
💡Think deeply before they speak
💡Aren’t great at “selling themselves”
💡Get nervous when everything is on the line
💡Ask thoughtful questions instead of rushing answers
 
The interview didn’t reflect the employee she became.
 It reflected an amazing human being under pressure.
 
A reminder to hiring teams:
 
Don’t be too quick to dismiss someone who doesn’t interview flawlessly.
Sometimes the best hires don’t “kill” the interview.
 
Instead, they shine when leaders look beyond the moment and hire for potential, not polish.
 
 🍀 Please share to promote giving people a chance.

New week.
New month.
New possibilities.

If you’re navigating a transition or waiting on your next step, this is your reminder: 

Keep going. 

What’s meant for you may be closer than you think. 🩵

P.S. Need help? As a Top-Rated Resume Writer, I have helped over 700 job seekers. Numerous client testimonials are on my website and LinkedIn page. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/gqPK5hau

My prior boss is one of the kindest people I know. 

When she left the company, I cried like a baby.

She didn’t just manage my performance. 
She significantly changed my life. 

Years later, I still carry the lessons she modeled:

💡 Choose kindness 
💡 Protect your team
💡 Lead with empathy
💡 Give credit generously
💡 Care about your employees
💡 Praise in public, coach in private
💡 Support without micromanaging
💡 Celebrate progress, not just perfection

Be the leader people cry about when you leave.

Not because they’re afraid of what’s next, but because you made an impact that lasts. ❤️ 

🍀 Please share to promote kindness in the workplace.
🙏 Follow me for more like this.

Being unemployed is not a red flag.

It’s simply the reality of today’s job market.

I’ve hired countless people who were between jobs and they’ve been phenomenal.

Some of the best talent is still on the market and not because they aren’t amazing, but because they’re stuck in a system that’s broken.

A system where:

💡 Companies are looking for perfection
💡 Fake jobs are appearing left and right
💡 Age bias quietly shapes decisions no one admits to
💡 Roles are being "reposted" even after the hire is chosen
💡 Interviews feel like interrogations instead of conversations
💡 Candidates are ghosted after multiple rounds of interviews
💡 Hiring processes that take weeks if not months to complete
💡 People are judged on career gaps instead of career capability
💡 Candidates are completing lengthy assignments without being paid

After all, the right hire isn’t always the one who’s currently employed.

It’s the one who’s ready to show up and make an incredible impact. 🩵 

🍀 Please share to promote giving people a chance.

We need to stop treating resume gaps like red flags.

Penalizing people for gaps is outdated and incredibly unfair.

I recently hired someone with 9-month gap and she's killing it! 

It doesn’t mean one lacks skill.
It doesn’t mean one lacks ambition.
It doesn’t mean one lacks commitment.

Sometimes it means they survived something.
Sometimes it means they prioritized what mattered.
Sometimes it means they had the courage to reset.

If someone is ready, capable, and qualified that’s what should matter.

Let’s normalize career gaps.

Starting today.

🙏 Please share to help normalize gaps.

Hiring isn’t just a process.

It shapes people’s careers, incomes, and futures.

And when hiring is done poorly, the impact lasts longer than we think.

If we want better talent outcomes, we need better hiring practices.

⛔ Requiring unpaid projects
 ↳ No one should work for free.

⛔ Posting roles that aren’t truly open
 ↳ It wastes time and erodes credibility.

⛔ Providing little to no feedback
 ↳ Even brief clarity shows respect.

⛔ Ghosting candidates
 ↳ There is never an excuse. Candidates deserve closure. 

⛔ Dragging out the hiring process
 ↳ Long timelines signal misalignment and cost you top candidates. 

⛔ Putting candidates through interview marathons
 ↳ Multiple stages are unnecessary and create fatigue.

⛔ Hiding salary details
 ↳ Transparency saves time for everyone and builds trust early.

⛔ Running an overly rigid or impersonal process
 ↳ Candidates want to feel seen and not processed.

Want to attract top talent?

Start by treating candidates like they matter.

🍀 Share if you believe hiring can be better.
 💙 Give me a follow for more.

I’m thrilled and honored to be featured in Inc. Magazine 😀

A big thank you to Brian Honigman for the thoughtful conversation and capturing my perspective so well.

In the article, I share insights on building trust which is something I’ve seen firsthand after helping more than 700 job seekers.

I’m incredibly grateful to every client who has trusted me to be part of their journey.

Open article: 4 Ways to Attract More Clients as a Solopreneur by inc.com

4 Ways to Attract More Clients as a Solopreneur

Energizer Holdings

Energizer Holdings responsibly creates products to make lives easier and more enjoyable. To do this, we lean into our culture as an organization – we win together, while serving each other, with a willingness to act boldly, all while doing right.

As a BDE I am responsible for Independent Grocery (IGA) Qld State based MSO Groups, Woolworths, Big W and Bunnings as well as Electrical Wholesalers.

Business Development Executive

Kenvue

Working within the Consumer Health division I am responsible for supporting Independent Retailers (IGA & Foodworks) by providing value and support to the consumers that choose our brands. It is incumbent on me to maintain the highest standards possible and uphold my commitment to the organisation that supports me to perform at my natural best.

Responsibilities include:
- Management of 4 Key Qld State based Multi-Site Operator Groups (M.S.O.'s).
- Implementation of State specific growth initiatives and monthly promotions.
- Execution of National promotions program inline with organizational expectations. 
- New product development initiatives.
- Health & Beauty Category efficiency assessments and execution.
- Managing state based promotions budget.

Territory Sales Manager, Independent Grocery

Working with State Key Accounts to build value within the Qld Pharmacy channel, I am responsible for an estimated $18 mil annual trade sales including a $1.2 mil promotional budget. Working closely with account buyers and category managers I grow my accounts to achieve a profitable outcome by managing category reviews, promotional plans and the day to day account queries as well as working closely with supply chain and operations to align business expectations.

Accounts include,
- Good Price Pharmacy 
- Pharmacy 4 Less
- Chempro / Chemist Outlet
- National Pharmacy 
- Ramsay Pharmacy

Key Account Manager, Pharmacy (9 Month Maternity Secondment)

Working within the Consumer Health division I am responsible for supporting Independent Retailers (IGA & Foodworks) by providing value and support to the consumers that choose our brands. It is incumbent on me to maintain the highest standards possible and uphold my commitment to the organisation that supports me to perform at my natural best.

Responsibilities include:
- Management of 4 Key Qld State based  Multi-Site Operator Groups (M.S.O.'s).
- Implementation of State specific growth initiatives and monthly promotions.
- Execution of National promotions program inline with organizational expectations. 
- New product development initiatives.
- Health & Beauty Category efficiency assessments and execution.
- Managing state based promotions budget.
- Assist with onboarding of new hires.

Achievements include:
- Achieved highest overall annual territory growth of 10% for 2022.
- Achieved an average of 20% overall growth across 4 key QLD MSO groups.
- Built highly effective MSO presentations that we’re shared with inter-state partners. 
- Assisted with preparation and delivery of national cycle presentations.
- Built an effective deal calculator model to assess ROI and deliver key focus brand deals with QLD MSO groups.

Territory Sales Manager, Independent Grocery 

Johnson & Johnson

Territory Sales Manager, Consumer Health, Independent Grocery

TCC Distributors

TCC Distributors provides a dedicated team of sales professionals, to facilitate in-store activities on behalf of our major client, Procter & Gamble, in IGA and Foodworks.

Responsibilities include, 
- Business development through the continued assessment of agreed POG's and core product ranging.
- Promotional activity implementation relevant to key MSO groups and compliance to Metcash activity.
- Compliance to agreed trading terms and issue resolution with regard to non-compliance.
- Effective territory management including regular outlet assessment to agreed ROI requirements.
- Display negotiation, implementation and follow-up to ensure effective use of agreed budgets.
- Product management and position compliance to flow and POG minimum agreed guidelines.

Achievements:
- $350k GIV increase from Dec 2019 - May 2020
- Improved ranging in 123 outlets by an average of 131 SKU's.
- Achieved new product distribution in 54 outlets by 582 SKU's.
- Greater than 100% to target achieved for 3 core KPI's.
- Increased case orders by an average of 1000 per month.
- Award nomination, Oral B segment analysis tool.

Business Development Manager (P&G IGA Dedicated Team)

Creative Activation

Creative Activation provides a dedicated team of sales professionals to facilitate in store activities on behalf of our major client, Procter & Gamble, in major retail chains including Woolworths, Coles & Priceline.

Responsibilities include,
- Negotiation of additional shelf space.
- Promotional activity implementation.
- Compliance reporting on national promotional activity and issue resolution to noncompliance.
- Territory management.
- Display compliance and additional display negotiation. 
- Product management and position compliance.
- Out of stock compliance reporting and resolution.

Sales Executive (P&G Corporate Dedicated Team)

Griffith University

To just be a manager is not enough. As industry professionals we all have a responsibility to nurture the next generation of leaders. Coaching and mentoring provides a vital link between experience and knowledge. People say there is no substitute for experience, but what is experience without the foresight of knowledge. Completing academic study to achieved my MBA qualification is my responsibility for the next generation. Graduated July 2019. Griffith University, MBA for Life. 

Subjects completed, 
- Corporate strategy and innovation.
- Business Law.
- Corporate Finance.
- Brand Strategy and Management. 
- Advanced Consumer Behavior.
- Economics.
- Integrated Marketing Communications. 
- Management Change Through Responsible Leadership.
- Accounting and Reporting.
- People Management.
- Marketing.
- Sustainability and Systems Thinking.

Selected as volunteer Mentor for trimester 2 and trimester 3.

MBA Student , Griffith Business School 

Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation

BEING PART OF COMMONWEALTH GAMES HISTORY
Games Shaper at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games means being part of something bigger. Staff, volunteers and contractors came together as a diverse and united team to shape the best event in Games history.

Games Shapers showed the world how proud, vibrant, committed and friendly the Gold Coast and Queensland community is. We shape an unforgettable experience for everyone, from athletes and officials to fans from around the Commonwealth. 

Responsibilities include,
- Ticketing.
- Venue safety.
- Spectator services.
- Squash venue spectator management. 
- Table Tennis venue spectator management. 
- Games Family and VIP assistance.
- Team member collaboration.

Spectator Services TM

Groupe FILA France

Canson Australia , purchased by The Fila Group Italy, has been a supplier to the Australian art industry for over 20 years and occupied positions in the education; creative leisure and photographic fields. 

Responsibilities include,
- 80% improvement in business development through rebuilding the Queensland market.
- Decreased non-trading and inactive accounts by 60% through leveraging customer relationships.
- Increased the customer base by 40 new accounts by seeking new opportunities within retail.
- Plan, develop and execute strategic sales initiatives specific to the Queensland business focus.
- Review product margins and brand positioning in conjunction with the national strategic plans.
- Manage operational budgets in line with the state P&L expectations.
- Facilitating workshops as part of the companies back selling strategy to introduce new products.
- Attended regular industry events and trade shows to promote brand portfolios.

Regional Sales Manager

GNS Wholesale Stationers

GNS creates business efficiencies and cost reduction strategies for stationery retailers, resellers and independent suppliers by combining superior supply-chain solutions with our national warehouse network. 

Responsibilities include,
- Increased profitability by 15-20% by developing an Outlet Analysis tool for retailer performance.
- A 60% improvement in customer engagement by implementing a customer record card.
- Part of the QLD team selling 70% of the nations Parker Pen X-Mass deals sales executive initiative.
- 95% YTD budget, highest performing Business Development Manager for 2015-2016 FY.

Business Development Manager

The FMCG industry has experienced substantial restructure in the past few years. Having been involved with sales and marketing for over 25 years I have taken the opportunity, post redundancy, to focus on academic study. My decision is designed to complement my experience and develop new skills in the field of business management. What I plan to achieve through this journey is a more comprehensive understanding of business operations, business management and future operational sustainability.

It is my intention to re-enter the sales and marketing arena a wiser and more effective individual. I will take the knowledge gained through academia and use it as a positive influence towards development of "better business practice" and authentic leadership. Completed, Graduate Certificate in Business Administration, Articulating into the MBA program 2015

Career / Study Break

Highly skilled sales professional, MBA Graduate and Chartered Manager with a passion for leadership. Working with new hires and existing team members I lead from within to create an environment of perpetual learning. People leadership is my passion involving direct or indirect reports and I am dedicated to finding workable solutions that add value to my B2B customers and return on investment for my organisation. My mission is to become an influential people leader within my industry, to teach what I know about the art of selling and build a clear understanding of the importance of sustainable leadership within the emerging generation. 

As a Chartered Manager (CMgr) I am held accountable to the CMI code of conduct that ensures ethical leadership is a key focus within my leadership space. My commitment to a Continued Professional Development plan ensures my leadership capability remains fresh and relevant so I can offer maximum value to organisations that recognise the importance of authentic leadership.  

I am passionate about finding the right balance between value for my customers, sustainable growth for my organisation and the best offer for my consumers. Well versed and with sound commercial acumen, I build on my experience to add value to the people I am involved with, the team I am accountable too and the customers I am responsible for.

MY WHY - I inspire others to make a difference, to bring people together and help build a stronger future for ethical and sustainable leadership. What I offer is authentically, personal accountability and trusted leadership.

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Gareth Sipple-Asher, MBA CMgr

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The Battle

Melissa Grabiner

Gareth Sipple-Asher, MBA CMgr

Followers

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Engagements

Likes

Performance Score.css-goub6s{font-size:var(--chakra-fontSizes-md);font-weight:500;color:var(--chakra-colors-gray-600);display:block;margin-top:var(--chakra-space-1);}Melissa Grabiner's LinkedIn Performance

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