At Wisedocs, we’re building a stellar team, and we’re proud to introduce our team members across various departments through our Wisedocs’ Brain Power series. Recently, we introduced Amin Bavand, Software Developer. Today we’ll meet Anna Pilotti, one of our Human Resources (HR) Generalists at Wisedocs. As an HR Generalist, Anna handles daily HR functions, including recruitment, employee relations, compensation, compliance, and more. As Anna describes her role at Wisedocs, she’ll provide insight into what it takes to be part of the Wisedocs team.

Tell us about your career so far. How did you get to where you are today?

“I always wanted to help people, so I decided to get my undergraduate degree in Social Work at Toronto Metropolitan University. I was working as a youth employment specialist, focusing on providing pre-employment training and assisting participants in finding work. Part of my job as a youth employment specialist was going out into the community to connect with different employers and seeking job placement opportunities for participants. It was during that time that I started networking with a lot of different human resource professionals and realized that I had a big interest in employee development, recruiting, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I), and being a part of enhancing company culture.”

How did you end up in the tech and startup world, ultimately finding Wisedocs?

“I was lucky enough to be featured as a “Top Recruiter to Watch 2023” by FoundersBeta, and it just so happened that our awesome Director of People, Manal Abu-Shawar, was also included in that article. I read her portion of the article and saw that Wisedocs was looking to hire an HR Generalist and decided to do more research on the company. What stood out to me was learning how the company was founded and the why behind it all. Everything about Wisedocs aligned with my goals, and it seemed like a great fit. It also just so happened to be a startup!” 

What makes you excited about Wisedocs? What are the challenges?

“The team here is phenomenal, and it is one of the many reasons I love working at Wisedocs. The support that everyone gives one another truly shows how much we value collaboration and teamwork. This is my first time working at a startup, and I love how each day can look completely different than the next.”

Give us a day in the life of a Human Resources Generalist: what’s your 9-5?

“My day can’t start unless I have a big cup of coffee, followed by going through all my communication channels, whether it be email, slack, etc., to follow up with colleagues and candidates. I’ll then start to organize and prioritize my tasks for the day, making sure that time-sensitive tasks like interview scheduling or recruitment follow-ups are completed. I then conduct any interviews I have scheduled for the day and make sure any administrative tasks, like interview notes, are complete. I also work daily with different hiring managers to ensure we’re moving forward with qualified candidates – creating job postings, coordinating on different recruitment platforms, and ensuring a smooth, positive candidate experience throughout the whole process. 

Depending on the day, I could be facilitating onboarding/orientation sessions scheduled with new Wisedocs employees – making sure they have everything they need before they start their first day. I also have different meetings scheduled to discuss recruitment strategies and plans. I tend to receive different inquiries from employees, ranging from benefits to questions about different policies. We recently moved into a new office space, so I’ve been supporting anything required to make sure it is a great space for our team! I’m also involved in social and engagement event planning which gives us the opportunity to strengthen our bonds as one big team. Every day can look quite different for me, but that's one of the things I love about being an HR Generalist.” 

What’s an unexpected perk or challenge (or both) of being a Human Resources Generalist?

“Every day can look quite different as a Human Resource Generalist – you could be involved in recruitment and onboarding one day and employee relations another. The diversity of this role always keeps things interesting and ensures that there is constant learning and growth happening for me. I find it so rewarding to see how my daily work directly impacts employee satisfaction and overall organizational success here at Wisedocs. I love being able to build relationships across all the different departments and gaining insights into how the entire company operates.”

What part of Wisedocs are you most proud to have worked on?

“I’m proud to be part of creating a positive candidate experience here at Wisedocs. Being the first person that candidates usually meet in the recruitment process, I want to make sure they can see the amazing company culture that Wisedocs has reflected in me. I believe a strong candidate's experience sets the tone for future engagement. Candidates who feel valued from the beginning are more likely to choose and recommend an organization. This positive experience helps to strengthen our employer brand, making it easier to attract quality talent in the future.”

In a 2023 discretionary effort study by Great Place to Work®, they found that when each employee stands an equal chance at getting a gold star for their efforts, they are 2.2 times more likely to flex their discretionary muscles and go above and beyond their regular duties. On top of that, Forbes noted that 89% of workers at companies that support well-being initiatives are more likely to recommend their company as a positive place to work. Wisedocs is dedicated to fostering a positive environment and has been certified as a Great Place to Work® by Great Place to Work Institute® Canada. This recognition reflects the importance and strength of our core values, which include being purpose-driven, flexible, honest, and intelligent.

You play an integral part in hiring and onboarding initiatives at Wisedocs and building our stellar team. Why do you think team culture plays such an important role in an organization?

“Team culture plays such a huge role in organizations.  I believe it to be the foundation of a successful organization, especially here at Wisedocs. A strong team culture fosters an environment of trust, respect, and open communication, which is important to ensuring that everyone feels empowered to do their best work. It shapes how we interact with one another, how we approach challenges, and how we celebrate our successes. When a team shares the same values and vision, it can lead to higher employee engagement. People will be more likely to invest in a company that invests in them, and having a positive culture helps attract top talent who align with the company’s mission and values.”

Based on decades of employee engagement research, Gallup reports that engaged employees produce better business outcomes than other employees. Their leadership determines 70% of the variance in team engagement, so it’s important to hire the right people that drive team vision. Wisedocs focuses on building teams that innovate and drive both employee satisfaction and customer success.

The job market has been challenging lately. What advice would you offer to job seekers navigating these conditions?

“The current job market can be tough, but with the right mindset and proactive approach, job seekers can stand out and find opportunities. My key piece of advice would be to focus on adaptability – companies are looking for candidates who can pivot quickly and bring diverse skills to the team. Be open to exploring different industries or roles where your skills are transferable, even if they don’t perfectly match your past experiences. Networking can make all the difference because it helps build and nurture professional relationships - whether it be through LinkedIn, industry events, or reaching out to former colleagues. 

Lastly, continuous learning is vital. The workplace is rapidly changing, and employers value candidates committed to growth, whether that be through learning a new technical skill, taking online classes, or keeping up with industry trends.”

Anna’s experience reveals how a dynamic HR role doesn’t just shape a company’s talent pool. It also cultivates a workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute. She exemplifies Wisedoc’s commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive environment. We are always looking for talented individuals like Anna to join our growing team and make a positive impact on the claims ecosystem. Visit our careers page and explore our open roles!