26 Acquisition International - Influential Businesswoman Awards 2023 May23601 Most Influential HR Businesswoman 2023 (Latin America): Melissa Concepcion Based in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Smart Option Search (SOS) Trabajo is an international Human Resources (HR) consulting firm with more than 23 years’ experience in the market. Specialising in recruiting, the company aims to connect suited employers and candidates, supporting HR departments to make teams and companies more productive and better matched. Here, we speak to Melissa Concepción, President and CEO, about her company and career. Since its inception, SOS Trabajo has been pairing the right companies with the right individuals. Through this, it has undoubtedly played a part in the success of many businesses, including both multinational and boutique organisations. When a well-suited candidate fills a position, businesses can focus their energy and attention on achieving their goals, supported by the necessary talent. SOS Trabajo offers a range of services such as recruiting personnel, marketing analysis, training development, interviews development, outplacement, start-ups, outsourcing, background checks, and relocation. The consultancy has offices in five countries, including Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Dominican Republic, and Panama. In total, it offers its services to clients in more than 15 countries. In 2000, Melissa founded SOS Trabajo in Puerto Rico at the age of 21 years old. She knew that, in order for her business to succeed, she would have to position HR as an ally to both companies and candidates. She began to leverage Puerto Rico’s media, TV, and radio to educate and inform the public in order to allow HR to break away from stereotypes. Through this, she has shaped not only her career and her company, but also the field of HR in her region. At the time, Melissa became a local media personality and spokesperson for industry best practices in both recruitment and HR. This was a defining time in Melissa’s journey to success. Her business was able to truly thrive, and she became a driving force in the transformation of HR into an ally in Puerto Rico. “My passion for unleashing the true potential of Human Resources in companies was truly a game changer across industries,” comments Melissa. “Leveraging Puerto Rico’s media for an increased audience, I educated, informed and broke paradigms of the true nature of this department.” Melissa is blessed with three key attributes, which have contributed towards her success. Firstly, she is a visionary, having defined her company’s masterplan 23 years ago and taken the necessary steps to make them happen. Secondly, Melissa is passionate about the work she does and believes in filling roles with the right person. She does not see recruitment as just a task to be completed. Instead, she understands the importance of making an accurate match for both individuals and companies. Lastly, Melissa is both loyal and fair, two traits which have defined her interactions with clients and colleagues throughout her career. She has formed relationships with clients that have lasted decades and allowed SOS Trabajo to flourish. However, the journey to success has not always been smooth sailing for Melissa. She has continued to work and pursue the company’s goals despite the various challenges she has faced over the years, including moving countries, surviving cancer twice, and keeping the business operational during the pandemic. Melissa’s advice to anyone facing challenges in their career is the same she has followed, “You can do it. Keep going. Believe in yourself, you are capable, you can handle it and you will shine. Success is not a straight path; success is in the everyday decisions and the first and biggest battlefield lies in your mind. Believe in yourself, study, work hard and everything else will fall into place.” Melissa is incredibly proud of the fact that, thanks to her strength and determination, she has made it through these challenging times and experienced boundless success. “My greatest achievement is not one only big milestone but lies in knowing that the company I founded has been part of the success of so many multinational and boutique corporations and so many families, men and women,” she shares. “Pairing companies and people for the best fit and being part of it is truly something I am proud of.” As a woman in the corporate world, Melissa has noticed that, whilst opportunities for women in the workplace have increased, there is still a long way to go when it comes to changing attitudes. She states, “Glass ceilings have been shattered, women CEOs are a reality, and yet 9 out of 10 people hold prejudice towards women (according to a recent United Nations study), and there are many more men CEOs than there are women.” In light of this, Melissa believes that there are many more ceilings to shatter. Workloads are yet to be evenly distributed and salaries are yet to be equal for men and women who hold the same position within a company.
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