Meet Madison Chaialee, a talented recruiter at Resource Options’ Needham, Massachusetts office in the Consulting and Design Division. Madison’s journey into recruiting is as inspiring as it is unique. We talked about how ROI’s personal, welcoming approach stood out and made her feel at home and her passion for building relationships with candidates.  Let’s dive in!

What initially drew you to the recruiting field, and how did you get started ROI?

I initially went to school for physical therapy because I wanted to work with athletes, having played sports in high school and developed a passion for the field. However, once I entered the workforce, I felt stuck in my career and realized advancing would require going back to school for my PhD. During this time, I worked as a bartender and server in Boston, where I gained valuable experience in sales and customer service. Building connections with regulars, including Bruins and Celtics season ticket holders, helped me sharpen my communication and relationship-building skills.

Several friends in recruiting introduced me to the field, and I quickly saw how it aligned with my strengths and interests. I decided to pursue a career change and applied for several recruiting roles. When I interviewed with ROI, the experience stood out. Unlike other companies, they genuinely took the time to get to know me. The interview process felt natural, comfortable, and anxiety-free, which was refreshing. That authentic, personal connection made ROI the obvious choice for me.

How do you stay motivated and maintain a high level of performance in your role?

My biggest motivation in life is my parents; I want to make them proud. Both of my parents are immigrants who came to the U.S. from Thailand with nothing in their pockets. Despite that, they built amazing lives for themselves and my family. My mom became an accountant after graduating from college in Boston, and my dad attended Northeastern University and now works in the plumbers’ union. Their sacrifices allowed my sister and me to have the opportunities we have today, and I’m driven to show them that their hard work wasn’t in vain.

In my role, I also find motivation in building meaningful relationships with people. Everyone has a unique story, and I love learning about their backgrounds, it’s important to me that my interactions aren’t transactional, but are genuine and meaningful.

Additionally, ROI provides so much room for growth, and I’m inspired by the fact that they promote from within. The more I prove myself, the more opportunities I can create for my future. I see that as a personal challenge, and it keeps me striving for excellence every day.

What has been your proudest moment helping a candidate or client since joining ROI?

One of my proudest moments was helping a recent college graduate who had just moved to Boston from New York. He had applied to 15–20 jobs, some through recruiters and some on his own, but as someone new to the workforce, he was struggling to find opportunities. He had also had negative experiences with other recruiters, which left him skeptical about working with one again.

I made it a point to be completely transparent with him—no sugarcoating or false promises—and focused on building trust and a genuine relationship. Within a week, he received an offer for a role that perfectly suited his skills and goals. After starting the job, I visited him and brought donuts for him and his leadership team. During that visit, his managers couldn’t stop raving about how well he was doing.

It felt amazing to know I had not only helped him find a great fit but also changed his perception of recruiters in the process. Seeing both the candidate thrive in his role and the client fill their need with a quality hire made it all the more rewarding. Moments like these remind me why I love what I do.

What makes ROI different than other staffing firms? For candidates/clients?

At ROI, we don’t see ourselves as just another staffing firm. Our focus isn’t solely on sales or transactional conversations, we’re committed to building genuine, lasting relationships. For us, it’s not about simply sending out resumes and hoping for a match. We work closely with our candidates as a team, taking the time to understand their unique backstory, why they’re searching for a new opportunity, and what their long-term goals are.

What truly sets us apart is the people who work here, a genuine group who are deeply invested in helping both candidates and clients succeed. We do not just fill positions; we create meaningful connections and provide for everyone’s needs. That personalized approach is what makes ROI stand out.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

During my first week at ROI, Jenn Pappas, Division Manager, shared advice that has stuck with me: “Build relationships first, and recruit second.” This mindset completely shaped my approach to recruiting. It emphasized the importance of building trust with my candidates, which I strive to achieve by always being honest and transparent.

I remind myself of this motto every day, it’s not just about filling roles; it’s about creating genuine partnerships with people. This advice continues to motivate me to prioritize meaningful connections, which is the foundation of everything I do in my career.

Name 5 fun/interesting things about you!

• Adventurer at Heart: In college, my friends and I spontaneously drove from the University of Maine to the Hawaiian Chick-fil-A in Georgia…at 1 AM.
• Foodie (with one exception): I’ll try just about anything, except chocolate.
• Proud Pet Mom: Dog and cat mom to Amigo and Crew, who keep life entertaining.
• Explorer: Spent an unforgettable summer in Thailand with my mom, discovering her roots. I visited family I’d only ever seen on FaceTime, hung out with elephants and tigers, and even ziplined through the tallest mountains.
• Reality TV Enthusiast: Avid watcher of the entire Love Island franchise, it’s my guilty pleasure.

Looking for opportunities in Consulting and Design? Connect with Madison Chaialee!

About Resource Options Inc.

(ROI) is a full-service construction, design, environmental services staffing, and emergency response firm. We provide customized staffing solutions to clients servicing the built and natural environment. Recognized on five different occasions by Inc. Magazine as one of “America’s Fastest-Growing Private Companies”, ROI was founded in 1998 by a group of experienced industry professionals. Our proven ability to deliver highly qualified candidates in a timely fashion has earned us the reputation as a true and lasting business partner with both clients and candidates. www.resourceoptions.com.