Human on the Inside with SEEK's Tonya Willoughby
Maxme: We’re big believers in the power of human skills. But don’t just take our word for it - the evidence for excellence powered by human (‘soft’) skills are everywhere! In this engaging, ever-enlightening series, we speak with industry leaders, innovators, and game-changers to learn a little about their personal career journeys, and how human-led strategies, philosophies, and cultures are proving a force for good in their working worlds …
Welcome Tonya, and thanks for stepping into the #SuccessIsHuman Spotlight!
You’re the Head of Commercial & Partner Management at SEEK Learning - SEEK’s comprehensive online directory of accredited courses, student reviews, and job insights.
In 1 sentence (ok, we’ll give you 3), what does your role entail?
Tonya Willoughby: Connecting education providers and organisations to SEEK and SEEK learning sites through products and services we offer in learning and careers.
M: While you’ve been with SEEK for over 3 years now, your vast and impressive career spans over 20 years in marketing, commercial partnerships, operations, and education/learning, with tenures at leading organisations like Telstra, Regent’s University London, Kaplan, RMIT University, Hobsons APAC, CareerOne and Pearson.
How does all this work speak to your personal purpose and what drives you as an individual?
TW: I am passionate about helping people achieve their learning and career aspirations. All of the work I have been involved with has always been with this purpose in mind. Personally, I am always learning through my work, meeting new people, understanding their pain points and what keeps them up at night and learning more about technology that helps people achieve their goals. As a people leader I am most proud of how I have been able to grow others. As a connector, I love bringing people together.
That’s what drives me on a daily basis.
M: Tell us a little about your personal education pathway/s - what led you to where you are now? How closely do your formal qualifications match your current career?
TW: My formal learning has really only propelled me in my positions (my Masters has enabled me to be more of a candidate for Director level roles or above).
Recently I completed a Design Thinking course which helped to expand my approach to problem solving and structured thinking. I am finding I am using this now on a daily basis.
As my career progresses, there are more education opportunities ahead for me – in particular learning that will propel my career to a more senior level as I aspire to be a GM or CEO.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice to your 21-year-old self it would be ...
TW: Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions - be curious all the time.
9 times out of 10 the people in a room not asking questions are probably too afraid to do so. I wish I had told my 21 year old self that as it’s a skill I’ve had to really put a lot of effort and attention into.
M: Maximising the potential of individuals, communities, and businesses through the power of human skills is the reason Maxme exists. Can you tell us a little about the role and/or value of human skills in the work/workplaces you're involved with right now?
TW: SEEK is experiencing record high job ads now and low placements for our hirers. The main driver behind this is a lack of skills in the workforce and low unemployment. Across our business we have had to work more closely with our SME’s to help them find and hire the right people, sometimes even compromising with them on the experience level and skills level that candidates have. We must be able to have lots of conversations with our clients to help them achieve their results.
I work with people every day – having human skills is critical to my role and my team too.
With unemployment so low, our education partners are currently experiencing low enrolments as people opt for jobs over education. Having some tough conversations with them about how they invest in SEEK to achieve results and persuading them to invest more is one of the key activities we are undertaking.
All of this work and these conversations need strong human skills in presentation, communication, persuasiveness and negotiation.
M: Self Awareness sets the critical foundation for all Maxme learning experiences. With that said … what’s your strongest trait/personal superpower?
TW: My superpower is being able to get people to act. I am a persuasive person by nature and have always been able to get people to consider a different way of thinking.
M: And on the flip side, what’s one human/‘soft’ skill you’ve had to really work on improving over the course of your career?
TW: I have had to work on my focus and ability to critically analyse/review or question something. This is still an ongoing skill I need to work on.
M: If you could share one piece of career advice with recent Uni graduates or candidates keen to work with an organisation like WorkSafe, what would it be?
TW: When you start a new job, spend most of your time listening, observing, questioning and learning. Take the time to do this in the first few months. Don’t jump in with the answers or think that you know better.
Every company has its own ways of doing things, you can always challenge that but you need to understand and know more first.
M: You've been granted approval to add one University graduate to your team, but have 100 applicants, all with outstanding academic results. How do you find your perfect candidate - what are you looking for?
TW: Someone with critical thinking skills who can learn fast.
M: In the words of John Dewey, “education is not preparation for life, education is life itself.” What’s next on your #learning agenda?
TW: I am looking at a company directors course to help me sharpen my commercial skills.
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