Meet your recruiter: Cosette Mateus, medical imaging

Behind the scenes of any successful organization lies a team of dedicated recruiters, diligently working to find the perfect fit between candidates and job vacancies. Cosette Mateus, external medical imaging recruiter at Interior Health, exemplifies the essence of this role.

With a passion for building genuine relationships and helping candidates find their ideal positions, she plays a vital part in the growth and success of Interior Health. Get to know Cosette, and delve into her journey as a recruiter, her responsibilities, and the gratifying experiences she cherishes in her fulfilling career.

A place to call home

Nestled in the West Kootenays and bordered by Washington lies the picturesque town of Trail, known for its sense of community, sports spirit, scenic backdrop and family-oriented atmosphere. It was in this welcoming and supportive municipality where Cosette spent the early years of her life. With its natural beauty, recreational activities and warm-hearted locals, Trail provides the perfect setting for young families to call home.

After graduating high school, Cosette’s adventurous spirit took her to Kelowna to seek new experiences and opportunities. However, after having a son with her husband in 2019, the couple realized the importance of family support, and felt a desire to raise their children in the same nurturing environment where she grew up—Trail. Upon returning to her hometown, one of the first things that struck Cosette was the overwhelming sense of belonging and community she felt.

Trail's appeal is in part due to its affordability, making it an attractive destination for young families. She noticed that the town is home to many new families like hers, which translates to abundant opportunities for children to engage in recreational activities and attend various city events. Well-established health and environmental programs specifically cater to the needs of these families, ensuring a healthy and nurturing upbringing for the town's littlest residents.

The town's allure is enhanced by its geographic location, as it lies along the scenic Columbia River. This not only provides beautiful views all year round, but also offers access to lovely beaches during the summer. For families like Cosette's, it means ample opportunities to bond outdoors, creating lasting memories amidst nature's splendors.

A perfect balance

One of the aspects that she appreciates about living in Trail is the flexibility it offers. While the town provides a strong sense of community and a welcoming atmosphere, it also allows easy access to return to neighbouring cities like Kelowna, or a visit to peaceful communities like Nakusp. Her family can indulge in both the bustling city life and the tranquility of rural areas, offering the perfect balance.

Cosette and her husband recently acquired an almost 100-year-old house in Trail. Although renovating it has been a labour-intensive task, they have taken pleasure in transforming it into a cozy and loving home for their children, and a welcoming environment for hosting dinner parties. The process of making their house a warm abode exemplifies the importance of family and building a strong foundation for their children's future.

Cosette’s journey at IH

Her journey as an external recruiter began in December 2020 when she transitioned from the Internal Recruitment team to her current role. For Cosette, the appeal of being a recruiter lies in the creative freedom it offers, allowing her to build authentic relationships with both candidates and hiring managers within Interior Health. Embracing opportunities to meet new people and engage with the community resonate deeply with her, making the role a perfect fit for her dynamic personality.

As the external medical imaging recruiter, Cosette is responsible for handling a diverse range of roles, including sonographers, medical radiation technologists, MRI technologists, and nuclear medicine technologists. Her primary focus is on supporting candidates in their job search and ensuring that managers find the best-suited candidates who align with our strategic direction in medical imaging.

Having spent much of her adult life at Interior Health, she humorously refers to herself as a "lifer." The organization has been her constant through life's various milestones, from adopting pets, getting married and having kids. The connections she has formed with coworkers have evolved from colleagues to friends and, at times, even family. Interior Health's culture of kindness, warmth, fun, supportiveness and generosity continues to amaze her, making her proud to be a part of our community.

Cosette's journey at Interior Health exemplifies the profound impact that dedicated professionals have on shaping the success and growth of an organization. Her passion for building authentic relationships, supporting candidates, and ensuring the perfect fit between talent and opportunity reflects the essence of her role.

A keen eye for talent

Collaborating closely with medical imaging managers and leaders, Cosette identifies the recruitment needs within the organization. Her keen eye for talent leads her to proactively source qualified candidates, ensuring that vacancies are filled promptly.

Using best practices during the pre-screening process, Cosette maintains a fair and equitable approach that benefits all candidates. When reviewing applications, she values candidates who demonstrate preparedness by carefully reading the job requirements and attaching all applicable documents. Such attention to detail shows dedication and seriousness in their application.

As a dedicated recruiter, she encourages candidates never to hesitate in reaching out, whether they have questions about the position or need support during the application process.

Embracing the joys of her role

She embraces her role with the utmost dedication and understands the significant impact recruiters have on a candidate's first impression of an organization. Cosette takes time with each candidate, ensuring they feel heard, supported and valued throughout the recruitment process.

Witnessing a candidate's journey from application to becoming an employee is immensely gratifying for her. The joy of having conversations with successful candidates after they receive job offers is truly uplifting and exciting.

Rewarding projects, rewarding experiences

Over the course of 12 years at Interior Health, Cosette has been a part of numerous rewarding projects and experiences. Among them, the messages of gratitude and appreciation she receives from managers, employees, and candidates stand out as cherished moments. Keeping a folder filled with heartwarming emails, she draws strength and inspiration from these messages on challenging days, reminding herself why she is so passionate about helping others.

With a warm and supportive approach, she takes pride in witnessing candidates flourish within our organization, creating a ripple effect of positive change throughout the healthcare community. As one of the dedicated members behind Interior Health’s recruitment team, she plays a vital role in fulfilling the organization’s commitment to providing exceptional care to the communities it serves.

Through her efforts, she not only helps to build strong and effective teams, but also leaves a lasting impression on those she interacts with, fostering a culture of kindness, support and gratitude. Cosette's journey serves as an inspiring testament to the power of passion, genuine connections, and the transformative potential of a fulfilling career in health-care recruitment.

Her favourite quote, from Albert Einstein, aligns with her core values of honesty, equality and empathy, and reflects her empathetic approach to life: “Try not to become a man of success but rather try to become a man of value.” Helping others and positively influencing the lives of the people around her at work and in her personal life are important to Cosette.

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