Applicant Spotlight: Russell Diggs

Russell Diggs, a 57-year-old returning citizen, was born and raised in Washington DC. He learned about Jubilee Jobs from his counselor at Blair Transitional Shelter. He has training and experience in construction and facilities maintenance and has also taught classes in facilities maintenance.

Russell followed every step of the Jubilee Jobs process. He participated in the intake session with his Job Counselor, as well as attended resume, conflict resolution, and interview skills workshops. Pat Scherr, a retired hotel industry HR executive, leads the interview workshops. At this workshop, Russell’s experience and personality stood out to Pat and she knew he would be a good match for a hotel job. Shortly after meeting Russell, Pat reached out to her contacts at the Crestline Hotel Group. Within a week, Russell had secured an interview and a facilities maintenance position with the Courtyard Washington at the Navy Yard.

Russell is very happy at his job. Initially, he was working with a senior engineer but now they are leaving him all on his own to “run the hotel” from 2:30 pm to 11:00 pm each day. Russell is the only engineer on the night shift. Furthermore, the hotel management may be sending Russell down to Atlanta to work in a hotel down there, which he is very excited about.