Today we’d like to introduce you to Pete ‘the Job Guy’ Langlois. He and his team shared their story with us below:
Pete “the Job Guy” Langlois is an entrepreneur, radio personality, and recruiting and staffing expert. He is the founder and CEO of Pete The Job Guy, LLC, and he hosted “Hard Work-ah with Pete the Job Guy,” a top-rated weekend radio show based in Jacksonville, Florida, for over 5 years. Pete has been a C-Level staffing executive, leading large local and national staffing firms for over 20 years. Drawing from his hard-fought life experience, generous philanthropic activities, and meaningful personal relationships, Pete shares the lessons of his success at every opportunity. Pete enlisted in the Navy after finishing high school in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, and was stationed in Jacksonville. He’s lived in Jax for over 30 years. While serving in the Navy, Pete worked 50+ hours a week as a jet engine mechanic while simultaneously attending college nights and weekends. Pete earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Southern Illinois University. Degree in hand, Pete’s rocky transition out of the Navy—after seven years of service and multiple deployments overseas—landed him a gig hauling bricks and wondering what it was all for. Things started changing for Pete at Dale Carnegie, where he realized his affinity for public speaking, and at Merrill Lynch, where he learned the value of money. Pete eventually found his true calling in the staffing industry in 2000. and he never looked back.
In 2009, Pete invested in and joined a national staffing firm. As Chief Operating Officer, Pete was instrumental in driving the firm to achieve unprecedented success. The firm ranked among the top 100 U.S. staffing companies and was named one of the fastest-growing private staffing companies in the U.S. The firm also ranked #21 on Forbes’ List of 100 Best Professional Recruiting Firms for 2017 and won many other local and national accolades. Under Pete’s leadership, the firm was successfully acquired by a public company in 2017 for $86 million. Today, Pete still works just as hard as he did as a young recruiter. He leads by example and insists on working with his team daily in the trenches (sitting on the sales floor). Most of all, Pete enjoys helping people during transition and vulnerability. He considers himself blessed to share words of wisdom, affectionately known as “Pete-isms,” on his radio show and podcast, at frequent speaking engagements, and now in a book. Pete and his wife Angie live in Jacksonville, Florida, where they raised their son, Crew, age 27, and daughter, Lindy, 20. They are business partners and co-owners of the Jacksonville, Florida branch of Ascendo Resources.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My career was anything but a ‘smooth road.’ I have taken so many lefts when the much better path was to the right. But that is precisely why I appreciate what I have so much. It is also the reason I love to help people in their careers. I want them to avoid the painful life lessons that I went through. I share my experiences, good and bad, and help ensure people take the proper turn at a career crossroads.
We’ve been impressed with Ascendo Resources, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
My wife Angie and I run Ascendo Resources of Jacksonville. Our team specializes in placing accounting, finance, banking, compliance, healthcare, legal, IT, HR & administrative candidates with companies in North Florida. We do so on a temporary, temp-to-hire, and direct-hire basis. What sets us apart is our commitment to giving back to our community. Our motto is, “Work hard, have fun, and give back.” The Jacksonville Business Journal recognized Ascendo Resources of Jacksonville as #14 on the list of 2023 Corporate Philanthropists. That is pretty prestigious considering our size and the behemoth companies on that list with us. This commitment to Jacksonville has enabled us to build lasting relationships with candidates and clients. Knowing that we are making a difference makes us feel good when our heads hit the pillows every night!
What’s next?
I plan to continue doing what I love to do until it’s not fun anymore. When the fun is gone, so am I, but I’m still enjoying working for now. When I do retire, Angie and I will likely live the snowbird life. We love going to Banner Elk, NC; we visit frequently and own property at the top of Beech Mountain. We will keep our place in Ponte Vedra and spend seasons that allow us to enjoy the best weather months in each location.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.petethejobguy.com, www.ascendo.com
- Instagram: @petethejobguy
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petethejobguy/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petethejobguy/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@petethejobguy
