"Connecting employers and candidates wherever they are for the best fit."

Melissa Concepción founded SOS Trabajo in 2000; she has been the leading force behind the company’s success. Melissa traced the company’s vision and master plan 23 years ago. She understood that to succeed, she would first have to position Human Resources as the true ally for corporations and employees, and thus, she began to leverage Puerto Rico’s media to educate, inform and break paradigms. Melissa’s vision has shaped her career, SOS Trabajo, and the role of Human Resources the region.

Melissa is genuinely passionate about her work. She believes in finding the right candidate for each position, not just as a task to be completed but with the passion and care that only someone who truly understands the importance of making an accurate match for an individual’s life, a team, and a company. Melissa takes pride in knowing that the company she founded has been part of the success of many big and small businesses and so many families, men and women. Pairing companies and people for the best fit and being part of it is truly something she is proud of.

The steadfast leader leads by example. Her story and her trajectory are the source of inspiration for her team. Her belief that women must look out for one another has led her to develop a pilot program to re-introduce women to the workforce after long periods of inactivity. Many women must put their careers on hold to take care of kids and parents. These women desire to be part of an active workforce, but sometimes, they don’t know where to start. Melissa identifies their talent and allows them to work again. So far, the program has been a success, and she is striving to implement it in other companies across other industries.

Ensuring SOS Trabajo's success has not always been easy. Melissa founded SOS Trabajo in Puerto Rico at 21 years of age with the clear vision to redefine Human Resource Industry to encompass its true meaning and value inside corporations. It was about six years into the business when she leveraged radio and TV to become a media personality and a spokesperson for recruitment and HR best practices. This was a defining moment on the road to success where not only her business flourished, but she also became the force that drove Human Resources in Puerto Rico into an ally, a mediator in corporations. Since then, Melissa has collaborated vastly with NPOs, seminars, international programs, and educational activities.

She was selected as one of Caribbean Business “People to Watch” in 2012, as 40 under 40s successful people recognition in Puerto Rico in 2013, as well as Voices in Human Resources Industry in 2015, among others. Through 23 years of service, she has opened operations in 5 countries (Puerto Rico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panamá, and the Dominican Republic). Still, it is essential to mention that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. Melissa continued to work and pursue the company’s business goals despite many challenges: including moving countries, surviving cancer twice, and sustaining business during the pandemic.

Melissa’s advice to everyone is, “You can do it. Keep going. Believe in yourself, you are capable, you can handle it and you will shine. Success is not a straight path; success is an everyday decision, and it lies in the everyday decisions and the first and biggest battlefield lies in your mind. Believe in yourself, study, work hard and everything else will fall into place.” SOS Trabajo’s mission is to connect employers and candidates wherever they are for the best fit.

Pairing companies and people for the best fit has allowed SOS Trabajo to be part of the success of many businesses, big and small. When the right candidate fills a position, the talent needed is in place, and companies can focus their energy and attention on achieving their goals. “I will continue to support women and empower them to achieve objectives through my coaching. I will seek to expand my pilot program of re-introducing women to the workforce after long periods of inactivity,” elucidates Melissa. “I am passionate about education and will continue attending conferences to support and empower people abroad and locally. I believe in the power of coaching and am working towards implementing coaching programs for the less advantaged.

I am proud and excited to be part of my son’s professional development as he continues to study and learns the trade.”