With 27,778 recruitment agencies now in the UK alone (a three fold increase from 2012) a career in recruitment is increasingly becoming a popular career choice. Cara was new to the recruitment world when she started with us in January 2016 but since that time she has gone from trainee to Recruitment Consultant, presented in Dublin, and won numerous awards, including an upgraded Northern Lights Cruise trip to Iceland!’
Recently we sat down with Cara to find out more about what it’s really like to work in the recruitment industry and her experience at Think Global Recruitment. This is what we found out.
Q. Tell us about your experience at Think Global Recruitment and any experience you had in recruitment before joining?
“This is my first recruitment job! I graduated from university with a degree in English Literature and went on to do a graduate business trainee course. I didn’t really enjoy it because I wanted something more challenging and target driven, so I went abroad to teach English, to get away and re-evaluate before I came back and decided to enter recruitment.”
Q. Did you apply to any other agencies before Think Global Recruitment?
“I applied to a few and had a few offers. But I found that some of them were quite corporate and the assessment days could be quite intimidating. Think Global Recruitment was the most relaxed firm that I applied to – not trying to be too corporate.”
Q. What was your first impression of Think Global Recruitment?
“The first thing I noticed was everyone was wearing casual clothes. There was a very relaxed atmosphere in the office and I was instantly made to feel comfortable. I could see that it was a competitive environment but in a friendly way. No-one was trying to pull the wool over other people’s eyes or do well at the expense of their colleagues. It is more like competitive camaraderie.”
Q. Did you have any worries before entering recruitment?
“I’d never been in sales before so I thought that would be a challenge. I was working to targets and, because I was new to the job, didn’t know how achievable they were. I didn’t know the market or the ins and outs of the job, so that was challenging at first.”
Q. How long did it take you to settle in and find your way?
“It took a couple of months because there is a lot of training and a lot to take in. I was never made to feel pressured until I was ready, I was given a lot of guidance and never left by myself. I think it varies from person to person but I was always reassured that everyone learns at their own pace.”
Q. You’ve been at Think Global for a year and a half, what have been the highlights of your time here?
“My first placement was a really amazing feeling! I’ve had some really successful months, especially recently where I billed very highly and Think Global Recruitment had one of its best months in the history of the company. I’ve had a great year so far and I’m sure there are many more exciting things to come.”
Q. Have you been on any trips in your role?
“I was able to visit Dublin to meet candidates and clients. We stayed there for three nights and it was fantastic. I took part in a presentation which I delivered to a packed out room of newly qualified CA’s.”
Q. What has been the biggest challenge you have faced?
“Recruitment is a very fast paced business so it’s important to maintain a good work/life balance. Sometimes you can stay late and have to be back at 9am the next day. But we use flexitime which means you get that time back elsewhere. It can also be hard not checking your emails at the weekend, but once you’ve been doing it for a while you get better at that.”
Q. What would you say to someone considering a career in recruitment?
“If you are a competitive, like a challenge and want your career progression to be in your own hands, recruitment is definitely something to consider. It’s also great for people who are sociable and like to get along with people. If you’ve just come out of university, recruitment is an industry where you can build up skills across lots of different areas.”
Q. What skills have you developed most?
“Sales is a very big part of recruitment, as is relationship-building. You also learn about marketing and communications. When you manage your desk it’s like your own mini business. You have to be self-reliant as must decide what things you’re going to target first and how to allocate your time. So in that sense, it would be good for someone who might have future aspirations to run their own business.”
Q. What about the social side of the job?
“Everyone at Think Global Recruitment is quite social, so we all usually go out for Friday drinks at the end of the week. I think it’s a great sign of a team when you want to hang around even after you’ve finished your work for the day.”
Q. And lastly, if you could give three tips for someone starting out in recruitment right now, what would they be?
“1.Make sure you ask lots of questions because that’s the best way to learn when you are first starting out.
2. Look at the most successful person in the office. Shadow them and learn from what they do.
3. You are your own best competition!”
Wise words. We would like to give a big thank you to Cara for sharing her story with us, we’re all massively proud of how far you have come!
If you would like further advice on recruitment click here to get in contact with one of our team
