10 Year Work Anniversary: What I’ve Learnt

This month I’m celebrating an important 10-year anniversary. It’s a major milestone, a big achievement, and it’s one of the most important relationships I’ve had since arriving in Australia from the UK back in 2007, and surprisingly it’s with my Employer – Constructive Recruitment.

10 years. Nearly a quarter of my life, and more than half my career. John Howard was Premier when I arrived. Rove was on Sunday night TV. It seems like a lifetime ago, but somehow it has passed so quickly. It’s been a journey I’ve relished every minute of. Hitting the big 1-0 with Constructive has made me quite retrospective and it’s impossible not to look back and ponder.

I’ve been in recruitment for 17 years. I’ve placed thousands of people and recruited for hundreds of clients across 2 continents. I’m confident enough to say I know what I’m doing. 10 years ago, I was a young man and thought I knew everything, I didn’t, and I still don’t, I’m still learning despite being in the industry for so long, but the last 10 with Constructive has really been the making of me. I put that down to working with the right company. It’s all about the fit.

Finding that right fit is something that’s close to my heart. I’m lucky to find that with Constructive, and aim to find that for everyone I work with, candidate or client. Of course, not every candidate is going to commit to a 10-year stint, but it’s what I strive for. I want my candidates to have a similar experience to what I’ve found. I love working for Constructive. Some may think that somewhat sycophantic, but it’s true (I’m not after a pay rise!). There’s been ups and downs over the years, of course, but I’m still here and there’s a reason for that; I believe in the company. If I can replicate my own employment experience for my candidates, then I know I’m doing my job right.

There’s a few lessons I’ve learned along the way; don’t take yourself too seriously, treat others as you wish to be treated, always look at the long-term win, listen and consider everything (you have to read between the lines as you’re dealing with people, not machines), value your service and respect your peers. I like to think I’m an honest and decent person and that I attract likeminded clients and candidates. Constructive has fostered all of the traits above and that’s why I’m still going strong after 10 years. There’s not many recruiters that reach the 10-year mark with one company, just look around LinkedIn, but I have 3 other colleagues all knocking on the same door, so my feeling towards Constructive aren’t exclusive just to me.

I’ve got a lot to thank Constructive for. I met my wife here 9 years ago, we bought our home three years ago and we’ve recently had our first child (when do I get to sleep again?). I met the majority of my best friends through the Company, all people with the same vision and goals; Constructive has been a major influence on my private life as well as my professional. My MD, Giles Keay, is the best boss I’ve ever had (I’m not after a pay rise, honest!) and I’d like to use this platform to thank him personally for everything he’s done for me over the last 10 years. It’s been a wonderful journey that has been a privilege to share with you. Thank you, Giles, here’s to the next 10!