8 years in recruitment and counting...

I was reminded last week that it was my 8 year anniversary in the world of agency recruitment, so thought I might as well write a blog as our marketing manager tells me I need to be more active on this platform (still not sure what a ‘personal brand’ fully means...)

In that time I have worked for 3 different companies, 3 different markets, in 2 countries and made over 250 placements. There has also been Brexit, a pandemic, tech boom and subsequent market downturn but less about those.?Here are some reflections, cringe phrases and even worse analogies--

This might come across as me being an "old fashioned" recruiter but I do believe the fundamentals to be successful in recruitment have not really changed in the last 8 years. Yes there has been plenty of advancements in software & automation that we utilise here at Primis which is true of a lot of industries. However, now more than ever you need to have excellent networking skills, be a strong relationship builder and really care about what you do day in day out. What I have seen is a need to add more value than just providing a good candidate, helping customers develop their talent brand and attraction strategy has become increasingly important. It really helps to be a specialist recruiter; if I want good pizza (which I often do since moving to NYC) I will go to an Italian spot, not an all you can eat buffet. Focus on your core markets and your service levels will be high.

I’ve been very lucky to have worked with and for some incredible people who I’ve learnt most of what I know from. I know there is a lot of debate about companies asking people back to the office (and I get both sides) but for me having worked full time in the office till the pandemic, I know I learned so much from being with colleagues in the office. For anyone earlier on in their journey than me, use that office time to listen and observe then find your own way.

I’ve made plenty of mistakes so far and there will be more to come but I’m a big believer in you win or you learn. Recruitment has its ups and downs or "valleys and mountain tops" as my former boss use to so aptly put it. Moving to America to launch an office for Primis has undoubtedly been my biggest professional and personal challenge. "Great things never came from comfort zones," right?

Moving from a biller/individual contributor role to being a manager is something many reading this (if anyone does) will be familiar with both in and out of recruiting. I don’t think I have enough experience to give advice on the latter just yet, but I will say, do this when you feel you are ready rather than someone telling you to do it.

The war for talent and skill shortages in tech will continue, we cannot create talent out of thin air. Continuous investment needs to to be made not only in educating children for the modern world, but also in upskilling the current workforce.

My goal with Primis is to provide an enjoyable place to work for people to advance their careers in the industry and to help our customers scale with the best people and our candidates achieve their goals. Plenty more lessons to be learned and some more fun on the way.

I think that’s enough waffling for now... DM’s always open for anyone who wants to talk recruitment, moving to America or pizza.

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