The last 3 years and what is next for me...

Wow, it’s been 3 years since I gave an updated “this is me and welcome to my life story”...

I gave a really in-depth detail into my background, my upbringing and what my life before work looked like in my previous blog… have a nosey!

The last 3 years have flown by since relocating from Southampton to Leeds. 3 more years’ under my belt in R2R, more wrinkles, touching 30 ???? (YUK) and, lots of life changes. Good, bad and questionable...

We (Max and I) bought our first home and renovated it from top to bottom completely ourselves (more Max but whatevs) I picked all the aesthetics out which is the most important bit right? Just agree, that's what I say to Max ??

I learnt how to shoot... with an actual gun. I’m a country girl at heart and love being out and about in the countryside. My 18-year-old sister is still 10x better than me, even though she discovered boys and alcohol and puts nowhere near as much effort in. I’ll let her have that one.?Youngest child syndrome! ????

Speaking of my sis, I got to spend some quality time with her at the most important time of her life, ages 15 -18. I love her but she can be a cow! No wonder my mum despised me at that age ??

After being obsessed with country music, I finally booked to go on a holiday of a lifetime to Memphis and Nashville – I go in May and I literally can not bloody wait ??

I’ve gained 3 new babies, Teddie, Ralph and Niamh. They are absolutely everything to me. Being an Auntie is the best thing in the world ?

I got to spend some special time with my grandparents. Grandma Dot has already made her LinkedIn debut. Does anyone else's grandparents try and slyly stick ￡10 in your glove box for petrol? Although, it's not very sly. It's actually quite aggressive ??

Also, I will miss doing the charity shop crawl in 'posh' areas as Dot would say.

"You'll get some bargains in here, it's a posh area"

Rec 2 Rec life...

What a journey.

There has been so much change in the R2R market over the last 3.5 years. I’m now 7 years in and my god, the last few years have been hectic, testing and a HUGE learning curve - which I'm sure has been for every single recruiter out there that has survived the years of 2020 to now!

I set a goal. I wanted to be different. I wanted my whole recruitment network to buy into me for being me. My humour, my values, my knowledge and most of all, I wanted people to be able to relate to me. Not saying I have completely cracked it but, I think I've done alright ??

Yep. I sold my soul to LinkedIn and got a lot of "It's LinkedIn not Facebook messages"

Being bold and totally embracing the new world of LinkedIn has been an absolute game-changer.

Thinking outside the box... Exhibit A ????

Exhibit B ????

What have I learnt?

???? Quality over quantity. So cliché but it’s so so true

???? Personal brand is super important if not the most important thing. It’s what sets you apart from the rest and makes you authentic

???? Smarter headhunting

???? Being completely yourself

???? Set boundaries

???? Patience

???? Consistency

What is next for me?

We’ve spent the last 3 years in our own little bubble up North with our heads down and focussing on the job in hand which was; make money, buy a house, finish the house and sell. Now that we've done that, it's time to get back to what is important - our family and friends ????

Moving back down South was such an easy decision to make and tbh, a long time coming but, it's also been a really hard pill to swallow because I'm leaving my Grandparents, my Dad, my hormonal 18-year-old sister and a team I love and have spent the hardest years of my career with ?

On the other hand, I can do bedtime stories on a 'school night' with my nieces and nephews. I can spontaneously go for coffee with my besties on a Saturday afternoon if I want. I can drive to work and kiss goodbye to trains ?? - it's the little things ay!

Moving on...

I am so excited about my next move.

I'm hanging my hat on Rec 2 Rec and going to work for a business I've known since my Ivory Jacobs days. They're a brand that completely stands out from the rest and I always said if I was ever going to leave R2R, this would be a brand I would jump at the opportunity to put my name too ??

They're genuine, authentic, passionate, kind and just special.

I couldn't feel giddier if I tried.

Catch you Monday for the infamous LinkedIn job update ???

P.s. Get me back by the bloody sea ??