Milestones with Impact

This year marks 2 quite significant milestones for me.? 1 being 10 years at OneStaff and the other being 20 years in recruitment.

To be honest I don’t really feel old even to have marked either of these, however that’s a whole other story!

I still remember my very first day in recruitment at what was Kelly Services. I had no idea what I was doing, but following a mentally taxing time working with one of the more challenging Government departments, I was literally up for anything.? Without even knowing it, I seemed to fall into a role that I would find my feet in.? Recruitment and I were literally match made in working heaven. (And as it turns out, a real life match as that is the day I met my future husband)

Don’t get me wrong, I made mistakes, I dropped the ball, I doubted my decision making ability and I had moments where I was ready to throw it all in.? But more days than not, I left work extremely satisfied.? I did and still do, love my job.

During my time with Kellys I was fortunate enough to work with some amazing people.? In my management years I was led by some incredibly empowering females.? I will forever be grateful to Karen Wallace CMHRNZ Stephanie Kempt Wendy Hewson and Debbie Grenfell for their trust, guidance, support and (most importantly in recruitment), good humour shown to me over the years.

When I left Kelly after 10 years, I swore I’d never go to another agency. “ Same sh*t different bucket” was always my mantra.? But an old colleague (in life not age), Jon Ives and Scott Brittenden presented me with an opportunity to work with him again and become a shareholder in OneStaff. From someone (me) who is very risk adverse, the thought of putting it all on the line and starting a new branch with not even a chair to sit on, was pretty bloody daunting, but with some fierce cheerleaders on my team (Husband, Jon & Scott), I decided to give it a shot.

This very week, 10 years ago, OneStaff Hawkes Bay was birthed (not literally of course) and I’ve never looked back. OneStaff have been an exceptional business to work for.? I am forever grateful to Jon for his trust in me, his ridiculous sense of humour keeping me afloat and his understanding that Maths has never and will never be my forte. Jon is a genuinely wonderful person who I feel lucky to call a friend and my manager.

Although I am now in a Health and Safety Role, not much has changed in recruitment in 20 years.? Yes the margins are different and clients might have different expectations, compliance can mean extra restrictions, the market ebbs and flows then ebbs again. But one 1 thing remains the same; it’s all about the people and the impact you have on them.

The people you place, the people you liaise with, the people in your team, the people you go home to.?

You, in your recruitment role will have an impact on them all, and it is up to you to decide what that impact is.? Sure, some may make choices you disagree with, or not speak in the nicest of tones, or (worst of all ??) may decide to work with your competitor – even though you know you could do a better job, but you still determine the impact you have on them.? So after 20 years in this accidental chosen industry of mine, my advice to you is this (even if you’re not in recruitment): think of the impact you are having on a person, let that lead you in how you move forward.?

The people I’ve listed here (plus many more I haven’t listed) had a hugely positive impact on me, and I hope I’ve had the same impact on the people I’ve worked with, and will continue to work with.

The last 20 years in recruitment and the last 10 years at OneStaff have been an absolute blast. I wouldn’t change a single day (even on my first ever client visit when my pants ripped to expose my highlighter pink undies, or the client visit when I crashed my ute while backing out in front of them, or at the board meeting when I asked what the “cloud” was and became astounded to learn it wasn’t an actual collection of tiny water droplets floating together in the air).

I’ve laughed, cried, stressed, panicked, achieved and learnt, but most of all I’ve thrived.? I found my place and it’s really really great.

Here's to more milestones and more impact.

#20years #10years #recruitment #impact

?