My first week in JAC Group. Why the change and it is not what I expected!

Before I share with you how my first week with JAC went. The elephant in the room has to be addressed.

Another Japanese recruitment firm?! Are you out of your mind Sarah?! Why?! I think everyone who worked closely with me before have wondered why I made the choice to work with JAC Group. Making a move in Q3 (if you are in recruitment biz, leaving in Q3 means you are letting go a peak billing quarter), which also meant forgoing some fantastic opportunities, strong camaraderie with all the amazing colleagues, consistent pipeline, and sustainable desk which I have been specializing for over 7 years.

In July 2021, a heart-to-heart conversation came by with one of my long-term client turned close friend, we were talking about self-actualization in life and why a people business kind of industry is my calling. Upon sharing, I soon identified a few underlying needs for change; the desire for high incentive environment and risk in venturing into something new while utilizing my strong skillsets.

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So was I unhappy in my previous role? The answer is a firm NO. I enjoyed working with the people in RGF.?In the course of over 1 year 8 months working there, I was able to develop my own elevator pitch and BD style, learnt to overcome some of my fear of public speaking, pitched on MNC firms that was on most consultant’s wish list and obtained retainer project successfully. But at the same time, I felt something lacking in terms of my drive and enthusiasm.?I was working on the same portfolio within engineering sector since 2014 and while changing a job during COVID-19 always pose a set of challenges; to me it shouldn’t be a too hard of stumbling block to overcome if you know how to pivot, identify some silver lining, leverage on technology and focus on building sustainable relationships for your industry.

?On the very same month, a dear colleague of mine passed away and concurrently I was approached by various rec to rec and various search firms. It was like signs and situations that happened in life have just indirectly show me that it is time for a change. I opened myself up to a conversation with Kirsty Poltock linkedin.com/in/kirsty-poltock-5788a24 . Of all the MD I came through in my past interviews experience, Kirsty has shown capacity in being humble, empathetic and very real in highlighting JAC’s strengths but also the areas for investment and development over the next 5 years. The last 2 buy in was listening some of her super enjoyable podcast series with Thecareerestablishment (https://thecareerestablishment.com/podcast/).

On the podcast series, she shared on her vulnerabilities, experience in recruitment, how JAC is on the forefront of positive growth and change in times of uncertainty. Like anyone who is passively looking out, I also checked in with a mutual contact within JAC who also shared similarly positive experience working there. There were coherent consensus in strong collaboration, high incentive model, and support in innovation. The last buy in was when Kirsty actually offered me to work on an industry which I am piqued with interest in -> Information Technology. Kirsty’s proposition came in a timely phase and she gave me an opportunity which I find it hard to say No to.

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So how did it go on your first five day with JAC? Apart from a few technical remote IT set up glitches (I am sure all of you WFH new starters can relate to this at some point), I am excited to be part of the team here. The practice leaders of each patch have been welcoming. I see a lot of unique bright personalities, good sense of humor and colleagues which I am eager to collaborate with. We started our first BD campaign on Friday which filled me with adrenaline rush and excitement to bring more great clients to JAC. We ended our Friday with a Q4 kick off meeting where I see how success is celebrated in great way and inadequacies in certain areas are not being critiqued but instead looked into in a more constructive manner.

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So before I end this long A** post, I like to share that if you are in IT infrastructure profession or hiring for that IT infra person who can solve your remote deployment issues or maintain your IT system or bring a swift change IT management. Please start hitting me up with a message via LinkedIn or email at sarah.chin@jac-recruitment.com . Otherwise, head to our website https://www.jac-recruitment.sg/ for a purview of all the amazing roles which my colleagues and I are working on now.?