I never really planned to work in recruitment, it was something I found myself move into organically – it was a natural progression from other sales roles. For me it was the result of a suggestion from a recruiter I happened to interview with for an unrelated position. And six years later... here I am!
What would you consider as your professional achievements?
The fact that I’ve been able to establish myself as a successful legal recruiter without having any formal legal qualification certainly ranks pretty high! I believe recruitment allows you to set the bar high for yourself and the goals you set are reachable. It is one of those professions in which you have the most control, and it is entirely up to you what objectives you’d want to focus on. I chose to spend more time upskilling myself in a market I knew little of, and it has paid off in the long term.
What would you tell someone is the secret to advancing your professional journey?
If you know your trade, and you have built a foundation that can not only withstand multiple failures but is propped up by your successes, then there is no such thing as luck. When things start to go your way, it will be a result of the resilience and hard work you put in, and your ability to learn from your mistakes and plan for better outcomes when the next opportunity comes along.
What would be your advice to young female graduates looking to explore recruitment as a career?
Young female graduates looking for an eventual role in leadership can accomplish this at an early age working in recruitment. Within the second year of my recruitment career I was already mentoring newcomers in the business, and by my third year I was a Team Leader. You don’t need an MBA to know how to guide an individual/business to success, the key is to keep learning as much as you can on the job. As a female recruiter I have always looked to more senior female leaders in recruitment for mentorship. Understanding their journey has helped me shape mine. Young recruiters today are incredibly lucky to have access to a massive community of professionals who are more than willing to share their ideas and experiences.