Being proud of the sector we are in

Last week, I found myself almost apologising for working in recruitment after 20 years of being in the sector.

Why? As I feel as though as in many industries, there are great people good at what they do and know, and there are others that do not do the sector any favours. I also feel the 'sales' aspect and people’s dismissal of recruiters is adding to our paranoia and perhaps stirs our inner demons at networking events especially, such as 'they won’t want to speak to me, I’m a recruiter'.

One of my team said to me yesterday, “I almost felt bad for being a recruiter”. What? This needs addressing. 

To me, being a professional recruitment consultant is being there to help clients and candidates, advise, save money, time, be the eyes and ears and ultimately find career paths as well as to attract the best talent for individual companies and businesses. We can all get the praise and be the 'kicking block' depending on the sector or individual that we are working with. As in any sector - its ok to get it wrong sometimes.

Do people get into recruitment for the right reasons?

What were my reasons? I graduated from university with a French degree, had my first job as a French speaking account manager then quickly realised the variety wasn’t there. I enjoy getting out and seeing people in person - building relationships was my thing.

Then I heard about recruitment and how successful my friend’s sister was in IT recruitment and that was it. I just had to work in this exciting sector! A corporate recruitment business gave me the opportunity and I haven’t looked back.

What do I perceive as the key to my success in recruitment?

Honesty, transparency and credibility. I would never want to wear a mask and be someone that I’m not!

Reputation and having a good positive reputation, having great working relationships with colleagues and sector professionals and being able and wanting to go the extra mile for people. Be inquisitive, make friendships and don’t be afraid and be authentic. Why be anything else.

So going back to me shying away from overly promoting recruitment seems silly. Recently a housing professional said to me, after I was overly thanking them for their time, this person then said back time: 'no, thank you ever so much for your time.' This has resonated with me. It made me realise how 'green' I actually am (from Insights!) and that I need to show my fiery 'red' more. My time is precious as much as the next person's time.

Being in the social housing and construction industry for a long time does give me the gravitas and hopefully respect to be recognised as a career woman and professional- an influencer in my own right.

So to conclude, any other professionals feeling a little bit like me on occasion, we need to all realise we are needed, we are an asset and connecting and working together will make great things happen!

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