Starting a career as a Recruitment Consultant
In January 2024, I took the leap into a career as a Trainee Recruitment Consultant, guided by the mentorship of Deirdre Finnerty, who was honoured with the Recruiter of the Year award in 2015. Currently, I am specialising in technical engineering roles at our Galway office, covering positions such as manufacturing engineers, automation engineers, packaging engineers, test engineers, industrial engineers, and polymer engineers.
While my previous role was fulfilling, I felt a deep-rooted desire to broaden my horizons and explore more extensive career opportunities. After extensive research and seeking advice from friends, I determined that a career in recruitment would provide the best platform for both personal and professional development.
During my interview process at CCP, I was struck by the team's unwavering passion and commitment to their work. Their dedication reinforced my decision to enter the recruitment industry and ignited my enthusiasm to join this vibrant field. The opportunity to learn from and collaborate with some of the industry's top professionals was a significant driving force for me.
Entering this profession, I quickly recognised that recruitment is an exceptionally fast-paced and dynamic field, not suited to everyone. Starting with limited experience felt challenging, but the comprehensive three-month training programme has been invaluable. It allowed me to familiarise myself with the processes before taking on full responsibilities. Now, after eight weeks, I am beginning to feel a growing confidence in my abilities.
Recruitment is undeniably a rollercoaster ride, characterised by its highs and lows. I have come to understand the true meaning of this expression. Despite personal struggles during the lows, a simple gesture of gratitude from a client or candidate—acknowledging the effort invested in filling a role—serves as a powerful reminder that I am on the right path and motivates me to continue.
Last week, I celebrated my first successful placement, which made all previous setbacks worthwhile. Witnessing the alignment between a client and candidate and facilitating a mutually beneficial match was profoundly rewarding.
With only four weeks remaining in our training, the moment to take flight and operate independently is approaching. How I will fare remains to be seen, but I am determined to give it my best effort.
Top Tips for Aspiring Recruitment Consultants
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Embrace the Phone: Initially, making calls can be daunting, but it becomes easier with practice. Each call builds your ability to connect with candidates and clients.
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Networking is Key: Participate in industry events, such as CIPD talks, and actively engage with both prospective and existing clients to establish your presence and build valuable relationships.
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Resilience is Crucial: Recruitment has its ups and downs. Treat setbacks as learning experiences and keep moving forward.
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Seek Guidance: Don’t hesitate to ask questions. As a newcomer in the field, it's natural to need answers, and your colleagues will be eager to assist.
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Harness Social Media: Platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter are increasingly important for sourcing candidates. Use these tools to advertise roles, search for talent, and explore all avenues to attract top candidates.
I would be delighted to discuss engineering and technician-level recruitment opportunities with you. Although I am at the early stage of my career, I am committed to delivering an exceptional customer experience. Working with outstanding clients throughout Ireland and having received training from top industry experts, I am confident in my ability to introduce you to excellent job opportunities.
For more information on recruitment services and to explore career opportunities in Ireland, visit www.hero.ie.
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