Amanda - Executive Search

What attracted you to a career in executive search?
I have to be honest, I never set out to take up a career in recruitment - as many people will say, I simply 'fell' into it. I have always been a people person and this job allows you to deal with people on a daily basis.

How would you describe the beginning of your career in executive search? What did you do in the first few weeks?
The company I work for are terribly welcoming, so I got taken out for a number of introductory lunches, had a week?s training program (that was incredibly organised) and I got to shadow a number of people, so that I could learn  how to pick up the phone and approach people.

What do you enjoy about your executive search job?
I love being able to speak to such intelligent, senior people; I enjoy finding the right person the perfect opportunitiy; and as I get better at what I do, I thrive at specialising in a particular sector.

What has been your biggest success to date in executive search?
A number of very good placements for a global firm, who were impressed with our speed, dedication and quality of candidates.

How would you describe your working environment?
My company is a friendly place to work and we are what you would describe as classic headhunters. Although it is a sales-driven business, there are no horrible sales targets that must be hit, or a pressurised working environment. People encourage, help and support you in an adult working environment, where you can manage your own time as long as results are achieved.

What advice would you give to a graduate who is considering a career in recruitment?
Depending on what type of recruitment you go into, you need to be dedicated and willing to see a project right through to the very end. A word that is often used is 'tenacity?'because some positions can be hard to fill and you need to have the drive to preserve even when you feel like you are making no progress!