Olivia - International Telecommunications Recruiter

What attracted you to a career in recruitment?
I was looking for a career that used my best skills which I felt were my personal skills. I was also looking for something that allowed me to deal with people and gave me a chance to earn money on my own terms.

How would you describe the beginning of your career in recruitment? What did you do in the first few weeks?
It is a very steep learning curve, everyone goes through the same thing, thinking that they aren?t doing it right and never feeling like they are finding the right cvs. This isn?t the case but it takes time to get the skills to see what makes a good candidate and a good client.

What do you enjoy about your recruitment job?
The chance to work with some brilliant people and to speak to some of the most interesting people in the world of work. The satisfaction and buzz from getting a deal, earning the commission and knowing that you have started someone on a new career path is fantastic.

What has been your biggest success to date in recruitment?
Going to the Czech Republic and doing face to face meetings with the CEO?s and senior Directors of the world?s largest mobile company and winning the business and working it successfully and gain a great reference from the CEO personally. It felt brilliant to be able to achieve at this level.

How would you describe your working environment?
The world of recruitment is hectic and busy, the people you work with will normally all be big characters and good fun to work with.

What advice would you give to a graduate who is considering a career in recruitment?
Be aware that it is hard work and you really do get in what you get out, you can coast in this industry but you will make no money for you or your company. It is also a rollercoaster ride with big highs and big lows so you have to keep your own motivation up at the times when deals are falling through to keep picking up the phone and finding new business.