One year in to my recruitment journey: Lessons learned

Timeline of journey so far... 3 months of training, 3 months on desk, 6 months on furlough, and two weeks back. Now we are up-to-date

It’s been a crazy year, I wouldn't of believed you if you told me back on September 23rd 2019, my first day at Macs, that the next year would see so much change.

It’s been challenging both professionally and personally in my first full time job after university with everything going on in the world, but as we sit here today I feel stronger for it and looking forward into my second year.

I have learnt from my mistakes, and grown as a person in my role. Making me more confident and prepared going forward.

I will also say that I still have things to learn...well, a lot to learn actually; but I am in a situation where I am relishing new challenges and training opportunities. It should also be said that I work in an extremely supportive team that are willing to take their time in helping me.

I just thought this was a good time to take stock a little bit, and reflect on the past year, highlighting a couple of things I have learnt:

The importance of planning

I have always been quite an organised person (well i thought I was), studying history at University, I had a significant amount of independent learning to do outside of lectures and seminars, so I had to build a structured day plan. And I thought I was pretty good at it...then I entered recruitment.

Over my first few weeks on desk. I realised with the amount of juggling you have to do in recruitment; talking with clients, sourcing candidates, chasing leads, referencing formatting CV's, etc. - You need a far more structured day plan than 9-12 read a book by an old historian, long lunch, 2-5 read a book by an older historian.

Here it is also important to mention, that you should try and stick to the timings you set yourself. Obviously that isn't always the case in recruitment, but it is very easy to find yourself doing a task 30 minutes more than you planned just because you want that little bit more from it. Whereas, in reality you just end up burning time and energy.

Second thing is communication

It is so important to feel like you can ask for help. Initially I struggled with this, just kind of keeping my head down and cracking on with tasks, thinking I was doing it all properly. But I would stray off task without realising, and end up wasting my time and effort on something. I remember in one of my first 1-2-1's this coming to light, and being quite taken back because I really didn't realise what I was doing.

It is so important when you are new, in training, or at any time even if you have been doing a job for years; that you can feel like you can ask for advice and support from someone.

This has been harder now we are all online, rather than having a quick chat on desk, but like I say you can always pick up the phone. It’s amazing what another person’s perspective can do to the way you see something.

Importance of taking time and slowing down

I have struggled at times professionally and personally with anxiety. Getting worked up, and burning a lot of nervous energy has been one of my flaws since Uni.

It is so important to stop sometimes when you need it, and slow things down for a minute. Go for a walk, sit back and have a cup of tea or whatever it is you like doing. Well-being is key, especially right now with everything going off.

I know it’s not revolutionary stuff, "planning, communication and wellbeing are important", don't think I will be publishing my book and joining those old historians any time soon. But after a years’ experience in a new role, it’s important to take a look back and see the things you have learnt.

I am so excited to be back on the park for Macs, and have been so busy the past week getting back out there, speaking to candidates and clients. It’s wonderful to be able to recruit again, and I am looking forward to the next few months.