Currently looking for graduate placements or thinking ahead for your future? Julia Constable gives us an insight in to the world of recruitment to help you decide whether or not it’s for you…
Choosing a career path is a daunting decision, and although a career in recruitment might not have been your first thought when looking for potential job opportunities, for an ambitious and money-motivated few, a career as a head-hunter might be the right fit. I talked to Kris Holland, the Marketing Manager at Charlton Morris, to find out what traits executive search firms look for in new recruits and the incentives available to graduates and placement applicants alike.
With offices located in both Leeds and Copenhagen, Charlton Morris is an internationally operating recruitment firm, specialising in the fields of medical devices, life sciences and energy. Since its founding in 2013, their team of consultants has rapidly expanded from nine to forty-one; this dramatic growth reflects their increasing global success, seeking out highly qualified professionals for their international clients. As a fast-paced, target driven and highly competitive industry, recruitment is not for the fainthearted. With this in mind, I wanted an answer to one key question: what makes a successful head-hunter?
Mr. Holland spoke very candidly regarding the types of people who become successful recruitment consultants; in a fiercely competitive industry sourcing talented candidates for specialised positions, head-hunters must be highly self-motivated and determined. A go-getter attitude is paramount for success, as fortune favours the bold. For example, head-hunters should have no problem picking up the phone one minute and negotiating with CEOs from million-dollar companies the next. Competition is at the heart of the head-hunting industry, whether you’re battling it out to source a successful candidate or competing amongst your peers to earn the most commission for the company, students thinking of entering the recruitment industry should do so with their eyes wide open. Mr. Holland suggested that potential applicants should be ambitious and “willing to bite off a little more than they can chew” as the stakes are high, but the rewards are worth the risk.
Considering this challenging environment, why should students consider a career in executive search?
The answer is simple: money. Uncapped commission for placing candidates and large bonuses were the most significant incentives for hardworking consultants at Charlton Morris. Mr. Holland made no secret of the fact that the incredible earning potential of the industry attracts applicants. However, Mr. Holland did emphasise that the introduction of unconventional fringe benefits, such as subsidised gym membership, longer lunch breaks and the development of a more ergonomic work space have been key to improving and maintaining staff well-being. By relieving some of the pressure which this competitive atmosphere creates, Charlton Morris aims to manage the effects of a high-pressure environment and ensure the happiness and productivity of their recruiting consultants. However, although this business has taken action to improve worker welfare, it should be emphasised that the stigma surrounding the recruitment industry is still prevalent today. Head-hunting is still seen as cut-throat and aggressive and for anyone interested in this future career path, consider whether or not you’ve got the stamina and ambition to match.
By Julia Constable
Photo from: (BusinessZone.com)