How to succeed as a newbie recruitment consultant

Jody Collings was a hotel manager before beginning her career with Just Recruitment Group Ltd, where she oversees the trainee scheme. She shares her tips to help newcomers thrive

    There’s a sense of excitement when you know you’ve found the perfect person for a vacancy.  

I’ve always loved dealing with people. I think that’s crucial if you want to work in recruitment. You have to be interested in people, and want to understand what makes them tick. That’s how you match candidates to jobs.

Recruitment is a two-way process. It’s not enough to understand a candidate’s needs. You also have to establish a rapport with employers, in order to grasp precisely what they’re looking for.

When I work with our trainees, I concentrate on their communication skills. If you can’t hold a conversation with someone, this isn’t the industry to work in. So much of what we do relies on listening, then responding to what you’ve been told.

Training is vital, but you can’t teach everything. I didn’t follow a formal training programme when I started working at Just Recruitment four years ago. I learnt on the job, and picked up skills by observing colleagues.

Our trainee scheme is intended to equip the next generation of recruitment consultants. It’s a real privilege to be involved in mentoring this group of new recruits. They’re all eager to learn, and ask loads of great questions.

You can’t be half-hearted about working in recruitment. Ours is a hard-nosed, demanding industry. If you succeed, the rewards are fantastic. But you really need to crave them if you’re to thrive.

Effective recruiters have inquiring minds. Yes, we tend to be great talkers. But unless we know what our clients need, and what our candidates are looking for in a job, we won’t stand any chance of bringing the two together.

Our trainees are like sponges. They’re so eager to learn that it’s a joy to work with them. We offer a mixed programme to build their skills, and they’re already showing great potential.

It’s great to be involved in an innovative training programme. The recruitment industry hasn’t always been good at bringing on fresh talent. Just Recruitment’s new trainee scheme is at the vanguard, and I’m proud of what we’re achieving.

I still get a buzz out of placing a candidate. There’s a sense of excitement when you know you’ve found the perfect person for a vacancy. If you lose that thrill, there’s probably not much point turning up for work.

Enthusiasm, commitment, hard work and determination. They’re the characteristics I’m trying to instil in our trainees. Get them under your belt, and you’ll have a bright future in recruitment.

© Copyright Just Recruitment 2018

If you liked this article you may like to read: Six of the best reasons to work in recruitment

You may also like: How do you choose the best recruitment agency for you?

Jobs currently available

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Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £14.30 per hour
Location: Bury St. Edmunds
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary
Job ref: JT-BU-WO-1124
About the role

Looking for weekend work and want to earn money for Christmas?

Just Temps seeks temporary weekend Warehouse Operatives for a company based in Bury St. Edmunds.

This is an immediate start role.

Hours:

Starting Saturday 9th November working 6am to 12pm.
Then working Saturday and Sunday 6am to 12pm until 15th December.

Duties include:

  • Packing and picking.
  • Loading and unloading.

Paid weekly in arrears,  

You must have your own transport due to the company's location.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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New job
Warehouse Operative
Sector: Warehouse
Salary: £11.50 per hour
Location: Roade, Northampton
Role: Full Time
Contract: Temporary to Permanent
Job ref: JT-RO-WO-1124
About the role

Just Temps is seeking Warehouse Operatives to join a company based in Roade, Northampton.

This is a temp-to-perm opportunity role!

Working hours: Monday to Friday. 13.30 to 22.00.

Duties will Include:

  • Sorting plastic from paper.
  • Unloading and loading of lorries and containers.
  • Using handheld scanners to pick and pack.
  • Working within the stores.
  • Other general warehouse duties.

Heavy lifting will be involved.
This company really cares about its workforce and lots of opportunities are available.
An increase in pay is available after the qualifying period.

 

Just Temps acts as an Employment Business for the supply of Temporary Staff.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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Sales Executive
Sector: Sales
Salary: Competitive
Location: Colchester
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913469
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing transport/logistics business, based on the outskirts of Colchester—looking for a proactive and driven 'Sales Executive' to join its well-respected team.

In order to be considered for this role, you must have sales experience, preferably within the transport/logistics sector.

The key purpose of this role is to drive business. Your role will be instrumental in supporting the rapid growth of the customer base.

You will be working closely with the Managing Director and the local senior management team on the continual growth of the company—through the management and expansion of a portfolio of customers to improve market position and achieve financial growth. Previous experience in driving sales is essential.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Building a strong new business pipeline of opportunity, which incorporates the growth of company services, and offers excellent revenue opportunity and margin growth
  • Developing a comprehensive database of prospects on the CRM system, which includes a full record of upcoming tenders over the next 3 to 4 years to ensure new prospects and opportunities are actively managed
  • Maintaining a full understanding of all services, procedures and standards offered by both the company and its competitors to ensure business can be gained and value added at every opportunity, operating within a contract and against agreed terms
  • Building and maintaining key customer relations by arranging regular face-to-face meetings to ensure the highest levels of customer service are being provided throughout the customer's life cycle, resulting in increased revenue
  • Preparing clear, concise and accurate reports both monthly and on an as and when required basis for sales to be measured against organisational strategic targets
  • Working alongside the sector Managing Director and local senior management team to prepare and deliver accurate sales tender documentation, including detailed presentations and quotes for new and existing business to negotiate and close business deals to increase business growth
  • Meeting individual targets set to provide support in meeting both annual Company and Group targets

Your knowledge and experience:

  • Sales forecasts
  • Time management
  • Tracking industry trends
  • Relevant industry experience to enable prospecting new business
  • Experience in managing clients and managing strategic targets and growth
  • Full car driving licence

This role offers Monday to Friday working hours and a very competitive package with the following benefits:

  • Life assurance
  • Pension
  • Opportunity for training and development
  • On-site parking
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Loyalty Awards (recognise employees with 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years of service)
  • Employee benefits and discounts across a range of top brands (including shopping, travel, motoring and days out)

An application for a DBS certificate will be required in the event of the individual being offered the position.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

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