My first year in recruitment! - Article by Penny Wallace

06/01/20

My journey in recruitment began here…

By Mid July 2018, I was 1 year and 10 months into my 2 year HR Apprenticeship with E.ON. I had been involved in a variety of project work, HR Initiatives and had the opportunity to work in multiple departments within the shared service. It quickly became apparent to me that my passion was having meaningful conversations, building relationships and supporting people in the development of their own careers and passions.

With that being said I wasn’t sure what was next for me, I’d spoken with a few colleagues about making the move into professional recruitment and they had quickly warned me off. But it still really appealed to me, I like pace, I like variety and I like change.

I’d spoken with a couple of recruiters and was headhunted for various roles within agency recruitment, but they just didn’t tick all the boxes for me. That was until I got the call about an HR Recruitment role with a company called Ashley Kate.

What really stood out to me was Ashley Kate’s presence in the HR Market, their values and how much they had developed in the time they had been established. I did my due diligence and read up on the history of the company, the current employees on LinkedIn and all of these things put together really sparked my interest.

I met with Jacqui Wall, Head of HR Recruitment for 5 years at Ashley Kate and Naomi Asher, who originally set the business up around 18 years back and they really sold the role to me, I left that meeting not only wowed by the business and its values, but Jacqui and Naomi’s journeys and where this could take my career.

I remember being on holiday, in a bar in Tenerife and getting the call from the consultant I had been working with. “They want to offer you the role” I WAS SO EXCITED – that could’ve been a combination of the sun and cocktails as well but I felt so relieved to know I had my next step in my career set with a fantastic business, who ticked every box for me.

18 months later and I haven’t looked back.

I have had so many fantastic opportunities so far in Ashley Kate, from meeting with candidates and clients at all levels. Working with HR. Directors of multi-million-pound corporations and supporting them with the development of their own workforces, working as a true partner, having meaningful conversations and building a network of HR Professionals who majority of which I now get on with like friends.

I’ve attended employment law events, connected with candidates and clients at all levels and got to know them not only as a business but also as people.

As much as I have been raving about the role and the business, in general, it really is my manager and my team that make all the difference.

The team dynamics we have here are second to none, fun, friendly and full of healthy competition which makes the days go by faster. I have learn so much in my short time here, made friends and connections that will last forever and found a job where I can see myself staying and developing.

Jacqui Wall has been a true inspiration to myself, a true leader who motivates and instils confidence in her employees. I have learnt so much from Jacqui and Naomi and they have made the transition into recruitment such an enjoyable experience.

I now have a clear vision of where I see myself in 5 years’ time and where Ashley Kate is heading.

In summary, Recruitment is nothing like the warnings I was given, I suspect some agencies aren’t as great as the one I was blessed to join but it’s a shame we sometimes get tarred with the same brush.

I truly think this career move was the best thing I have ever done and I look forward to continuing to grow, learn and develop alongside Ashley Kate in 2020!