2022 has been a year of milestones for Concept. We turned 20 and our Senior Recruitment Consultant, Steph, celebrated her 10th work anniversary with us.
Many of you will be familiar with Steph, she’s placed hundreds of you in your perfect role and she’s been with us through thick and thin. She’s a constant source of positive energy, patience and support.
To mark the occasion, we’ve asked Steph to tell us more about her background, favourite moments and to share some insights from the last ten years along with what’s next. Read on to find out more.
What made you want to work as a recruitment consultant?
My career started in PR for an agency when I was working in Glasgow, like many recruiters, I hadn’t originally set out to work in recruitment. When I returned to the North East I contacted Concept for support to find a marketing role, other agencies I had been in touch with had no understanding of the creative industry, and really didn’t get what I was looking for.
Following redundancy, a stint with a high street recruiter to pay the bills and the birth of my first baby, I reached out to Jo for support again and she suggested that I join the team. I did that in 2012 and have never looked back since!
Tell us about an important lesson you’ve learnt in your 10 years
Listen! Our candidates and clients are both so important to us and our success as a business, we need to hear them and isolate what they need support with. Understanding their concerns or constraints, whether this is with their current role or recruitment process for a tricky role, gives us the power to support them to get the best possible outcome.
Tell us about your most memorable moment(s)
This is so tough as I have had so many memorable moments in my time here, many of which involve alcohol on some of our raucous nights out! From a work perspective the last two years, post Covid, have been some of the best years of my time here. As a team we came back swinging and I have loved every second. Because we specialise in a niche market, there have been many times recently where I’ve been able to deliver for our clients where other recruiters haven’t been successful which is always very memorable.
If I really cast my mind back, I particularly enjoyed the highly engaging and informative Contentable hosted by the brilliant Di Gates or stuffing my face (for a competition of course!) with Ferrero Rocher at the first Thinking Digital Conference that we sponsored.
From a personal perspective, we don’t work on commission here but when the business does well, we all do well. The success we have had over the last couple of years has meant that after living in our house for over ten years, we were finally able to have our bathroom renovated! We also introduced hybrid, flexible working into our business post pandemic and it’s given me the work life balance that I didn’t realise I needed! I’m able to do a job that I love and be more present for my family which just makes it all worthwhile.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
Supporting our candidates to be the best possible version of themselves and put their best foot forwards, trying my very best to instil confidence so that people feel comfortable and supported every step of the way.
I understand that moving jobs is one of the most stressful processes someone can go through, regardless of the reason, so it’s important to me to always try and support people through this process as best I can.
What’s your biggest accomplishment been?
I think building relationships with some of the best consumer and eCommerce brands in the North East has been my biggest achievement. There is a particular business that we have worked with where the whole digital team has been filled through our support, and I know they’re more profitable as a business for it. Also though, most importantly, the candidates love working there. Supporting our candidates to work in an environment that fits their skills, personal aspirations and generally makes them happy is the biggest accomplishment for me.
Do you have any words of wisdom for anyone looking to work in the creative and digital sectors?
Do your research. Having worked within the creative sector, and knowing the struggle to secure that first ‘perfect’ role following graduation, I know only too well the importance of going to an interview properly prepared and fully understanding the role requirements.
Back in 2004, following my graduation, I had an (unsuccessful) interview with the Director of a PR agency and she told me that ‘knowledge is power’ and she was 100% correct. I never made that mistake again. Waffling on about Posh and Becks when someone asks you about current affairs was not the best way to go!
What do you think the next 10 years will look like at Concept/your sector?
This industry is one of the most fast paced, exciting industries to work in. The next ten years will see another 10 years of changes across the creative and digital market, watching technologies evolve, fashions change, new voices emerge, I can’t wait to see it all!
Concept Personnel will be here for it. We will always be looking forward… Pre-empting those changes, opening conversations, supporting our clients to find the best possible talent to drive their business forward and always going the extra mile.
Thanks Steph! The last 10 years have been a blast!
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to find out more about our and Steph’s journey, or need help with your job search, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
