5 things I’ve learned from 10 years in recruitment

A career in recruitment is fast-paced, exciting, and highly dynamic. I am currently the Director of Michael Page Taiwan, but I started my career in recruitment 10 years ago as a graduate. This experience has given me valuable insights into career motivation and what it takes to find success. 
I started with PageGroup in late 2007 in Brisbane, Australia as a graduate. After over 6 years and progression into a management position, I decided it was time to explore global opportunities within the group. I wanted to make an international move to expand my skillset, challenge myself in a new market and progress in my career. My first international move was to Hong Kong where I had the chance to move to a new discipline and manage a much bigger team in a blooming market – and the opportunities have only grown since then.  

Looking back at 10 years in recruitment, here are 5 important things I’ve learned. 

1. Take advantage of new opportunities when you can.  
I really enjoyed my time in Hong Kong and learnt a great deal, but when I was presented with the opportunity to relocate to Taipei to head up the Michael Page business in Taiwan, it was an opportunity that I could not refuse. 
My move to Taipei threw a new set of challenges at me, including the opportunity to quickly step into a more senior role which has been highly rewarding and has helped me accelerate my personal development and career. It is a very exciting time for Michael Page in Taiwan with our business growing at a rapid rate. 
2. Networking is the best way to settle into a new role and country.
Moving to different teams in different countries does have its challenges. You have to start again with respect to your personal and professional networks – and these are essential to your success in a new place.  
My experience has taught me that time spent building up these networks and relationships is time well spent. Be proactive and embrace any chances to network that you can find. The more you work at these relationships, the quicker you will build up professional contacts, and a good friendship group, which is a great way to settle into life in and outside of work in a new country. 
3. Keep finding new aspects of your career to stay interested. 
Working in recruitment is highly challenging but it is also highly rewarding. I have definitely had my fair share of tough times in the industry, but I have been able to push through the challenges by having a positive outlook with a long term view.
One of the great things about working for PageGroup is that if you really love recruiting, you can do this for the life of your career, but if you want to try your hand at leading teams and developing people, you can steer your career down this path. Whilst I am still involved with recruitment, my role is becoming much less about recruitment and more about leading our business, developing people, determining and driving our strategy. Finding these new aspects within my career has made a big difference to my engagement and motivation throughout the years. 
4. Be confident in the value you bring to a team.  
It has been interesting working with different teams and individuals. I have made a few moves now and have found that by being willing to take a chance, whilst having the confidence to back myself to make the change work, that I have really been able to progress my career. The key has been to know that there is value in what I can bring to a new team. 
There is a great deal of value that anyone can bring to any new situation, whether it’s a different outlook, an advanced skill, or any other insights gained throughout your past career experience. The confidence of knowing that you can bring value to a new environment helps you integrate into a new team and generate buy-in quickly. 
5. Enjoy the success of others as much as your own.  
Recruitment has a big element of helping other people and through this I have learned to enjoy the successes of others. I have interviewed many candidates over my 10 years with PageGroup. In some cases I have been able to secure a candidate their dream job, and in some cases it has been some simple career advice that has really helped that individual. 
I have helped some very senior candidates secure senior executive roles but I have also interviewed and helped less experienced candidates in particular when hiring for our own graduate roles. One of the most memorable situations was a candidate that I interviewed for a graduate role with Michael Page a number of years ago. This particular candidate arrived for the interview presented very casually and having prepared poorly. The interview did not go very well, but I took the time to give the young man some advice on appropriate interview attire and how to prepare for an interview. 
Six months later I received an email from this young man thanking me for the advice and letting me know that he had secured a graduate role with a top bank which he believed my advice had played a role in him securing. 

Keep learning

PageGroup is a great company to work for but recruitment is not an easy job. To be successful in this industry you need to be willing to put in the hard work and be able to mentally re-set when times are tough. In my 10 years with the company I have been challenged, but I have grown significantly personally and professionally and have seen a great deal of progression for which I am very grateful.
Get in touch to learn more about recruitment career opportunities with Michael Page.