Starting any new job is challenging, but when it’s a totally new direction or industry, then loads of support is required! That’s what got me thinking about tools for when you begin a new role. What helps you settle in?

I’m a consultant at Madison Recruitment, in our Auckland CBD office. I’m a first-time recruiter and I’ve only been in the industry for eight months. As a ‘newbie’, I felt it would be beneficial for me to share some useful information I’ve gathered during my own transition into this exciting and rewarding industry, to help anyone else considering a similar move! I learned a lot of these tips in a hands-on environment, working alongside some of the best recruiters in the business.

My top 10 tips:

1. Listen, and take notes

Like with every new job, there’s a lot to learn when you first start in recruitment. One of the first things I said was “Oh no, I’m not a note-taker”…well, I’m definitely a note-taker now! Grab a fresh new notebook because decent notes will save you and mean everything during the times when you really need them. While your new colleagues and clients will of course be happy to help, you don’t want to be asking non-stop questions too far beyond those early days.

2. Make the first call

We all know that putting yourself out there can be nerve-wracking, especially when you’re in a new role or industry. However, the longer I waited to make my first call to a client, the more challenging it seemed! I felt like I would make a mistake or say the wrong thing. Remind yourself, it’s just a conversation. If you stumble over your words, fluff what you were trying to say, or make a mistake, you can ALWAYS come back from it. The first call is a challenge, but just bite the bullet and do it!

3. Verbalize yourself!

As difficult as it may seem, asking questions is SO important. It’s an essential component of learning the ropes in any new job, but especially if you want to be a good recruiter; you need to know what your clients and candidates think and how they feel. Don’t worry about asking the wrong questions; if I had a dollar for every time I asked a ‘stupid’ question, I’d be shouting everyone lunch on Friday. Truly, there is no such thing as a stupid question. It all helps to build rapport, show an interest, and gather information.

4. Put in the hard yards

Working in recruitment is not always your standard 9:00am – 5:00pm job. The reality is that you do need to have a bit of flexibility. For example, it’s not unusual to find that potential candidates can only talk before or after work. This doesn’t mean you need to work ridiculous hours, it just means adapting your day to suit the needs of your customers, which is relevant to any role where you’re interacting with people.

5. Do your research

No matter what meeting you’re going to, make sure you do your research. Your goal should be to know who you’re talking to, as best you can. Search the web and find out a few details about the person or people you’re meeting. It will give you context, and it gives any meeting a personal touch.

6. Involve yourself

Working in recruitment you’ll find there will be a steady stream of breakfasts, seminars, webinars, and client events (covid-permitting!). You 100% do not need to attend them all, but like any role where networking is key to success, it’s well worth figuring out which will suit or benefit you most, and going to the ones you can. You’ll meet some awesome people and create connections that will benefit your day-to-day job, and career.

7. Find your team

Having a solid relationship with your peers is important in most industries, but especially in recruitment. It’s an exciting career that’s full of highs…but there’s also lows. Find the people who will be there to pick you up and support you during your losses, who encourage you to grow, and most importantly, celebrate your wins.

8. Learn from your mistakes, and those made by others

We’re all familiar with that sinking feeling you get when you realise you’ve made a work-blooper, but it’s inevitable; in a fast-paced working environment, sometimes mistakes will happen. When you make a mistake, the best approach is always to own it, and to rectify it as soon as you can. The best way to avoid making the same mistake again (or avoid ones you see others making), is to identify why the mistake happened in the first place. Whether it’s being more careful inputting data into your system, or pausing before sending that email, learning from your mistakes will save you time and stress in the future.

9. Remember: everyone is human

Sometimes, meeting a client will seem very scary. In any role or industry, having the mindset that someone is ‘above’ you, can really ruin a meeting. Remind yourself that everyone is only human, and we are all equal. Be confident in yourself, and your abilities. If you treat people with respect, they’ll do the same for you.

10. It just keeps getting better!

Like I’ve said before, recruitment has its highs and lows, and it can be a rollercoaster of emotions. But I like to believe that for every loss, there are 20 wins to come! Some days can be challenging, but if you roll up your sleeves, do the hard work, provide the best possible service to your candidates and clients, then the wins just keep getting better.

That wraps up the key things I’ve learned since beginning my recruitment career last year. I’m certainly finding Number 10 is true in 2022 – it’s a challenging but fun time to be working in this industry. Hopefully, my list will benefit anyone who’s new to recruitment or any other job, or thinking about changing their career path. Good luck!