Meet Nina who works for us in Sydney.
She gives us her thoughts on recruitment as a career, her success and how it will help trainees she mentors in the future.
Q – How long have you worked in recruitment?
A- I’ve working on recruitment for 9 years. My entire career have been in tech recruitment and just in Sydney. Out of the 9 years I’ve been with CoTalent for 3.5yrs
Q- What do you specialise in?
A – Mobile Engineers (iOS & Android), Javascript Developers and I also work our senior/exec roles like Head of Technology, Development Manager etc in Sydney
Q – What has been your biggest achievement so far?
A – Having worked in recruitment for 9 years I’ve had a number of big achievements. As a leader I’ve trained and coached a number of rookies who are now successful consultants. As a hands on billing consultant myself I’m looking to bill a million dollars this financial year for CoTalent. I don’t know many people who have done this so it’s a huge milestone for any recruiter.
Q – How quickly did you progress to where you are now?
A – I won’t deny the first 12 months was a tough slog but in my 2nd year I quickly excelled and by year 3 I became a team leader progressing to a billing manager by year 4/5. With the right training and a great environment where you can surround yourself by high performers you can quickly progress.
Q – What did you do before recruitment?
A – My dream was always to work in fashion so having spent 4 years completing my fashion design degree I relocated to London where I was a Fashion Buyer for Ted Baker.
Q – Why did you get into recruitment?
A – If I’m honest at the time I didn’t really know what a recruiter was. Many of my British friends were working in the recruitment industry and suggested it to me. Given the fashion industry was difficult to break into I decided to see what recruitment was all about.
Q – What were your first few months like?
A – Hell! In the early days it was without a doubt the toughest job I’ve ever done. And there were so many days where I wanted to quit but I’m so glad I stuck it out as I can’t imagine there are many other jobs that can reward me in the same way.
Q – What was the best piece of advice you ever received?
A – Call people back when you say you will. In my 1st year I had to make so many clients calls because no one knew who I was and I had no relationships. I remember a call I made to a tough client and he said “call me back in 6 months and if you’re still at the same company I’ll let you work with me”. 6 months later I called him on the day no later and he remembered our conversation. I soon became an exclusive partner and built a solid relationship. Integrity – do what you say you’re going to do. Not many people do in this industry.
Q – What has made you so successful to date?
A – Being myself. Being genuine and likeable I guess. Having integrity and following through with what I say I will. And lastly I would say my work ethic and drive has got me to where I am today.
Q – What do you still love about recruitment now?
A- I love that my candidates are now my clients. I love that I’m still learning and developing my skills. I love passing on and sharing my skills to coach and train others.
Q – What can you bring to a trainee?
A – A wealth of knowledge in recruitment as a high performer and a million dollar biller. A proven track record of training rookies into successful consultants and a 9 year network with both clients and candidate in the Sydney tech community, some of which are exclusive relationships.
Q – Why is CoTalent the best possible place to start a career in recruitment?
A – We have an awesome training program and being a boutique we have time to tailor the program to each individual giving them 1 on 1 attention. You get to work in a high performing environment that pushes you to be the best yet it’s open, collaborative and you’re highly supported. Lastly you’ll follow best practices and be set up for success.
If you want to learn recruitment from a million dollar biller please send your CV to talent@cotalentgroup.co.uk