I embarked on my recruitment career and joined Urban Connect on the 1st of April 2019, not really knowing what would be in store for me. A leap of faith you might call it, a gamble, perhaps even a jump into the unknown.
Having come from a retail management background I knew first-hand what dedication and persistence felt like, something that was installed in me since a young age as a troublesome twin, but despite all of this, I still had a lot to learn.
My introduction to Urban Connect and its Founding Director, Andrew Kerr still makes me giggle. After meeting Andrew on a train home and discussing aspirations and future goals, we stayed in touch and eventually met again when I interviewed for this position in December.
Fast forward a little, throw in a couple of shadow days spent watching the silent assassin (Rory Carmont), an engineering Christmas networking event and a night out with the CEO of Recruitment Entrepreneur, and my first day had begun.
From day one, I was thrown in at the deep end with my objectives and self-assessment and making my first ‘cold’ calls. Looking back, this was a nerve-racking experience, but it’s this exposure that has enabled me to articulate my thoughts and hone my communication skills, something I feel is invaluable as a recruiter.
Building up a reputation in the industry is hard and nurturing warm relationships is key. Despite the daily challenges that come with a job in recruitment it has been thoroughly enjoyable. I have benefited from an excellent training programme, both classroom and in the office with other, more experienced consultants. Our multi-disciplinary approach has seen me place architects, mechanical, civil and structural engineers and quantity surveyors in my first 6 months. None of which would have been possible without the infinite support from both Urban Connect and Recruitment Entrepreneur.
My career progression is very clearly mapped out in front of me and I am looking forward to a strong year next year and being promoted. Being around the senior guys in the office has taught me a lot about building relationships and of course a few trade secrets behind the recruitment process. I have a backbone of support behind me and am enjoying the true meaning of teamwork - and I’ve still not bought a round!
My role as a solely Architectural Recruiter has morphed over the last couple of months. This has been a direct result of our recent success in winning some huge PSLs, and becoming a one stop shop for the life cycle of construction projects across the UK. I now recruit across a multidisciplinary platform alongside architecture, a testament to our fluid approach.
Last week Urban Connect celebrated its first birthday and I passed my 6 month probation, and I couldn’t be more proud to be part of such a driven, enthusiastic and tenacious team.
