Tumble outta bed and stumble to the kitchen… (my love of 80’s music again) though recruitment is certainly not a 9 to 5 career!
When I first started in the industry a few years ago (roughly speaking) I was told I should feel exhilarated at the end of the day…. exhausted but like I’ve achieved something. Recruitment is fast-paced, demanding and unpredictable, and it can be tough, stressful and soul destroying at times, but for those who thrive in it, there’s nothing quite like it.
A typical day at AllNeeds Recruitment begins around 8.20am. Deep breath, shoulders back and we’re off.
Early Morning
The team grab a coffee and gather for their morning briefing. “Let’s smash it today.. we’ve got this.. teamwork makes the dreamwork” (translates to let’s see what happens and hopefully we’ll survive without losing the will to live by 10:17am)
Open the laptop… here we go.
Inbox (Unread): 547
10% labelled “quick one” (most are not)
10% marked URGENT (most are also not)
20% “just following up from my last email” (sent 12 minutes ago)
20% spam (most of which should come with a health warning)
10% candidates cancelling interviews due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’ 23 minutes before said interview is due to start
10% clients asking for an update (no change since 9:20pm last night)
20% emails you’ve been copied into… for reasons unknown
You take a sip of your already cold coffee.
Mid-Morning
You are essentially outsourced to the phone for the rest of the day…headset on, slightly hunched posture.
“Hi, just wanted to touch base”. ‘Touching base’ has no clear definition, but everyone uses it with confidence, which feels important.
One recruiter is delivering a full motivational speech, “You’ve got this, be confident, smile.” The recruiter looks like they need the speech more.
You’re juggling multiple roles—career advisor, salesperson, negotiator.
You stick the coffee cup in the microwave for the 2nd time today and consider changing careers.
Lunch (exists in theory only)
In reality you:
Take one bite of a sandwich
Screen CV’s like a detective in a crime drama.. “Hmm… 3 months in each role… interesting… very interesting…” You shortlist based on instinct, vibes, and the bare minimum being met.
Forget where you put the sandwich
Timing is everything in recruitment, and opportunities don’t wait for lunch
Somewhere in the chaos there are bursts of laughter. There’s a real sense of pulling together that keeps everyone going heading into round two.
Coffee is basically an iced latte by now.
Mid Afternoon
This is when things get really frantic. Negotiations begin. A candidate wants to be paid more money. The client wants to pay less money. “Let me just see what I can do..”. You become a mediator, therapist and part-time umpire.
Interviews need to be arranged, offers need to be signed, counteroffers need to be navigated, references need to be checked, contracts need to be sent, start dates need to be agreed, everyone needs an update. You need paracetamol and a lie down!
A fresh cup of coffee… but for some reason ‘It’s 5 o’clock somewhere’ keeps popping into your head!
Late Afternoon
Your brain feels like it’s running Windows 98 with a hundred tabs open.
You find the misplaced lunch sandwich.
But interviews are finally scheduled, candidates accept offers, references are confirmed, contracts are signed, start dates agreed and you can feel the thrill of achievement, accomplishment and natural high across the office.
It’s more than a business win, it’s a reminder to us of why we do what we do, because recruitment is more than a profession, it’s the chance to change lives, one placement at a time. That’s why you know that you’ll be back pouring yourself a large cup of ambition along with the cold coffee tomorrow.
AllNeeds Recruitment reached the ripe old age of 27 years on 8th April and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who has been on this journey with me so far.
Along the way I have somehow now ended up owning 2 bars in Tenerife and more recently launched AllNeeds Business Support Services which helps small businesses with financial admin duties including book-keeping, payroll and HMRC compliance, but AllNeeds Recruitment is still my baby, the place where it all began. My bars in the sun are an escape when I feel a bit too ‘exhilarated’ and need something stronger than coffee…
By Debbie Hunter FREC, Director
allneeds.co.uk
