12 year old me would never have dreamed that adult me would have a career in recruitment.

As a child, I wanted to be the first female prime minister. That was always the [pipe] dream, until I realised I would have to live in Canberra.



Speaking with peers in the recruitment industry, very few us planned strategy to work in the sector. We all, kind of, fell into it. I was no exception. All it took was an interview with a consultant, who muttered those familiar 7 words: “have you thought about working in recruitment?”

There was Business Development

My first foray in Recruitment Agency Land was nothing less than petrifying. I was in my mid 20’s and felt like the fraud in the room. Let’s chat about business development marketing. I had a sales background but the idea of jumping on the phone and cold calling terrified me. We had a compulsory three hour business development session every Wednesday. Without fail, I would feel physically sick.

Not to mention the migraine-like headache that occurred the closer my bus got to York St. I did, however, perfect taking out my texta and circling jobs in the SMH (that’s a paper newspaper for those not familiar!)

…and Client Visits

Client visits were another component of my job that made my stomach turn.

I experienced sweaty palms on arrival to the prospective client’s office; flushing across my neck & face when asked a question; and would all but hide behind the senior consultant I was paired with.

Not to Mention Candidates

Meeting candidates was another layer of anxiety for me. I was recruiting for technical insurance roles – claims assessors, underwriters, actuaries, etc. I was predominantly meeting with mature applicants who were my father’s age. To say I was intimidated would be an understatement. As a ‘specialist recruiter’ in this very technical field, I was adding very little value to my candidates’ experience.

Embarrassing for me and a waste of their time!

I gave this a red-hot shot for a few years, and then decided to put up my recruitment shackles.

But now I regret leaving!

All that said, hindsight truly is a wonderful thing.

I see now that I was on an upwards trajectory. Had I continued, I would have learned to be the specialist recruiter I was claiming to be and excellently managed all those situations that once gave me near-paralysing anxiety.

At the time, I had no appreciation that I was learning skills that supported the success I had in all the future jobs I performed.

Now, my 40-ish (something) self is still learning every day and I’m very happy that I made a return to Recruitment Agency Land.

New to Recruitment Agency Land? Here are my Top Tips:

1. Stick at it longer! I know it’s easier and largely accepted to make a job move when things get a bit hard, but stick it out and give it a good go.
2. Recruit in a sector you love. It’s always easier to do something you enjoy.
3. Be true to yourself and authentic – always.
4. The razor blade days are always a lesson and the champagne is your triumph!