My Life as a Recruitment Consultant: James Conlan

Welcome to the next instalment of our series "My Life as a Recruitment Consultant", where we give you the chance to meet our team, and also find out more about the day to day life of Recruitment Consultants.

James Conlan specialises in recruitment within the Civil Consultancy field in WA. James has a double degree in Journalism/ Arts and also a Diploma in Journalism. He is an accredited member of the RCSA (APRCSA status). James has just under a year of experience, and has quickly become one of our highest performing consultants. Outside of work he enjoys travel, surfing, golf, and socialising with friends.

How did you get into recruitment?

I was a graduate from university that had 2 degrees and a diploma in journalism and couldn't get a job during the financial crisis. I saw an advertisement for recruitment and though "How bad could it be?" Little did I know that it would be the one thing that would completely change my outlook on my career.

How easy or difficult did you find it to pick up the basics of the recruitment role?

I found it fairly difficult at first to get used to being a 'recruiter'. People would give me advice about how to go about the job but my fear of calling people kept me at bay for the first 2 months. Once I pushed through that barrier it became surprisingly easy to pick up the basics of recruitment.

What sort of things do you do on a day to day basis?

While each day is different, my day usually consists of developing client contacts above anything else. Keeping a good relationship with existing clients while trying to open up new ones is just part of the job. On the candidate side of things I'm continually interviewing candidates, taking references and giving advice on which position would best suit someones skills.

What are the best parts of the job?

The best part of recruitment is the roller coaster ride. I can't think of any other job where your fortunes can change so quickly. One day may be the best professional day of your life and next day could be the worst. You never get bored with that feeling. If you can learn to bypass some of the downsides of the job then recruitment can be truly rewarding.

And which are the worst parts?

The worst part of the job is when things don't go your way - whether it be a candidate not taking a job or a client that no longer wants to use your services. From my limited experience, the highs far outweigh the lows but it's how you deal with the lows that will show how successful you can be. Persistence and hard work will always pay dividends.

What was the biggest mistake you made as a novice recruiter, and how did you deal with it?

The biggest mistake I made as a recruiter was thinking that I was annoying clients every time I rang. I came from part-time employment where the saying 'the customer was always right' was considered bible truth. In recruitment I thought that clients were the 'customer' which was a huge mistake. Once I got better at the job and realised that these clients needed us to survive then I was more willing to pick up the phone.

How do you think the recruitment industry is perceived by our clients and candidates?

I think the recruitment industry is perceived as a necessary tool to keep industry moving, however, the perception of recruitment consultants is something different entirely. I do believe that clients and candidates are not always aware of how recruitment consultants work and have a stereotypical idea of a recruiter as a used car salesman. The only way to change that perception is to do your job to the best of your ability and to show them that these stereotypes are false.

How do you differ from your competitors in the same field?

I differ from my competitors by having more resources at my disposal, whether that be a database of 50,000 candidates or one of the largest advertising budgets in the country. I personally believe that nurturing long-term relationships is far more important than grabbing commission from a client and leaving them in the lurch. When clients understand that you're there for the long-term, their entire way of dealing with you and your company changes.

What advice would you give to someone considering a career in recruitment?

My advice to potential recruiters out there would be that motivation is the thing that will make or break you in this business. This job presents you with constant barriers to your success and if you give up too early then you won't get anywhere. If you have the drive and tenacity to persevere then the rewards can be amazing.