26 November 2020
Tell us about your role and how long you’ve worked for FirstPort
I have been with FirstPort for nearly four years, joining as Resourcing Partner, and then promoted to Resourcing Manager. I manage a team of three amazing resourcing partners who support the business with our recruitment needs as well as our employer brand strategy, which is all about getting people excited about a career at FirstPort.
What do you do in the first hour after you wake up?
I normally do a workout, have a coffee and take my dog for a walk. Lockdown has given me the opportunity to value being outdoors, and take time for myself, clear my thoughts and make a list of what tasks I need to tackle that day.
What do you like most about your job?
Seeing people I have helped recruit into the business succeed! Hearing their success stories of bringing value to the business and to our customers, seeing their promotions, or celebrating work anniversaries genuinely gives my heart a warm fuzzy feeling!
What challenges do you face?
My customers are both my internal colleagues, who often have time pressures on their recruitment, as well as external candidates. So being able to recruit quality candidates in the shortest time possible whilst still maintaining a high level of service is sometimes challenging. I recruit all our support function roles, as well as senior hires, so I often have to juggle many different things at once.
What led you to take this opportunity?
After University, I had been in agency-side recruitment and really wanted to make a difference to one organisation. The internal role at FirstPort came up, and although not knowing much about the business, when I interviewed, I fell in love with both the opportunity and the vision of what they wanted to achieve. I am lucky that feeling hasn’t changed.
What is your greatest achievement?
Professionally, being part of establishing an internal resourcing function, and seeing it grow into a value adding, respected part of the business.
Personally, buying my first house, which luckily, I moved into just before lockdown.
Who is your inspiration?
I am fortunate enough to have been surrounded by strong women in my life. My Mum, Sister and Nan’s. They taught me that I can do anything I put my mind too, and that I always deserve to have a seat at the table.
What keeps you busy outside of work?
My puppy, he has made lockdown for me. Forcing my attention away from work, putting a smile on my face, and forgetting what is going on in the outside world. I have learnt a lot from him, he just lives in the moment, eat, play, sleep, and repeat.
What personal goal have you set yourself this year?
When restrictions have lifted, I will never turn down an invitation again. To spend, as much time with the people I love as I can. In addition, to start horse riding again, I used to as a child and loved it. Now living by lots of countryside, I feel it is time to saddle up again.
What is one thing that people may not know about you?
I am a grade 8 trained ballet dancer, unfortunately due to a knee injury I had to give up my dream of being in Swan Lake! As I get older and the injuries more frequent, the ballet shoes are definitely hung up for good.
