ER Recruitment are excited to be entering our 8th year of business! Whilst this year has once again brought us some great successes including having our MD Eileen as President of the East Midlands Chamber, Team ER winning regional awards, and working exclusively on leading recruitment projects such as Everards Meadows, it has also been an unusual year for businesses all round and our services and support to our candidates and clients has therefore been tailored to reflect the market.
That’s why this year, we’re once again taking inspiration from what our clients and candidates want the most by sharing 8 answers to some of your key questions from the perspective of our MD Eileen (who we consider an expert after 20+ years in the recruitment industry)!
1) Why did you make the decision to start your own business 8 years ago?
Starting up on my own wasn’t an overnight decision, I worked within a large recruitment firm in a senior role providing a great salary, but I wanted to offer a tailored recruitment service, and become true recruitment partners with great businesses across the East Midlands. I also wanted to be in a position to make a real difference within our business community and charities – which is something I can proudly say we do.
2) What piece of advice would you give to somebody hesitating whether to start up on their own?
To have confidence in your offering - who will your clients be? Setting up your own business, you can’t do it all, having the right team and outsourcing outside of your skill set to trusted business partners is really important in the early days.
3) If you had to describe what working in recruitment was like in 3 words, what would they be?
Exhilarating, challenging and rewarding.
Our team often say the most difficult thing about recruitment is that our product is a person each of whom is unique, which similarly makes it the best part too. Recruitment is a job which truly changes people’s lives - this is guidance we give in our training workshops to hiring managers, you never know when it might be you on the other side of the desk looking for a new role.
4) ER Recruitment often talk about DNA, what is the DNA like within your own team?
I have the best team. We respect relationships within our own team, with our clients, candidates, the business community and our suppliers.
Aside to the science behind DNA, we are key believers in attitudes and values – skills can be taught, but the will cannot. This is the approach we adopt when recruiting for ourselves and on behalf of our clients and it’s that matching of values and vision that truly takes a team from ordinary to extraordinary.
5) Your own personal schedule is immensely busy being an MD, President of the East Midlands Chamber and sitting on boards and committees within the community – how do you find the time to do it all effectively?
I am honoured to be involved in so many different areas of business and community where we are truly making a difference. Everything I am involved in has an amazing team of people supporting me who share the same vision and dedication which adds huge gratification. Plus, the benefit of so many people adapting to the virtual way of doing things has had a huge impact on diary efficiency – even our clients are now sending us voice notes when they have quick updates as opposed to emailing.
6) The last 18 months have been turbulent across all industries, what has the pandemic taught you?
It has just cemented everything I already knew – Relationships, integrity and values are truly everything, in and outside of work.
7) How important is CSR within business?
CSR is very important in business, supporting our local communities is crucial. Also, people want to work for businesses where they can get involved. A popular question now asked from candidates at all levels is what a potential employer does around CSR – it can really be the difference between top talent choosing to work for you or a competitor!
8) What does the next year hold for ER Recruitment?
I am really excited about the year ahead! We will continue to invest in our people and technology to attract and retain. We have a solid plan in place and are looking forward to starting a brand-new chapter. ER Recruitment are lucky to work in partnership with incredible organisations and are keen to watch them grow and progress as we continue to place top talent within their teams.
To find out more about our services and how we can support you within our next year of business, get in touch with us – placing talented professionals in successful businesses is #PartOfOurDNA.