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"Be passionate about everything you do and always keep learning."
I had a few questions to ask Rafaela Fakhre, senior consultant in London and she shared some insight on how she stays motivated and her secrets of success.
1. How did you get into recruitment?
I studied Business Psychology and one of the modules was focused on Talent Acquisition, which really interested me. I then got an internship at a recruitment agency and really liked the work. I could see from day one that it could be very rewarding with hard work.
2. What is it about recruitment that has kept you in the industry?
How rewarding it can be with hard-work and the fact that there is no ceiling, even for someone who is just starting. I also like the fact that I am working towards becoming a specialist in the market, and the recognition that comes from it.
3. What is your proudest moment in your career to date?
Being promoted twice since joining Eames a year ago as well as qualifying for Eames’ annual Saffron Club trip.
4. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far and how have you overcome that?
The fact that sometimes you can’t exert all the control you would like in managing processes. If you think about recruitment as a sales job, we sell the most difficult products in the market – human beings. They have specific needs, case by case. They change their minds, things happen in their lives and as such, sometimes you may come across unexpected surprises throughout the process.
I wouldn’t say I have overcome this, but if there is one thing that helps to avoid those surprises is to keep those relationships strong, reinforce the importance of transparency with us, and also to be more empathetic.
5. What is your number one secret to success?
To be organised. Your diary is your best friend. You may have an amazing memory, but without reminders and a diary I think everyone would fail miserably at recruitment.
6. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
Be passionate about everything you do and always keep learning.
7. What are you driven by and how do you stay motivated?
I am motivated by the commitment I have to achieve outcomes (hitting targets, being recognised as great actuarial recruiter in the market… winning new clients, etc.) even when the actual motivation is not there. I am motivated by the outcomes, although I know that in order to achieve those there are plenty of small steps to get there.
8. What do you think you would have been had you not gone into recruitment?
Clinical Psychologist
9. How do you keep a work / life balance?
I believe that the two pretty much walk together, so I try to be as productive as possible during the working hours, as I do enjoy relaxing and exercising in the evening/weekends. However, if I am not productive during the day, I feel that I don’t deserve those “chilling” times. I also try and not be so harsh on myself if I don’t have an amazing week. There are some things that I can’t control, and I try and think about what I could’ve done better (that was under my control) during that week and I apply it to the following one. This makes me feel better.
10. People would be surprised if they knew...?
That I play volleyball although I am 160cm and I am very good at Backgammon.
#TeamEames #WhatDrivesYou #QuickFire10