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"Work hard, work smart!"
I had a few questions to ask Chirag Raichura, associate director in the London office and he shared some great advice for people wanting to start a career in recruitment as well as bouncing back after facing challenging times.
1. How did you get into recruitment?
Like most people, I kind of fell into recruitment and after realising that my dream to become a football agent was going to be very difficult by not having any contacts in the industry, I chose a career that allowed me to use my sales experience and recruiting for the banking industry which I had a strong interest in.
2. What is your advice for someone just getting into recruitment?
It is important to realise that recruitment is a marathon and not a sprint. For people starting out in the industry you should think of recruitment as a career rather than just a job. There will be good days and bad days which is the nature of the role, but the key is learning from the tough moments for the future to make you a better consultant.
3. What is it about recruitment that has kept you in the industry?
The people. This includes clients, candidates and colleagues over the years, many of whom that I now consider close friends rather than work colleagues. Also, it is very true that you get out what you put in and the opportunity to determine your own pay cheque every quarter keeps me going!
4. What is your proudest moment in your career to date?
Becoming a homeowner through the commission I earned in recruitment. It made all the tough times in recruitment worth it.
5. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far and how have you overcome that?
The 2008 financial crash. It was a very difficult time in the market and I was made redundant. I had to start again and re-build my desk in a new organisation which I was able to do successfully through working even harder and adapting to the market conditions to self-teach myself new areas of Finance to recruit into to widen my desk remit.
6. What is your number one secret to success?
Building long term relationships. The whole job is about networking effectively to build your credibility as a consultant in your vertical market. Clients and candidates want a consultant that is credible, honest and trustworthy and if you are able to demonstrate this, you will bear the fruits of these relationships in the future.
7. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
Work hard, work smart!
8. What are you driven by and how do you stay motivated?
Continuing to grow a successful team that is recognised in the industry as the best Financial Services Finance permanent team in the City. I am driven by leading by example and coaching team members to evolve into successful consultants which is very rewarding.
9. What do you think you would have been had you not gone into recruitment?
A failed football agent or a voiceover artist.
10. How do you keep a work / life balance?
Regular exercise, regular socialising and regular holidays!
#TeamEames #WhatDrivesYou #QuickFire10