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"Do the small things well, and the bigger things will take care of themselves."
I had a few questions to ask Abigail Moss, associate technology director in London, and she shared what's kept her in recruitment, the challenges she has faced, the proudest moments in her career and why she chose to work at Eames.
1. How did you get into recruitment?
Like many grads, I registered with recruitment agencies to try and find a new role. They seemed to have fun doing what they were doing, and I was convinced I could do it just as well. That was in 2007, so I think it "stuck!"
2. What is your advice for someone just getting into recruitment?
Do the small things well, and the bigger things will take care of themselves. I know it sounds cliched, but it's very easy to try and cut corners then start talking about "luck." You won't need the luck if you've laid the groundwork!
3. What is it about recruitment that has kept you in the industry?
I think that the "lifers" in recruitment are wired slightly differently to most people. I love that I can continuously create opportunities for my own development whilst simultaneously creating opportunities for candidates and clients. As a perm recruiter, the best thing for me is that moment when I realise the broader impact a new role has on someone's life; I am really proud of them too!
4. What is the proudest moment in your career to date?
There is no better feeling as a manager than when you see someone on your team go from "struggling" to stellar. One of my team had a tough Q3, and Q4 was going to be "just about OK", and we worked together to make sure her pipeline was strong. She kept the faith, and as of January 2nd, she was 300% to target for the month and well over her target for the quarter.
I also had my two children very close together and returned on a four-day week for five months between mat leave. I outperformed my entire division in those five months and qualified for a promotion before having baby #2.
5. What's the biggest challenge you've faced in your career so far, and how have you overcome that?
Without sounding dull, Covid–19 hitting. Specifically, it was the adaptation to a drastically different employment market and having to manage a large team, from home, with no indicator as to how long the lockdown would last. We learned how to pull together as a team and create a buzzy atmosphere, despite working remotely.
6. What is your number 1 secret to success?
There isn't just one. Work hard and pick up the phone! Sadly, there is no magic wand to solve recruitment riddles! I would say that working well with your team and being accountable to yourself does massively help, but I've not yet found a secret works-every-time tool!
7. What's the best career advice you've ever been given?
My dad told me to always trust my judgment, as long as I had really thought hard about the situation. So I've always tried to take a moment to think before I react and plan my next steps. It means I'm rarely surprised as I've already mapped out the best and worst-case scenarios, as reality almost always lands between the two.
8. What are you driven by, and how do you stay motivated?
Providing for my family. I want both my children to have strong role models and see that their parents can be present and know that mummy and daddy worked hard so that they could have whatever it is that they wanted.
9. How do you keep a work/life balance?
Planning! I go to the gym early, about four times a week before the kids get up, I set myself "must achieve goals" each day, and they have to be done - anything else is a bonus. I regularly review my work goals so that I am constantly evolving and improving – I'm often asking, "what are the EBI's (even better ifs)?" which means I can continuously see growth. I also plan what I will do in the coming month to have a "thing" to be excited about. And if the plan doesn't come together, I will indulge in a treat, maybe a little self-pity, and then pick myself up and make a new plan.
10. Why Eames?
So many reasons! I was blown away by the professionalism, drive and accountability of everyone I met, but also the people we have here are great people with even better values. From a "tools" perspective, we have an array of tech to assess and support our recruitment efforts, so I really feel that I'm at the cutting edge of the industry. The business is so well regarded and has a strong client list, but it also has a new business culture, so I was confident that I could land and be successful here too.
#TeamEames #WhatDrivesYou #QuickFire10