I had a few questions to ask Sandi Hein, associate technology consultant at Eames Consulting in Singapore, and she shared his advice for someone just getting into recruitment, the best advice she's ever been given and why she chose to work at Eames.
1. How did you get into recruitment?
Back in my university days, I always knew I wanted to get into recruitment as I enjoyed connecting with people. Perhaps due to my interest in Psychology and through school projects, I also found it interesting to observe people’s characteristics and behaviour, and afterwards creating materials to assess these. Thus, it was more of a question about internal or external recruitment for me.
2. What is your advice for someone just getting into recruitment?
Be prepared to get rejected, and don’t take it personally. It’s easier said than done, but you will get used to it with time. Also, to remember that our mental barriers are usually greater and more exaggerated than physical ones.
3. What is it about recruitment that has kept you in the industry?
I feel that it is the aspect of being able to interact with different types of people with various needs and abilities. It gives a great sense of achievement when you do the right matching of person to the role.
4. What is the proudest moment in your career to date?
When a few of my candidates told me that interacting with me felt different and more comfortable compared to some of the other recruiters they spoke with. This is regardless of whether the candidate was placed. I especially feel accomplished, knowing that I managed to give a different portrayal from the negative stereotype that candidates sometimes have about recruiters.
5. What is your number 1 secret to success?
Showing genuine interest in your candidates and clients.
6. What’s the best career advice you’ve ever been given?
You aren’t asking for a favour, you’re partnering to provide opportunities.
7. What are you driven by, and how do you stay motivated?
Sense of achievement where I can view the impact of my work in real-time.
8. What do you think you would have been had you not gone into recruitment?
Probably in HR, maybe in the Learning and Development department.
8. How do you keep a work/life balance?
I’m still working on this but I try to make time to do things I enjoy with my loved ones.
10. Why Eames?
I was attracted by the promotion of learning and development (regardless of seniority level) and structured career paths within the company.