We’ve spoken to Graduate Recruitment Consultant, Tom Kehoe, to find out what it’s been like for him starting a new job as a recruiter, why he chose a career in recruitment, and what he’s looking forward to most.
What made you apply for a role at Dynamic?
Before starting here at Dynamic, I’d been in a role that wasn’t business orientated; which is what I really wanted to do. And when I looked more into recruitment after seeing the ad, it just sounded more and more interesting. I was already a sociable person anyway, so this was an area where I could really see myself excel.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of applying?
I think you’ve just got to be honest with yourself from the outset: About what your strengths are and if you’d be successful in this role. Because it’s not an easy job, but it’s a rewarding one.
The quicker you learn to handle rejection the better. You know going into this role, it’s going to be something you’re going to have to deal with: But when you go into the situation and face it, it can get you down; and it did get me down.
And the hard work you have to put in. Yeah you can go home at 6, no ones going to tell you off. But if you’ve got a candidate who’s on the fence and you stay late to speak to them? At the end of the day it’s what you’ve got to do; because you’re working for yourself and your own money.
You just have to throw yourself in the deep end. Sometimes I’m anxious before I make a call, especially when I’ve had a string of bad ones: It’s making the most out of the situation that helps me. When I’ve had a bad call, I try to learn from it: Turn something negative into something positive.
What was your first day like?
It wasn’t that long ago but it feels like so much has happened since then. What I remember the most was going round and speaking to everyone, introducing myself. It was great getting a bit of background from everyone, what they do at the company, and getting some advice and a couple of tips.
There’s so many different ways to approach recruitment and taking these tips from everyone is really helpful. The first couple of months is finding your own style. You pick up things from different people, and test them out and say yeah this works for me, or no it doesn’t.
And everyone was really friendly; your first day can be a bit scary so it was really nice to come into a collaborative and friendly environment.
What are you most looking forward to?
It has to be my first deal hasn’t it. The little rituals that happen, when you ring the bell and all the team come over to congratulate you and ask about the deal. It sounds quite funny when I say it, but when you’re in the environment it’s different: Especially when I haven’t done one, it’s really motivational.
What’s the most ridiculous argument you’ve ever had?
It would have to be washing the dishes after tea. When I was younger it used to be something my sister and I would always have an argument over. Obviously we wouldn’t now, but it’s the stupid kind of thing you’re stubborn and argue about when you’re younger.
If you could meet anyone, who would it be?
Jurgen Klopp, an absolute no brainer for me.
What’s an interesting fact about yourself?
When I was a kid, we always used to go on family holidays to Ibiza. Not to the party side, (obviously), but to the rest of the island. And I’m really into the Ibiza music scene: but I’ve never been to the club part of Ibiza despite having been to the island about 10 times. It’s something I can’t wait to do.
Since the time of the writing of this article, Tom’s hard work has paid off and he has successfully placed more multiple candidate, the first of many!