The document summarizes an individual's career path from wanting to become a doctor in school to eventually finding a career in recruitment. It discusses his early work with the Red Cross and ambulance service. Though he wanted to study medicine, his grades prevented it. He later saw an advertisement for a consulting role that appealed to his desire to help people, leading him to pursue a career in recruitment instead of medicine. The document provides advice for others starting out in recruitment to be assertive, make decisions without fear of being wrong, and maintain a work-life balance.

1. What have been the highlights?
Coordinating the assignments of approx. 600 temps across 10 military training areas in
Germany in support of the British and US Forces preparations prior to their deployment
into the Iraq in 2003 certainly was a huge challenge – both from a professional and logistics
perspective as well as with regards to moral and ethics.
What did you want to be
when you were at school?
When I was a school boy I desperately
wanted to become a doctor and was
told by everyone around me that this was
my calling, I was always so committed
to helping others. Eager to build my
experience within the field, I joined the
Red Cross when I was 16 and began
working within the ambulance service
when I was 17. However things didn’t
quite work out as I had planned and my
school grades were not high enough for
me to begin Medical Studies as soon as I
had hoped. Some years later when I was
presented with another opportunity to
begin the studies, I had already realised
that becoming a Doctor was no longer
my dream and that I wanted to set off in a
new direction.
How did you start your career
in the recruitment industry?
My vocation has always been to support
other people through challenging times in
their lives. This had clear relevance to my
first job within the Red Cross and throughout
my time at the ambulance service. Then,
when I was becoming dissatisfied with my
long term prospects at the ambulance
service, I saw a newspaper advert for a
consultant vacancy. The role really appealed
as I was confident it would fulfil the
humanitarian part of me, whilst providing a
much wider scope for career progression. I
decided to make it my mission to move to
this industry and to use my skills to support
people from unemployment to employment.
What have you needed along the way?
Clear goals to keep me focussed and a
hunger for responsibility.
What tips can you give other people starting out their career in recruitment?
What would you say you would still
most like to achieve?
As I’m pretty new to Kelly my immediate
professional goal is to get to grips with
my role and develop an understanding of
how the company works so that I can make
a significant contribution to its success.
Outside of work, I’m keen to develop my
technical diving skills starting with a wreck
diving course which I plan on doing
this summer.
This is My Story
Be assertive,
decisive
and brave
Don’t be afraid
of making the ‘wrong’
decision, whatever
happens you’ll gain
invaluable experience
along the way
Approach all
aspects
of your life and work
with passion and
commitment
Schedule in time
to catch up with
yourself, assess your
progress and if
necessary realign
your goals
Take time out to
unwind, relax and
recharge and you’ll be
much more productive
as a result
Carsten Gieren,
Sales Consultant
Director EMEA
How do you choose to spend
your free time?
I love getting creative in my garden and
taking in the fresh air, for me it’s a great
antidote to my busy, deadline-heavy work
life. I also like to keep up a good level
of physical fitness through various sports
including scuba diving, volley ball and
running. In fact in 2009 I completed the
Cologne Marathon
- a challenge I
wouldn’t
repeat in a
hurry but
nevertheless
an awesome
accomplish-
ment that I’ll
always be
proud of.