Mandy Blackwell loves recruitment because she was able to change a young man's life by helping him get a good job. She met with a 19-year-old, ST, who had struggled to find decent employment after school and felt his confidence was undermined by low-paying jobs. Mandy believed in ST's potential and drove him to an interview, where he prepared extensively and impressed the client. The client then offered ST the job, where he will earn a good living wage. Mandy felt proud to have helped ST achieve career success at a young age.

1. Why I love recruitment
Today is one of those days I know exactly why I love recruitment, because today
I changed someone’s life. I feel I have once again helped a person start on a new
employment path that will lead them on to wonderful opportunities.
It is not easy these days after leaving school or university to get a foot on the
ladder with a decent company, and it is often such bright candidates that I meet
as I recruit for clients whom I feel most sorry for. They are clearly intelligent,
motivated young people who are ready to find their first job, and to work hard
and learn, but who will give them that first opportunity?
Today I told a nineteen year old (ST) that he had indeed hit the jackpot with a
new job with one of my favourite clients. ST had worked for two companies,
both of whom had paid him a low wage and this had undermined his confidence.
However, from his CV, and after chatting to him, I could see his true potential. I
loved the way he wrote passionately about what he did and why, and I just knew
if I could get him in front of my client, they would see what he was capable of.
Yesterday I picked him up from Lancaster railway station to drive him to his
interview and got to know the real person behind the CV. He had lost his parents
at the age of 14 but was fortunate enough to have had his maternal grandma
close by. He continued to do well at school and on leaving, secured an
apprenticeship. But after completing this, he found himself unemployed. It was
such a shame as he was clearly motivated. He told me that he had studied for
five hours the previous night for the test he had to take at the interview. It was
clear he was a high achiever.
When I dropped him off at the client, and introduced him, then watched him
walk away up the stairs to the interview room, I was rooting for him. Then this
morning the client phoned me up to say they would like to make him an offer. If
he works hard (which he will) he will become a valued member of staff. The
client pays the living wage, so for this young man at the age of 19, he will be
earning more than he could ever imagine!
When I rang him to tell him the good news I felt like a proud parent. I said, “go
tell your Gran that you did really well and they want to offer you the job!”
Today is one of those days when I know exactly why I love recruitment.
Mandy Blackwell
Recruitment Director
Radical Resourcing – ‘Connecting great people to great companies’