James
Job title
Recruitment Executive
Company
EMA Partners, London
Industry sector
Executive Search
Background
Degree in Engineering with French.
Career as an engineering officer in the RAF, including three years’ service with the French Air Force.
Joined the international recruitment industry on leaving the RAF.
What’s involved in finding the right person for the job?
We work across a range of industries and recruit people for senior management jobs based in the UK, Europe and elsewhere overseas. When a company first approaches us it’s very important for us to work closely with them to identify the kind of skills, experience and personal qualities needed for the job. Employers don’t always know exactly what they want in a new employee, so we advise them based on our knowledge of the labour market. We then advertise widely and thoroughly screen candidates before putting them in front of the client. It can take up to four months to find and place the right person.
How do you use your languages at work?
My second language is French and it’s been incredibly useful to me in developing business relationships with French companies that use our services. I’ve also used it as a common language with Spanish clients. We operate in a very competitive international market and although most business is conducted in English, understanding the culture of your client’s country can be very important and you only get that through knowing their language.
What skills and qualities are necessary?
Consultants need:
· Excellent communication skills – to deal with employers and candidates
· Good analytical skills – to analyse a company and understand what it does
· The ability to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a candidate and to decide if they’re likely to fit into the work environment that you’re recruiting for
· To be persuasive and good at negotiating.
How do people enter the recruitment industry?
Some join after gaining management experience in another career. For example, I had a career as an engineering officer in the RAF. Others join as graduates in their early 20s. They first become recruitment researchers and spend time learning about different employment markets, for the benefit of consultants. They find out all they can about the opportunities for employment in the sector by reading business journals and foreign newspapers, and they also use the Internet extensively to gather information. The best researchers go on to become consultants.
Any tips?
There are many opportunities in this industry for people with a good business-related degree and second language ability. However, a qualification on its own is not enough. You’ll need to be a first-class communicator in English and if you can achieve the same in your second language you’ll really have an advantage.
Source: Paul Kingston Associates / Connexions