Jade, Senior Recruitment Consultant for our permanent Mental Health team, spoke to us to discuss life in recruitment, the biggest challenge she’s had to overcome, candidates monetary benefits and ease of working with an agency, all whilst giving a real insight into the mental health sector from a recruiter’s point of view. Get to know Jade more here:
How did you get into recruitment?
I started in a nursing agency as a credit controller six and a half years ago, after proving myself within that role, I was quickly promoted to working in the sales division of the company. This lead me to realising that recruitment was the career path I wanted to pursue after I really enjoyed it.
How has the mental health recruitment market changed since you first started?
The medical market as a whole has changed quite a bit in the last few years, in terms of the government looking to reduce agency spend, which saw the introduction of the locum capped rates, along with IR35. This has certainly had an effect on recruitment and often made it harder to recruit as doctors have opted to leave the UK or in some cases, left the healthcare profession completely. However, for the permanent team, these changes have actually helped in placing doctors on a substantive basis; now they will get similar pay to locums and also receive additional benefits including annual leave.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
When you place a doctor into a substantive role, you’re affecting more than just their job – it’s their lifestyle too. Whether it means getting them a role closer to home that means they can spend more time with family, or negotiating their salary to give them a well-deserved pay increase to live more comfortably. You’re always affecting the bigger picture and I love being the one to help them secure that role and lifestyle change.
What’s the biggest challenge you’ve had to overcome?
The biggest challenge I’ve found has definitely been within international recruitment, there’s been a lot to understand in terms of the process and procedures in obtaining a license and visa to work in the UK. With this knowledge, we’re able to support people in their job search and in turn have successfully placed overseas candidates into the NHS and private sector. We also work alongside our international team who focus on placing acute overseas doctors, so whatever role you’re looking for – we’ll definitely be able to help.
What makes a candidate stand out for you?
With my candidates I am always honest and fair and really appreciate when I get the same in return. Not only does it create a much better working relationship, but once I have the full view of their current situation, I can then work out the best way to fully support them.
What do you most admire about your candidates?
Their dedication to get to where they are now. The years they have spent in training and education, as well as the money they have spent and continue to pay each year to stay in the profession is so admirable. Statistics show one in four people have a mental health illness, so we are dependent now more than ever on the staff in these hospitals, clinics or community teams to help those in need.
If you could give one piece of advice to a candidate, what would it be?
If you’re looking for a new role then make sure you wait for the right one, it’s out there and don’t take a counter offer – you were leaving for a reason; that’s what I’m here for, to support and help ease the process of finding you the perfect role.
What would you describe are the best benefits of working with an agency?
I always put my candidate’s needs first and work with them to find the right role. I spend time contacting clients for CV feedback, arranging interviews, negotiating a package on their behalf and then supporting them with compliance to ensure a smooth transition at no cost to my candidates. As well as this, I also get new jobs in before they are advertised on job boards or go to other recruitment agencies, so my candidates will always be the first to know.
You know your candidates Jade, so tell us a little something interesting about you?
My motto in life is ‘you only live once’ so when I’m away from work I like to see as much of the world as I can. I’ve been to America, Indonesia and Africa and have ticked off most of Europe now too.
Are you looking for a dedicated and specialist recruiter to find you a substantive role? Get in touch with Jade today:
T: 01277 246886
