May The Dreams Of Your Past Be The Reality Of Your Future

Jimi Hendrix, legendary electric guitarist once said, “May the dreams of your past be the reality of your future”.
 

As children, we were all asked what we wanted to be when we grew up. Familiar answers include teacher, doctor, or even an astronaut. Though these careers differ drastically, they all have one thing in common – meaning. A doctor saves lives. A teacher educates the next generation. An astronaut studies how environments beyond Earth can be tapped into to better human lives. Our younger selves placed meaningful work at the core of our dreams and ambitions. However, as we grew up, life’s commitments and responsibilities took over and this sense of purpose no longer remained a driving force for our careers. For me, it was only when I came onboard CTES Consulting as an Executive Recruiter that I finally reconnected with this childhood ambition. In this article, I hope to share some aspects of my job that has been the most meaningful for me. Perhaps, it will inspire you to consider a career in recruitment too. 
 
To most of us, our careers are incredibly important aspects of our lives. We spend two-thirds of our waking day building them. With that much time spent, we deserve to have a career that we genuinely enjoy, feel passionate about, and feel competent in. As a recruiter, there is no better feeling than telling a candidate that they have been offered a job that checks the boxes. That is why I particularly enjoy learning about the goals, aspirations and nuances of each candidate. It helps me to strategize and source for jobs that suit them best. I constantly find it a privilege to be an advocate for their career needs and interests. 
 
Another one of the hats that I frequently put on in my job is that of a therapist. Being in the midst of a career switch or returning to the workforce can be extremely stressful for candidates. It could have been a toxic workplace, unexpected retrenchment, or the inability to secure a job after months of searching. As a result, they often find themselves in a vulnerable place. Aside from guiding them through the job hunting process, we also act as a listening ear and a source of emotional support for them. It is extremely rewarding to know that I have helped to restore some hope in them during times of personal crises.  
 
Being a recruiter also involves building relationships with candidates and clients from various industries. This not only grows my network exponentially but also exposes me to exciting new opportunities. Being able to interact with people from all walks of life energises me. I am never short of an opportunity to learn something new through the many stories and differing perspectives I encounter along the way. More often than not, I end up forming enduring relationships. It is very empowering to know that all this can be achieved through simply connecting with others. 
 
Talent is at the heart of every organisation, and a recruiter’s role is to help organisations fill that talent gap. Recruiters are frequently involved in the hiring of various executive roles and niche positions which are hard to fill. We instil a balance between the type of employees that companies are seeking and what is realistically available in the market. You can think of our role as one that matches a candidate’s aspirations with the needs of an organisation. At the end of the day, we help companies to recruit a quality workforce needed to achieve their organisational objectives. This is what makes us significant players in shaping the organisations of today and tomorrow. 
      
Though a career in recruitment may have its ups and downs, I am always grateful for the sense of fulfilment and purpose I gain in my job every day. It spurs me towards constantly upskilling myself and reaching excellence. If you are new to this field, I hope my sharing has sparked something in you to explore a career in recruitment.