If you’re keen to make a change to people’s lives, recruitment is a great career choice. Here at SThree, we work hard to ensure all our people feel valued and have the opportunity to grow. We spoke with Simon Costa, Client Relationship Manager in Melbourne, to find out a little more about how he’s found working for SThree and the training he’s received.
Simon Costa
Why did you choose a career in recruitment?
I chose recruitment because, as an industry, it gave me an opportunity to complete a job while engaging with people. I personally loved being put in front of people for presentations, loved all types of communication, and allowing my personality to influence the way I did my job.
A job in recruitment provides that, through meeting candidates or clients, presenting or pitching to businesses, and networking at a social or business level through events.
Why did you choose SThree?
SThree won me over for two main reasons. The first was they were able to show how their extensive training and investment in people directly related to career development with examples. I was talked through real case examples of the Perth office at the time, where locals had started with next to no experience and, with the training and development on offer, forged the start of a successful career.
The other reason I joined was the opportunities SThree can offer. As a global company, SThree can offer everything from the ability to learn from counterparts in other locations, to job openings in other offices should you wish to progress your career that way.
Tell us about your progression within the company.
I started with the company in January 2011 working as a permanent recruitment consultant in Perth, focused in the Oil and Gas sector. After a few months in this role, we identified that the vertical market I was working in was more contract heavy, so I became the first contract consultant in the office. I worked across several markets achieving several key milestones and, in late 2014, was given the opportunity to transfer to the Sydney office.
In Sydney I worked across Engineering for roughly 12 months before moving onto a new project, the Melbourne ICT team, where we planned and established our Melbourne presence. In June 2017, I moved to open up our first office in Melbourne. I am now running that office as a Client Relationship Manager and we have great plans to expand our presence over the next 3-6 months.
What training did you receive? What did you enjoy most about your training and why?
I’ve received a great amount of training over the journey. Initially, I was inducted into the company with entry-level training, which covered the basics of recruitment in both a theoretical and practical setting. I went through several training programmes and was also offered on-the-desk training from not only my direct manager, but also the seniors in the team who supported most new recruiters as they started. Since then, I’ve completed several different management and strategy training courses, internal and offsite, which have continued to develop my career.
The thing I enjoyed most about the training, especially early in my career, was the on-the-job support you get from both official training guides and other senior recruiters willing to help. My progress as a recruiter can be put down to two key things; my desire to work hard and the desire of others around me, willing to train me and support me.
How did SThree support you in your career progression?
SThree has a culture of support and I have felt that to the maximum on my journey. I’ve been supported by not only my managers but also the wider team at SThree to successfully do my job but also progress my career. Every idea I have is listened to, even if it isn’t agreed on.
Did SThree support you to achieve a healthy work/life balance and if so how?
SThree actively encourages a healthy work/life balance. Recruitment is an industry where long hours and short deadlines do occur, but SThree helps to encourage flexibility in a number of ways, including remote access, working from home, flexible working times, and outcome based roles.
Are you involved in our mentoring programme? If so, do you think it has assisted with your progression? Or have you helped someone else with their progression?
I am. I have only just started the mentor programme and I have already been assisted. My mentor is a great match for my career progression and has been able to offer valuable insights into not only the Business Development Manager and Client Relationship Manager type of roles, but also how they relate to SThree.
If you’re looking for a new role in a company that will support you, provide training, and help you achieve a healthy work/life balance, click the button below to view our current vacancies in Asia.