My Move From Internal Communications to Recruitment
Written by Natasha Ebdon, Consultant – Internal Communications
After graduating from the University of Leeds in 2011, I was uncertain about my long-term career path. However, I knew I wanted a people-facing role that utilized my language skills, as my degree was in French and Italian. This led me to discover recruitment agencies, and soon I found a position as a Communications Assistant at Alliance Boots (now Walgreens Boots Alliance), where I stayed for over three years, learning a great deal.
Discovering Internal Communications
During my time at Alliance Boots, I realized that Internal Communications was the field I wanted to focus on. When it was time to seek a new challenge, I returned to job boards and recruitment agencies. I quickly noticed a significant difference between the quality of recruitment agencies. Some inundated me with job specs without ever speaking to me, while others, like VMA GROUP, took the time to understand my motivations and the type of company and role where I would thrive.
VMA GROUP became a trusted partner for me. I could have open and honest conversations with their consultants about roles I was interested in. They helped me secure a six-month contract role and later a permanent position at Ophir Energy. Unfortunately, my time there was cut short due to redundancy during a challenging period for the oil and gas industry. However, VMA GROUP was there to support me, quickly finding a three-month contract role while I searched for my next permanent position.
The Transition to Recruitment
After starting a new permanent role, I realized I wanted a change. While browsing LinkedIn, I came across a blog post by Sophie Collins, a Consultant at VMA GROUP. Her insights resonated with me, particularly her emphasis on adding value for clients and candidates rather than just providing a ‘CV service.’ Having had a positive candidate experience with VMA GROUP, I felt aligned with their culture and values.
After discussions with an internal recruiter and other consultants who transitioned from communications to recruitment, I felt confident in my decision to change careers. I’ve now been at VMA GROUP for a year and am delighted with my choice. The satisfaction of helping candidates secure their dream roles and assisting clients in finding great team members is immensely rewarding. I continue to use my internal communications experience while gaining new perspectives.
Challenges and Rewards
Of course, there are challenges, such as delivering disappointing news to candidates or managing client expectations for quick turnarounds. However, the supportive working culture at VMA GROUP and the autonomy my manager provides help me manage these pressures effectively. I encourage anyone considering a career change to have an informal conversation with VMA GROUP—it could lead to exciting opportunities!
