The 8th March was International Women’s Day. This is a day to celebrate the fairer sex but also to recognise that there is still a long way to go to achieve full equality. Admittedly, I made up the “Women In Recruitment Day” bit, but please humour me.
I am a big believer in the cause and would like to dedicate this blog to explaining (in particular) why I think recruitment is the perfect career for the ambitious mum or mum-to-be.
The majority of LMA employees are female, and 25% of them are part-time. Some are parents with young kids, some are parents with older kids and some do not yet have the pleasure of kids. The thing that binds them is an awesome work ethic, an infectious source of fun and the ability to get things done, no matter what.
Sometimes, I think that when someone (male or female) starts a family, their productivity actually goes up. They have something extra to live for, and they will not ever step back from the coalface. I realize that not everyone wants a family, but for those that have one or for those that want one (one day), here are my top reasons why recruitment is a perfect fit for them:
Part-time is an easy option. A great recruiter can achieve a lot, even if they are working part-time. They may take on fewer assignments, but the attention for each assignment is undiminished. They can tailor their work around their schedule, and if it means searching for candidates on LinkedIn in a café while the baby is in crèche for an hour or two, then no problem.
Activity can be ramped up and toned down. For the majority of recruiters without a family, they understand that there is a very real option to stay with their employer when the time comes. Their basic salary may be lower, but the opportunity to earn commission will be the same. One placement a month may not require a huge amount of time for an experienced recruiter, but it will certainly help them out financially. When their kids are older, they can come back to the business on a more permanent basis.
You get out what you put in. There are few other industries where there is such a direct relationship between activity and results. If it is the right activity in the right proportions, you will be successful. Yes, there are a lot of unpredictable aspects. You cannot make decisions on behalf of your candidates or clients, but as long as you aim to put the right people together, much of the time you will be successful.
Women are joining from outside recruitment. Speaking to other owners of recruitment businesses, there is a definite trend for industry experts coming into recruitment. This concerns both men and women, but the benefits for women are especially significant. There are not many more fulfilling careers than recruitment, and we often get candidates enquiring about how best to join the industry.
I love the buzz of running a diverse and dynamic business. I love the stability that I am able to provide my employees. I particularly love the day when someone joyfully reveals that they are pregnant without the hidden fears of “oh no, what is going to happen to my job?”
Recruitment and parenthood (not only motherhood) can work together nicely.