My Journey to TONIC - the RecruitersRecruiter
My Journey to TONIC
Recruitment was never the end goal for me.
I went to university and became an Optician. I thought it sounded professional enough and something my parents could proudly tell their friends... although the number of times I had to remind them that being an optician did not mean I was a doctor and should anyone need medical assistance on a flight, to not volunteer my services!
But I wanted more. Like a house and designer handbags and great holidays and believe it or not, being an optician paid peanuts. I was drowning in student debts so I decided to explore my options and on a Friday afternoon in Windsor, walked into a high street recruitment agency to see if they could give any advice about what my new career could look like...
3 hours later I walked out with a job. I was now a recruiter, working for them and I started the following Monday.
One of the things that has always come naturally to me is my ability to build rapport; I am your typical 'people person' - I enjoy speaking to people and I'm super inquisitive (or nosey as some people would say!)
I have also always been very goal orientated. I have never been satisfied with just 'OK' and whenever I achieve what I've set out for myself, I immediately set my next goal. I'm the sort of girl who loves a list - the satisfaction of ticking things off gives me such a feeling of accomplishment. Sad I know!
Recruitment instantly clicked for me. I couldn't believe I got paid to do something which I came so naturally to me. I'm not saying that the first few years weren't a challenge but I enjoyed every second and my drive for constant improvement and the buzz I got from making placements was addictive.
But as a mother, I struggled with the hours which was expected from a 360 recruiter. Although being a mum in recruitment is more commonplace now; 15 years ago it was assumed that you couldn't recruit full-time and be a good mother. It was at this point that I moved into Internal Recruitment where the work/life balance allowed me to be the businesswoman I wanted to be as well as the mother my children needed.
As an Internal Recruiter, I worked for recruitment agencies to help them grow in headcount with both new and experienced talent. I would run graduate assessment centres on a weekly basis and I'd spend 8 hours a day on LinkedIn headhunting experienced recruiters and networking... It has been my job to know who the best billers and most influential recruiters are in each agency; I then make sure I'm present without being pushy to ensure that when the timing is right and the recruiter starts to consider a move, they come to me before speaking to anyone else.
In the last 15 years, I have worked up from Internal Recruiter to Global Talent Director to now Managing Director...
I have worked for small start-up agencies to award-winning, global consultancies; I have learned something from each and perfected my recruitment skills and established a strong, credible reputation. Everything I have achieved over the last 15 years allowed me to realise my biggest dream last year - of starting my own rec2rec consultancy, TONIC.
‘Rec2Rec’ stands for ‘Recruitment to Recruitment.
At TONIC, we place Recruiters at all levels, from Junior Resourcers to Directors and across various sub-industries like IT, Engineering, Healthcare and Construction (to name but a few) into growing recruitment businesses across the whole of the UK
I wanted to create a business which showed good recruiters, that there are other options that could suit them and their lifestyle more. Whether that is a business which offers more flexibility or a less KPI-driven environment with more autonomy.
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Each business is different and what works for one recruiter, might not work for another. It's all about being valued and finding a 'home' where you are able to be the recruiter YOU want to be.
2022 has been a huge year for TONIC . I onboarded my first Talent Consultant, Jess Findeis . Jess is a seasoned recruiter but new to the rec2rec sector and she's doing amazingly - a total natural. We also just opened our first office in central Reading!
TONIC has been hugely successful - some of this comes down to the amazing partnerships we have with some of the UK's most progressive, supportive and rewarding recruitment businesses.
But it's mostly down to the recruiters who have trusted us to help them with their next recruitment move... check out these recommendations!
I can't recommend Sarah enough! She reached out to me and opened my eyes to a range of different opportunities. She took into account exactly what I was looking for and found me the perfect company. She is responsive at all hours during the day and has done an amazing job finding me a new role - Benji Miller, Lynx
SJ was a breath of fresh air - She was resilient and focused 24/7. SJ helped me every step of the way and gave out excellent advice. I had a lot of interview dates set up through her. I took all of her advice on board and was inundated with offers. Then she went further to help me decide what I wanted rather than push toward the companies that will make her more money. She really cares about the people she is working with. I had my doubts at first, but she completely changed my stubborn ways and helped me get the job I really wanted to do.
10/10 I would happily work with her every day - Jake Lambeth, Dome Recruitment
SJ was amazing from start to finish and listened to exactly what I wanted from my next move and delivered it with such ease and got me my new amazing job within only a few days! She found me the team and company that I've been searching for and hope to have a long career with them! I'd highly recommend her to anyone, she is absolutely amazing and I'm very grateful that she represented me.
SJ you are one in a million! - Charlotte, ARC
So why use TONIC?
As Recruiters, we can all be quick to judge a candidate’s CV or LinkedIn profile. A Rec2rec is able to spot the details, bring out your best achievements and squash any concerns about your experience. This results in your profile being presented to the market in the most impressive, professional and sought-after way.
We give you options - some you may have never considered yourself. This gives you confidence before accepting your new role that you have seen a selection of exciting opportunities so you know you are making the right choice for YOU
We also take away that awkward conversation about salaries and packages - we'll ensure that you get the best offer, from the company you want to work with the most.
We are:
If you are open to your next recruitment challenge - get in touch with either me or Jess Findeis today.
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All conversations are confidential.
sj@tonicpeople.co.uk | 07547116410