AN INTERVIEW WITH…
STEPH BARBER, RECRUITMENT TEAM LEADER (SALES & MARKETING)
Steph joined Plus One Personnel in 2017 having worked previously in both recruitment and PR/marketing. She currently manages our Sales & Marketing team, recruiting roles in this sector across the region.
Q: Tell us about what you do at Plus One Personnel?
SB: Everybody knows that at its core, being a Recruitment Consultant is about helping clients to find the very best local talent. In honesty though there is so much more to it. On a daily basis I am a teacher, councillor, diplomat, agony aunt, administrator, strategiser, confidant, networker, sales person, marketer, writer and manager, all combining to create a recruitment guru who leads our sales and marketing division!
Q: What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
SB: Working with my colleagues. Whilst we all have our own specialisms, desks to run and challenges to face, it is pure joy being around a team of like-minded people who are each other’s biggest cheerleaders and revel in one another’s successes.
Q: What has been your biggest success in the job so far?
I have recently been helping a candidate who wanted to change her career quite radically. Changing careers, particularly at a senior level can be notoriously difficult to do, however by getting to know her and by understanding the transferable skills she possesses and what she could bring to my client, she was offered a new position after just one interview, and is now eager to start her new career.
Q: If you could give one piece of advice to anyone looking to choose recruitment as a career, what would it be?
SB: Recruitment is a roller coaster ride of a career. Be prepared to work outside of your comfort zone and to ride the highs and lows. Ultimately, if you put the people at the heart of everything you do, you can’t go wrong.
Q: What do you think makes Plus One Personnel unique from other recruitment agencies?
SB: Our values. Many recruitment agencies offer similar services, but it is our belief in our values and our ability to work to these every day that make us stand out from the others. Customer Satisfaction, Intensity, Professionalism and Integrity.
Q: Why do you enjoy working for this company?
SB: There are so many things, the joy of being an extension of somebody’s business, developing lasting relationships, the team, the clients, our reputation, our values, and even more importantly because of our annual ‘Duck-Off’ – you really have to see it to believe it!
Q: What was your previous employment experience before joining Plus One?
SB: Before joining Plus One personnel I worked in PR and Marketing for multiple industries and brands, both agency and client-side. Prior to this though I was a Recruitment Consultant at a high street agency. When I returned to my career in marketing and PR I couldn’t shake the recruitment bug and nothing seemed to fix my recruitment itch. After three years out of the industry, I approached Stuart as I knew Plus One to be a reputable company and begged for my chance to get back into the industry that I know and love.
Q: When you hang up your recruitment boots, what would you like to be remembered for?
SB: INTEGRITY – when you work in recruitment you literally have people’s lives and businesses in your hands and it is a big responsibility. I would want to be remembered for always putting the people first and honouring my commitments. Team wise though, I would like to remembered for always being there with a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on.
Q: The UK is the largest consumer of biscuits in the world (random fact!), so if you were a type of biscuit, what would you be?
SB: KitKat – I’m a reliable family favourite.
If you are working in Sales or Marketing and looking for a new job, or you are looking to hire in this job sector, Steph would be delighted to hear from you. For details of your nearest Plus One Personnel office, please click here to be redirected to our contact page.