A Recipe for Better Recruitment Experiences
If there’s one thing my love of baking has taught me, it’s that good results never come from taking shortcuts.
You need the right ingredients, patience, and consistency… and even then, it doesn’t always go perfectly the first time.
In many ways, that mindset comes from my upbringing. My parents moved from Kosovo before I was born and built everything they have now from the ground up. They had no shortcuts to take, no safety nets to fall back on, just a belief that opportunity was worth chasing, no matter how hard things got.
I can’t overstate how much growing up around that shaped how I see the world now. I learned to respect effort. I understood that behind every opportunity is sacrifice and persistence. And I knew from a young age that a “chance” can mean everything to someone. That perspective has stayed with me (along with my love for my Kosovan roots), and it’s a big part of why I chose recruitment.
After graduating with a degree in Psychology, I wanted a role where I actually got to work with and connect with people – with their stories, their ambitions, and where they’re trying to get to in life.
Understanding People Before Roles
Before I found recruitment, I worked in a range of customer-facing roles in fast-paced environments.
In those roles, I didn’t have time to overthink, and had to learn how to stay calm, adapt quickly, and understand people as they are, no matter who they were or where they were from. Whether it was resolving issues, supporting someone who needed a bit of extra care, or simply making sure someone felt comfortable, those experiences taught me how to communicate properly and listen with intention.
Working with vulnerable families as a support worker helped learn something even more important – that context matters. Everyone’s situation is different, and how you approach people should reflect that.
Looking back, those experiences really shaped how I approach recruitment today.
Starting Fresh in Tech Recruitment
Three months ago, I joined PiC as a Junior Recruitment Consultant, taking my first steps into the world of tech and financial services recruitment. I’m part of a small, close-knit InsurTech team – there’s just the three of us – and it’s made the experience even more hands-on. Being in a team that size means you’re involved in everything from the start. You see the full process, contribute early, and learn quickly because there’s no room to sit back – you’ve got to take the initiative.
I can’t lie, there’s been a lot to take in. New terminology, new markets, and a completely different way of thinking about roles and industries.
But what gets me excited to go to work in the mornings is the environment.
At PiC, everyone feels genuinely supportive. You’re encouraged to ask questions, take your time to understand things properly, and learn through experience (trial and error!). That’s made a huge difference in how I’ve approached these first few months – not rushing to get things right straightaway, but being okay with getting some things wrong from time to time, so long as I’m always focused on building real understanding.
One moment that really stood out early on was when we worked together as a team to deliver a high volume of profiles for a major client. It was fast-paced and pushed me straight out of my comfort zone, but it showed me how much can be achieved when everyone works together and supports each other. Oh, and I also love the rewards we get for hitting targets – not just because of the benefits, but because nine times out of ten we have to push through many barriers to get there, which makes it all the more satisfying when we finally do!
What Candidates Have Taught Me
So much of what I’ve learned has just come from conversations with my clients, and that’s another aspect I really enjoy about this role.
I learn on the job through my lovely colleagues, but also through the candidates I speak to every day. Admittedly, it takes patience on both sides. People often have to re-explain things, break down technical concepts, and walk through their experience in detail.
But over time, things get easier, and even in three months I’ve noticed a big difference in my understanding of the market, and my insight into what’s really going on across different roles and companies. That knowledge has allowed me to have more meaningful conversations and contribute more confidently in a short space of time.
It’s something I really value, especially being early in my career.
Making Recruitment More Human
In baking, the little details matter most – the timing, the measurements, the care you put into it. And recruitment is the same.
I know for a lot of people, the process can feel rushed or transactional. Conversations can feel surface-level at best, and it’s easy to feel like you’re just another name being dropped into a big, overwhelming system.
So I make a conscious effort to approach it differently.
I want conversations to feel natural and inquisitive. I want people to feel heard. And I want the process to feel like something they’re an active part of – not just something they’re being pushed through because it’s someone’s job to do it.
Not every outcome is perfect, of course. But the experience itself still matters. How someone is treated during that process stays with them, and it can boost or lower their morale for the rest of their job searching experience.
Growing With Purpose
The most rewarding part of recruitment for me is everything that goes into getting the right person for the right role.
It takes a lot of time and effort, often with setbacks and moments where things don’t quite come together they you want them to… but that’s what makes it meaningful when they do.
If you know me, you’ll know that I’m a little baker in my free time. I’m always trying my hand at baking something new that I’ve seen at a shop or on socials. It gives me a chance to slow down, focus, and create something from start to finish. It’s also become a small way for me to connect with the team – whether that’s bringing in homemade cookies or just sharing something simple that people can enjoy and brighten up their day a little bit!
It might seem like a small thing, but it reflects something I value – putting real care into what you do and creating something positive and memorable for others.
That’s the same mindset I always try to bring into my work.
I’m still early in my career, but I’m building it with patience, consistency, and a focus on doing things properly – the same principles my parents passed down to me.
Because when you get those right, the results speak for themselves… and are usually sweet!