#1 Tell us your role and what you do at Step.
I am the new University Account Manager, which means I oversee the relationships with our University partners who choose to outsource their Industrial Placements. My role is to encourage and enable our fantastic student candidates to find sustainable and meaningful placements to start their career. I also support our business clients throughout the process of finding the ideal candidate from our exciting pool of new talent to help their business flourish and grow.
#2 What’s your background?
– How many years of experience do you have?
I have over 15 years’ experience working in Further and Higher Education in Business Development and Project Management roles, working with candidates as well as local and national businesses across all sectors, with Engineering as my sector specialism.
– What industries/sectors have you worked in?
I have had experience over the years working in all sectors of Business and Professional Services, Automotive, Engineering and Technology, Construction, Health, Science and Care and Education. Engineering is my particular specialism, as I am fascinated by the scope and dynamic nature of the sector.
Tell us your role and what you do at Step.
As someone who thrives in a collaborative and positive culture, I am excited to join Step as they are a dynamic, forward thinking and closely knit team who are genuinely invested in the wellbeing and success of their individual candidates and clients. I am an enthusiastic about supporting new, emerging talent into industry and helping them find meaningful roles where they can thrive and grow. It is incredibly rewarding and to see individuals progress, and seeing how the employers nurture their talent as they benefit and shape their workforce.
#3 What do you enjoy most about your role?
– Is there anything you’re particularly passionate about?
As a qualified teacher I have a passion for lifelong learning and skills development, and throughout my career I have found it extremely rewarding supporting individuals into sustainable and meaningful training and employment opportunities and watching them progress.
I really enjoy building long-lasting relationships with a wide range of business clients and external partners, while helping them realise effective solutions to support their business growth, and linking with other industry partners to explore future opportunities.
I am always excited when I have the opportunity to find creative solutions to challenges, whether it be a solution for a particular business, a candidate’s training and development or a whole project, and I am driven by seeing positive results and impact.
– What kind of impact do you like to make?
Within my role I am looking forward to ensuring every individual student from our brilliantly talented cohorts has the best possible opportunity to step into their perfect role, contributing to the next wave of talent for our engineering and food science sector.
#4 How do you support candidates and/or clients in your role?
– Feel free to highlight any unique knowledge or experience you bring.
As a mentor and teacher I have many years’ experience working 121 with candidates to help draw out their specific skills and help direct them to an ideal role to suit them. I also have a bank of skills and knowledge built over years of working with clients from micro and SME to large global businesses, providing training and recruitment solutions tailored to their specific needs. I believe in being flexible, approachable and work with integrity and clarity.
#5 What’s one top tip you’d give to graduates or students looking for a job or placement?
One top tip I would give to any candidate looking for a graduate role would be to always prepare questions to ask at your interview. Not only is this important to show the interviewer that you are genuinely passionate and interested in the company and the role, but you will be committing a lot of your time to working so it is important you take every opportunity to find out as much as you can to inform your decision. You could ask about potential training or activities within the role itself, or even about the company as a whole and what it is like to work there.