What was your earliest dream job?

Easy. I wanted to be a radio DJ – specifically, hosting the Top 40 on Radio 1. I was absolutely hooked.

I wouldn’t be surprised if my retirement gig ends up being the resident DJ at the retirement home. Watch this space!

What was your first job in recruitment and how did you come into it?

Fresh out of university in 2000, I was applying for grad schemes and temp jobs when an agency consultant suggested I might be good at recruitment. They sent my CV to their brother, the legendary Aidan Anglin, who’d just joined Parity Resources. The rest, as they say, is history.

Who is your role model – in life or in recruitment?

My parents, Merv and Elizabeth. Both were teachers, and they instilled in me the importance of kindness, treating everyone equally and staying humble. These are the values I live by and bring to my work in recruitment every day.

What do you love most about your current role?

I love working with colleagues from all over the world who share my passion for people. Having genuine connections with an international team feels more important than ever.

What would you consider to be the most brilliant moment of your career?

A week into my first role as an onsite RPO manager at an investment bank, a team member made a typo in a job advert: ‘Shift Operations Manager’ became ‘Sh*t Operations Manager’. We didn’t catch it for 24 hours, and by then, the Evening Standard had picked it up, calling it “the dirtiest job in the City”. Suddenly, every senior leader at the bank knew who I was, so is there such a thing as bad publicity?!

Laugh or cry, what did your most memorable candidate make you want to do and why?

Early in my career, a client called me after interviewing my candidate. They’d only managed to ask one question in a 60-minute interview because the candidate talked non-stop when asked to “Give an overview of your CV”. I was mortified then, but now I can’t help but laugh about it.

What would you regard as your signature tune?

According to my friends Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys. I’ll take that.

The last few years have been a bit of a rollercoaster – what have you learnt about yourself during these turbulent times?

I’ve learned how important it is to separate business success from personal happiness. Tough times always have lessons hidden in them.

What personal qualities do you think are needed to lead through change and uncertainty?

Heart, empathy and the willingness to change your mind without seeing it as a weakness. We’re all navigating uncharted waters, and that’s ok.

Luke Davis, head of RPO Talent Solutions at Matchr, spoke with Roisin Woolnough

Image credit | Shutterstock | Alamy