Meet the recruiting team – Samantha Burchell

We are pleased to present you an array of interviews from our Meet The Team series, where we aim to offer you the chance to know our recruiting team. Today we interviewed Samantha Burchell, one of our senior members with extensive recruitment experience. She started her recruiting career back in 2012, and now she’s the team leader of the Manufacturing & Industrial Division here at Marton Recruitment.

Whether you are a candidate looking for a new job or a manager who wants support in the hiring process, you can contact Samantha or any other member of our team through LinkedIn or by calling at 01233 665775.

1. What was your dream job during childhood?

A teacher or a criminal prosecution lawyer – guess I shall stick with recruitment.

2. What was your first job in your career?

At 14 I started working in a sweet shop on a Saturday, but after I finished university my first full time job was a Telesales Operative at Brakes before I started in recruitment in 2012.

3. How did you find out about your current job?

I had reached as far as I felt I could go at my previous company, where I was doing permanent recruitment, predominately dealing with ex-military personnel. I wanted a new challenge so I had a look at what was out there, saw a job advert for Marton Recruitment and decided to call them and have a chat.

4. How was the hiring process with Marton Recruitment?

Very thorough, although I think Andy may have been trying to put me off the job 😊. We had a phone conversation, I sent him a CV, and we arranged a face to face interview shortly after. We got on well and when he offered the position I accepted, and I am still here all these years later.

5. What do you love most about your current job?

It’s a bit of a cliché but I like helping people find jobs, and I also like surprising clients with the level of detail and care we give for each job we work on. I look after the manufacturing and industrial sector, and I cover both permanent and temporary positions.

6. What do you think is the most challenging part of your role?

Explaining why people may not be suitable for a role that they really want. It is tough, but we can not put people forward if they don’t have the skills required.

7. What do you like to do during your free time?

I love spending time with my 2 boys – we are always trying to find new activities to keep them busy. I also enjoy reading and eating!

8. What advice do you have for a candidate looking for a new job?

Be realistic about your expectations and what you want to achieve – also really think about the reasons you want to leave your current position. If you do not know why you want to change jobs you will not be happy in a new position long term. Also be completely honest with the recruiter who is trying to help you – if you’ve already applied for a position or it doesn’t interest you, just say. A recruiter won’t be upset with you for telling them the truth, but will be annoyed if you waste everyone’s time. Likewise do not be afraid to chase a recruiter who has promised to contact you and hasn’t. Recruiters are very busy and sometimes can forget to call back when they said they would. It’s not an excuse and I strongly recommend calendar reminders.

9. What advice do you have for a manager looking to hire?

Be realistic about what you are looking for – some job descriptions are so long that the role seems to be for 2 people. Also know why you want a specific skill set. If you are using a “buzzword” or something similar, make sure you know what it is and why it’s required. We recommend writing 2 lists – what skills must they absolutely have, and what would be nice for them to have. Same goes for qualifications: is a degree essential for your position or would it just be nice? There has been such an emphasis on degrees over the last few years, and some people have forgotten that candidates can have the right skills without a piece of paper to back it up.

10. Why would you recommend Marton Recruitment?

Marton Recruitment prides itself on its customer service approach, and the communication we provide to both candidates and clients. We are always chasing for feedback and pass the information on as soon as we can to either party. We aren’t afraid to give you honest advice either even if it can feel a little awkward to do so. Many agencies claim to be unique or have a bespoke system, but not many actually are. Here at Marton Recruitment we try and offer a service that a client truly wants, so we will take the time to get to know you, and also your business. The thing that makes us different from every other agency? The people – the consultants we have here to help you in your recruitment needs. We don’t jump from one agency to another, and we invest in training and development.