This year marks five years since I joined Gembridge. It’s been an eventful five years for me both professionally and personally. Amongst other things, over this time I made the career shift from fundraising to recruitment, went through covid times and many (many!) lockdowns, turned 40, completed post graduate study, started running half marathons, had a couple of house moves in there too, and have moved through my career journey with Gembridge from Recruitment Consultant to Associate Director. What a ride!
Reflecting on this journey with Gembridge, I’m incredibly grateful for the learning, growth, challenges, and relationships I’ve built along the way. The past five years have been filled with many meaningful experiences and here are five of my key reflections:
1. Learning & Growth: A Constant Journey
One of the biggest takeaways from my career shift is that learning never stops. Every day presents something new—different roles, industries, and people. From the early days of navigating the recruitment landscape to developing skills in consulting, interviewing, and influencing, to playing a part in strategic direction, vision, and success, every experience has been full of learning and growth opportunities.
Beyond recruitment itself, I’ve also developed as a leader, taking on people management responsibilities and learning from both successes and challenges.
Recruitment is a dynamic field—markets shift, priorities change, and no two days are ever the same. This ongoing learning curve keeps things interesting and rewarding.
2. The Power of a Great Team
The people we work with play a huge role in our overall job satisfaction. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a team that is not only capable and committed but also passionate, caring, and fun.
A supportive work environment makes all the difference—it boosts productivity, fosters collaboration, and contributes to overall well-being. Finding the right team and culture is crucial for career fulfillment, and I’m grateful to have found that at Gembridge.
Having a leader and manager in your corner that backs you, provides opportunities and supports your growth and development is a game changer. I don’t take this for a granted and would encourage everyone to seek this out in your next role if you don’t have it already (or you could find this outside of your workplace too if need be – seeking out an aligned mentor would be a good place to start).
3. Relationships Are Everything
Strong, authentic relationships are at the heart of recruitment. Building trust with clients and candidates is the foundation of success.
For clients, partnerships matter. Last year, 75% of our projects came from existing clients, and 17% were from new clients referred by trusted partners. These stats highlight the importance of nurturing and maintaining strong long-term relationships.
On the candidate side, it’s about seeing the person beyond the CV—understanding their aspirations, motivations, and values to help them find the right fit. At its core, recruitment is about people, and building meaningful connections is what makes it so rewarding.
4. Embracing Change & Adaptability
Recruitment is often described as a roller coaster, and that’s a pretty accurate description! It comes with highs and lows, unexpected challenges, and moments of both excitement and disappointment.
Over the years, I’ve learned that adaptability is key. Markets shift, hiring needs change, and unforeseen challenges arise (starting my recruitment career at the onset of a global pandemic taught me that very quickly!). Resilience is built through these experiences—learning to embrace change, look for opportunities, and keep moving forward is what makes the journey worthwhile.
5. The Perfect Mix of Challenge & Fulfillment
While recruitment has its tough moments, the impact we make is incredibly fulfilling. Supporting candidates in their career journeys, helping purpose-driven organisations find the right talent and seeing those connections lead to strategic impact and positive outcomes is what makes it all worthwhile.
Yes, it’s a roller coaster - but the fun one, not the one that makes you sick! ;) The mix of challenge, variety, and reward leaves me feeling engaged and excited for what’s ahead.
Looking Forward…
Five years in, I’m just as passionate about this work (Finding Gems & Connecting People!) in the for-purpose sector as I was when I started. I’m grateful for the learning, the relationships, and the opportunities to grow - both professionally and personally. Here’s to more years of contributing to the sector, partnering to make an impact, solving challenges, and enjoying the ride!
