Tom Morris
Can you give us your career snapshot to date?
I have always been passionate about fitness and keeping fit so it always felt right that I would start my career within that space. I decided not to go to University and jump straight into work, where I joined LA Fitness as a Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. After 4 years and working my way up to Deputy Club Manager I found my love for Sales when helping and managing the Membership Sales team. That is when I started looking for a change in career and move into a B2B sales environment. I joined Certus Recruitment as a Graduate Resourcer, got promoted are 3 months into a Graduate Consultant position and then after a year moved into a Senior Technology Consultant role. After combining my experience in Management at LA Fitness and Recruitment skills learnt at Certus, I decided to start looking at Management within Certus. I was made Sales Manager for the Technology Sales team and after one successful year, we re-structured the group where I am now Director of the Technology business which focusses on Sales, Marketing and IT.
Why did you choose recruitment?
I chose Recruitment because I felt it combined my passion for selling but also still offered a service to customers which made me feel like I was helping them. I looked at various sales career options and none excited me as much as Recruitment.
Why did you choose to join Certus?
From the moment I walked into the Reading office for my first interview, I was made to feel welcome. During the interview process you could tell the Directors of the business were serious about who they hire, but also you were made to feel wanted by the speed of the process. This is something I did not feel when interviewing at other Recruitment firms.
Can you describe the onboarding process and subsequent training?
Whatever level you are, whether you are joining with no experience or have sales/recruitment experience, Certus get the balance right with practical and theory led training. They learnt very quickly what type of training I preferred and tailored my induction to what worked best for me. For me, it was shadowing for a morning and then putting it into practice in the afternoon. As I progressed through Certus, my Director would always make it clear what the next steps were for me, and what I needed to do to get there.
Have you been successful?
Yes! I would never have thought 5 years ago that I would be running my own Business as a Director within the company.
What do you love most about working here?
We get the balance right when it comes to work and play. Everyone who comes through the office door knows what we are here to do and ultimately if we work hard and achieve our goals (short term and long term) we will be successful. This is then followed by a celebratory pint down the pub where we can feel satisfied we have done a good job.
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Gabriele Griggs
Can you give us your career snapshot to date?
After I finished university, I went straight into sales. I started my career in telesales for a financial services company, where I stayed for 2 years progressing to management. Once I left, I went and worked for an influencer marketing platform in a closing role for just under a year, before finally ending up at Certus!
Why did you choose recruitment?
I always knew my strengths lay in a sales/people-focused career. After 3 years in sales, I knew I had a lot of transferable skills and wanted to try my hand in recruitment as I heard some fantastic things, ie earning potential and the fast-paced environment. I knew I would be successful and I wanted a career that I knew I could progress in and never get bored of, as every day is so different.
Why did you choose to join Certus?
I was really bought into the culture and the people that worked there. Throughout my interview process, I loved everyone I met, and I truly believed in the growth aspirations the business had at the time and has since achieved.
Can you describe the onboarding process and subsequent training?
The training never stops, I was onboarded pretty much learning on the job as I had transferrable skills, and now two years later I am still learning, and undertaking training on topics regularly. We meet at least once a month for ‘refresher’ sessions about certain parts of our sales cycle and collaboratively learn together!
Have you been successful?
I think so – last year I finished the year 119% of target!
What do you love most about working here?
Definitely the team, always a laugh with the bunch! I genuinely look forward to coming into the office every day, and the social aspect is great. Management really takes the time to ensure the culture is fantastic!
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Jemma Puzey
Can you give us your career snapshot to date?
After finishing college in 2016, I joined Certus Recruitment as a Graduate Resourcer, finding recent graduates their dream sales jobs whilst working alongside and learning from senior consultants. I moved across to our IT Recruitment division where I gained a wealth of knowledge regarding all things tech (yes, I now know all about programming languages!) After a year of working on our IT desk I decided I wanted to learn about the world of Marketing and made the move to our Marketing Recruitment division placing marketing professionals into positions from Marketing Executive through to Chief Marketing Officer. Fast forward (I’m now a part of the furniture), I’m a Marketing Technology specialist consultant, placing candidates into Sales, IT, and Marketing positions within fantastic MarTech businesses based throughout the UK and Europe.
Why did you choose recruitment?
Whilst at college studying Business, Finance and Law, I studied a module called “Recruitment and Selection”. I took a particular interest in this module and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the process a business undergoes to ensure they employ the best professionals within their industry. Towards the end of my time at college one of my tutors suggested I go into recruitment due to my “gift of the gab” and persistence. He had previously run a recruitment business and thought I’d really enjoy the job, 5 years and counting and he definitely wasn’t wrong!
Why did you choose to join Certus?
I had interviewed with two other recruitment agencies and decided to register with Certus as a candidate on a friends recommendation. It turned out that they were hiring at the time so I met with the Head of Graduate Recruitment and our wonderful CEO (I really mean that) Justin. Two days later I was offered the job as a Graduate Resourcer. I chose Certus Recruitment because the minute I walked through the door I felt welcomed, something I hadn’t experienced at the two other agencies. Certus genuinely has an outstanding culture and I couldn’t ask to work with a better bunch of colleagues.
Can you describe the onboarding process and subsequent training?
On my first day with Certus I had a meeting with the head of my team to go through the expectations of the position and what I could expect from my first month. I was then given extensive training on how to use the systems in place and how to speak with candidates. I was partnered with a colleague who offered support every step of the way and made sure I was comfortable in the position.
Have you been successful?
I like to think so! I’m currently on track to hit my yearly target, despite the pandemic we are all currently going through, which is hugely exciting! I have received multiple promotions throughout my time with Certus and continue to develop my career.
What do you love most about working here?
I absolutely love the culture at Certus, everyone I work with are genuine friends and when joining you are instantly made to feel part of the team. The career is rewarding both personally and financially which to me is the best of both worlds! There’s nothing better than finding someone their dream job and hearing the excitement in their voice when delivering the good news whilst also earning some big bucks!
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If you'd like to know more about working at Certus Recruitment we'd love to speak to you. Get in touch, or apply to one of the roles below, to find out how we can help you be the best 'you' you can be.