​After 16 years’ of working for a number of multinational insurance companies, I decided I needed a complete career change and to be out of my comfort zone. I’ve always enjoyed working with people and building relationships, but I also wanted a fast-paced, competitive and challenging role, where no two days would ever be the same. So I decided that January 2016 would be a new year, new start, and a new career for me.

After speaking with friends and family, a few had suggested recruitment, so I began to research the world of recruitment and met with a number of people within the industry. I very quickly realised that a career in recruitment would offer me everything I was looking for, and more, and that I had already acquired a very transferrable skillset and had the personal attributes required to be a successful recruiter.

I decided to begin my recruitment career within the office support space. I can honestly say that now, over 3 years’ later, no two days have ever been the same! The office support market is typically fast paced, competitive, and allows me to work with a variety of clients across a number of sectors including financial services, professional services, industry and commerce and more.

Just like no two days are ever the same, the same can be said for the professionals I represent in my market. From receptionists and administrators to executive assistants and office managers, these people dedicate their careers to supporting senior management teams and c-suite executives, with the day to day operational tasks such as diary management, arranging international travel itineraries, preparing for board meetings, implementing processes and procedures, arranging events and much more, all of which are essential to the growth and success of any business.

While having the right experience and technical skillset is a key focus for any client hiring an office support professional, there are a host of other factors to be considered that carry equal importance, such as personality, emotional intelligence and a proactive mindset.

Recently, there has been an increased demand from employers seeking professionals for hybrid roles. The job description of a PA or Office Manager is constantly evolving, and often offer the candidate the opportunity to be much more involved in the strategic planning of a business. Additional areas of expertise favoured by employers include marketing, social media management, human resources, communications, project management, and accounts. Experience and qualifications in these areas will often give job seekers the competitive edge. As a result, salaries are on the increase and organisations are doing more to retain talent by offering benefits such as educational assistance to support professional development, private health insurance cover, performance related bonus, flexibility with work from home options to name a few.

Having recently joined the amazing team here at Mason Alexander to lead the office support division, I am very much looking forward to working in partnership with our clients, and supporting professionals on their chosen career paths.

If you are an office support professional seeking advice or assistance in taking the next step in your career, or an organisation who require assistance with your recruitment needs, contact me for a confidential chat!