Luke's Story

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​​Why did you choose a career in recruitment?

"I fell into it, like most people, I think. I was in sales before, in estate agency, selling houses, and now I'm selling jobs and people into particular companies. So a bit of similarity in the sales and consultative approach, which is something that's always interested me."

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Why Carrington West?

"Hard work is rewarded. You're not only rewarded with the pay and commission, but also by being able to integrate yourself into your industry really understanding the needs of your clients and candidates."

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​What's been your biggest challenge in your time working here?

"I think the obvious answer is COVID. I think everyone would say that. The company itself pivoted so quickly. They made big changes to ensure that we were focused on the people in the company.

Before, you came in in a suit. You came in Monday to Friday. You came in 8:30-5:30. Very quickly, during that year, we implemented changes because you had to work from home, there was no way round it.

When we came back to the office, there was a far more flexible approach, in realising that people don't all work the same hours. People can get everything they need to get done in different time periods. That flexibility, in turn, has helped our clients a lot more."

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​What's some advice you'd give to somebody starting their career in recruitment?

"It's something that someone said to me early on, which is being curious in everything that you do. I'd also add being humble. I've seen lots of people come into the industry, and quite quickly will achieve something and think, "I've completed it."

From my side, I've been doing this for 10 years with Carrington West; there's people out there who've been here less than a year, and I pick things up from them, and I'm super impressed by that. I'll be humble enough to go, "I didn't know that!" You know, they're closer to the expertise, they'll know that as well.

So definitely when you're early on in your career, have that humility to learn from people - your colleagues who've been doing this for years, and also your clients and candidates who have so much specialist knowledge; that's how to get engrained in your industry."

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You're now a Highways Team Leader - how would you describe your career journey so far?

I think I look back, and there's been a lot of personal development. When I was brought in, you were very much focused on your own desk and your own business, and how you could grow it for yourself. As the company's grown, the approach has become much more collaborative. I'm moving into a team leadership role, so I'm now seeing the progress of that team, and how that impacts the wider business."

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How has Carrington West changed since you joined?

It's a huge change. I joined, like I said, when we were less than 10 people, working in a cramped room. Now, seeing us in a big office, at 100+ staff, the focus we have on improving people's skillsets, the clients we work with, it's massive. I was saying this to Blayne, one of the directors, the other day, that when you look at the progress of our team and our department, and then think back to four or five years ago - if you'd said to me then that we'd have what we have now, I'd have laughed. It's important to take stock and think about progress - it's fantastic.

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