Capio Recruitment’s Post

Cecilia Esteves thought that this would be a good story to share, to give people some inspiration, at a time we need it the most. I recently celebrated my first year with my company and I couldn’t help but reminisce about that fateful conversation I had with my talent acquisition partner… Recruiter: …And that’s a gist of the offer. What do you think? Me: I gotta take a little time… A little time to think things over. Recruiter: Of course! But is there anything not clear at the moment? Me: I gotta read between the lines. In case I need it when I’m older. Recruiter: Older? Well, if you go to section three, you’ll see the clause about retirement. Anything else? Me: In my life, there’s been heartache and pain. I don’t know if I can face it again… Recruiter: Hmmm… Well, if you need more time, we can reconnect later… Me: Can’t stop now, I’ve travelled so far… To change this lonely life… Recruiter: Oh. I thought you lived nearby? Me: I wanna know what love is. I want you to show me… Recruiter: What we’re giving you is very competitive… Me. I wanna FEEL what love is. I KNOW you can show me… Recruiter: You drive a hard bargain, Lyndon… Me: Let’s talk about loooove!

The imminent birthday of one of my sons kicked off a trip down memory lane for me and led to me recalling the 'joys' of being pregnant at work - and also telling work. Three times during my career, I had to share the news that I was pregnant and would be taking some leave. Each time, it did feel a bit like I was dropping a bombshell.   1️⃣ First time: We were right in the middle of the sales process for a big deal, and I was leading. The question undoubtedly was, 'Will this jeopardise the deal?' 2️⃣ Second time: I was barely back from my first maternity leave. It felt as though there was an unspoken question in the air: 'Are you really committed to your career?' 3️⃣ Third time: Less than a year into a new job. I was paranoid I could hear the thoughts: 'Did she have this planned when we hired her?'   Each announcement was of course met with congratulations but I also very much felt concern about timelines, projects, and handover. I struggled with fearing there would be assumptions about whether or not I was career-committed, and perhaps sometimes over-compensated for this.   My way of navigating each time very much centred on planning handover really robustly, communicating well with all who needed to know, and delivering (and documenting :)) whatever results I could before heading out on leave.   Here's what I learned through this experience:   - Your career and your family are not mutually exclusive - Timing will never be 'perfect' - and that's okay - Your value isn't diminished by your personal life choices - A supportive employer makes a big difference   To anyone out there fearing this conversation, you're not alone. If you need support in planning career alongside pregnancy or becoming a parent, do send me a message and we can discuss whether coaching may help.   Have you faced similar challenges in your career? How did you handle them?   #WomenInSTEM #CareerJourney #CareerAndFamily

''After much consideration and thoughtful reflection, I've made the decision to resign from my current role. I am incredibly grateful for the experiences, growth opportunities, and relationships I've built during my time here.’’ I have had several candidates being offered roles after interviews, and have been asked several times, what should I say to my employer about my resignation? It’s an exciting time, you are moving on to a new adventure, but having the dreaded conversation with your manager to tell them you are resigning can be a daunting task, but I believe that doing so with professionalism and integrity is so important. Here are some tips on how to resign gracefully: 🔷Schedule a Meeting: Arrange a private meeting with your manager to discuss your decision to resign. This demonstrates respect and gives them the opportunity to address any concerns or questions. 🔷Provide Adequate Notice: Give your employer sufficient notice to transition smoothly. In the world of Audiology & Optometry Typically, three months' notice is customary, but consider your specific circumstances and the needs of your team and patients. 🔷Offer Assistance: During your notice period, offer to assist with the transition process. This could include training your replacement, documenting processes, or providing guidance on ongoing projects. 🔷Express Gratitude: Take the time to express gratitude to your colleagues, managers, and the organisation as a whole for the opportunities you've been given and the support you've received. 🔷Stay Professional: Maintain a positive attitude and uphold your responsibilities until your last day. Your professionalism during this transition period speaks volumes about your character and work ethic. While resigning from a role may feel bittersweet, it's also an exciting opportunity for growth and new beginnings. How can I help you today? If you are looking for a new role, needing help in writing your CV, or interview techniques, give me a call on 07776 303960 or DM me, I would love to help! 🔷Connecting professionals in the world of sound and vision🔷 #CareerTransition #Professionalism #NewBeginnings

Is it me or is every Gen-Z joining the corporate sector now want to be perpetually pacified and coddled? 👶 I'm not saying voicing out opinions and setting boundaries is bad. Absolutely not. This is important. A job is an exchange and relationships are mostly transactional. So, of course you must take a stand for yourself. Nobody else can. But the sheer lack of patience and humility to learn through even bare-minimum challenges and critical feedback is baffling. I know I sound like an old crone as I say this, although, I'm really not (still a 90s' kid.) But I truly remain astonished as I hear of people pulling stunts like joining and quitting on the same day. Even Kim Kardashian & Kris Humphries stayed longer together (a 72-day marriage!) 😂 Whereas, I've grown up around professionals who have stuck it out for decades in the same company. Now, did everything go right for them? Probably not. But despite all, they stayed. Today's advantage is that there is more awareness. You no longer need to remain in an environment that sucks all the joy out of you. Our parents did the 'grind' for us, so there isn't as much pressure. But purely from a learning standpoint, don't give up that easily also, no? Try to at least complete a year, especially when you know how many people out there are struggling to get jobs in today's horrid market. You only realize all the lessons you picked up towards the end of the journey. #weekendreflections #humanresource #hr #peopleexperience #dailylife #thoughtspot #jobcoaching #workexperience #workingforyourtomorrow

As Mother's Day approaches, Iet's raise a glass to all the incredible moms out there with superhuman strength and resilience- whether you're crushing it in the office, running the show at home, or doing both with style and grace! To all the moms out there juggling the demands of #motherhood, #career, and personal aspirations - you’re seriously amazing. The way you balance all the plates while still pursuing your own goals is nothing short of inspiring. And to all the moms currently in the #jobsearch—I see you. Keep hustling, keep shining, and keep believing in yourself. Your next big opportunity is just waiting to be discovered! Remember, your value goes way beyond what's on your #resume or #LinkedInprofile. Own your strengths, embrace your journey, and know that your unique perspective is gold to any team. So here's to all the moms out there - shaping lives and making waves, both at home and in the workplace. Let's celebrate the magic we bring to every role we play. Happy Mother's Day, rockstars! #mothersday2024 #workingmoms #careercoach #prrecruiter #wekeephiringhuman

STORY TIME CONTINUED… …Every time, she was pipped at the post by a man. Every time. I’m talking 4 months of this now. There was one particular job she applied to. Again, multiple rounds. Gruelling waits. As she left the presentation room on the final round, the hiring manager said; ‘Surely, you’re not going to be able to do all the running around we need for the role with a new baby?’ The next day- Boom! Job gone. To a man. With less experience. Can you imagine how my poor friend felt? Tears Tears And More tears She turned to me and said, ‘that’s it now, I’m not telling employers I have a baby, because they automatically assume I’m not cut out for the job.’ She’s one of the hardest workers I know. She’s an exec. Senior and really experienced. Her career was in tatters because she had a baby Not the baby’s fault. Society’s fault. If you’re not actively being inclusive, it’s likely your subconscious bias is taking hold and excluding those who could bring you money, success and growth. New #mums #Neurodiverse people #Disabled people #Ethnicminority I think I will aim for a part 3 to this story- I will do it when she finds the right role and I’ll ask her to demonstrate what makes this company different, so I can share it with you all. #maternity #returnity

I’ve discovered a lot about myself in the past year.  I am brave, resilient, strong, and I am kind. And sometimes funny. Last year, I left a much-loved role of almost seven years. My dream job. Somewhere I felt I belonged.  It was beyond hard, scary, and VERY much out of my comfort zone.  Behind me, I left a business and product I had built that I was incredibly proud of, and some pretty special relationships too.  Searching for a new role since my second maternity leave ended has been tough.  I’m not going to sugar-coat it; it’s sobering at best.  It’s hard to be resilient and present for your kids when you’ve applied to what feels like hundreds of jobs and all that is thrown at you is a stream of generic rejections, peppered with a personalised one here and there from an interview where you totally flopped (and cried the whole way home into a bag of Walkers Thai Sweet Chilli crisps).  One of the things that has lifted me up the most throughout this whole process is those people who come out of the woodwork at unexpected times and at those moments when you need it most. Those who remind you of those special parts about yourself that you might have forgotten – I’m looking at you Ian Hunt #Julie Hassan.  Or perhaps an old boss who sacrificed an hour of her incredibly busy day (and then some!) to help you prep for an interview – thank you Gina Ritchie. Or maybe it’s just your three year old daughter who out of nowhere looks at you, pulls a thumbs up and says ‘You’re perfect mummy’. Never underestimate the power of kindness, and how important relationships are.  Of how people might just look up to you, and who will remember how you helped them in their hour of need. If it’s something I was bad at before, (though I hope not), I hope I can do better in the future. Now that I have experienced the vulnerability, shame and uncertainty that comes as an unemployed mum, (not to mention how you can feel like a total fraud), I certainly wouldn’t want someone else to be in the same position – parent or not. There are some pretty cool communities out there; Five Hour Club and Career Returners (previously Women Returners) & Female Founders Rise. I have been lucky enough to find some temporary, part-time work with a brilliant company, who have made me feel nothing but welcome.  I’m so grateful for that. Amongst all the waffle above, I guess the point I’m trying to make is, the age old saying is true – people will never forget how you made them feel.  It doesn’t hurt to send a note to an old acquaintance to remind them of who they are, a time they made you laugh...or you could simply check in and ask how they are -  you never know, it might just make their day!

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞? I'll tell ya what I see... A gap year that turned into 10 years... A promotion that didn't come to fruition... A diet that ended before any weight loss... A trip to the emergency room... A temp job to make ends meet... Countless rejections... A divorce... A depleted bank account... Domestic violence... Addiction... An unexpected pregnancy... A foreclosure notice... Loss of a loved one... A layoff or termination... A dead-end job... Chronic illness... I've faced a couple of these... but I've known others who've faced them all... 𝐈𝐟 𝐝𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲... 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲'𝐝 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐁𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐘... The thing about this picture... even though I see trouble ahead... I also see where the road gets fixed... where it'll be easy to drive... 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐞 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨... 𝐨𝐡, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈'𝐦 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐀𝐒𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆... 𝐈'𝐦 𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠... See yourself where the road straightens out... KNOW that this is going to happen! If you truly do this... you will look back in your rear view mirror at everything that "detoured" you... things you might be going through right now... Tackle them one by one... it might take a week... it might take a year... it might take 10 years... I'm not suggesting that you'll be healed or that you won't have scars... what I AM suggesting, is you will get through it and you will get past the detour my friends! If you need someone to talk to, DM me. I might have some advice, or I might just be an ear that listens... If I feel there is someone more qualified to help you, I will do my best to find that person or group. Just chew on this one the next few days, friends. (disclaimer) Few people, if any, know what you've gone through... just as you don't know what I've gone through. I speak from a credible place of vulnerability, but I have not faced every hardship so please don't apply a confrontational tone to these words. Just apply them to yourself. #resumes #linkedin #careers #careerchange #help #hope #detours

🛑 "Discussing your family life with your potential employer is an absolute NO NO. It is strictly business". 🛑 🤔 I am not convinced! I interviewed for a job and then I got pregnant. I called the manager to tell him the latest development. He said, "so what?, it makes no difference, we will make necessary adjustments". I was in disbelief such that I talked myself out of signing the offer letter. I recall going back to work after my 1st maternity leave, my boss (a man), said he is happy to make accommodations for me i.e. sick child, day off, exhaustion etc. Then I read the book "Lean In" by Cheryl Sandberg. Post my 2nd maternity leave, on another job interview. I spoke freely about my family composition. I had a suckling child at home 🤱 and a toddler 👧. The panel was open to this. The reason was, I needed to guage their response so I could manage my expectations. Infact, the support I had from my boss - head of Product, head of CS, Clinical PO was incredible. So much help that it left indelible marks. Ever grateful. 🙏 Ever since, when I am asked to talk about myself in my interview session, I speak about my family composition. You really want to do this for three reasons : 🔢 Guage their response and see if it is the right environment for you. 🔢 Set their expectations and start bulding a trusting relationship. 🔢 Challenge the status quo and pave the way for the upcoming generations. Saying this, once you get the role, never take things for granted. Work as hard and deliver beyond expectations. You may still disagree with me, it is likely because we have different values. And that is okay.