Working Mums in recruitment

Working in the recruitment industry and being a mother share many similarities, with both there are lots of highs and lows and sometimes you cannot control the outcome no matter how hard you try!

However when it's great, it's really GREAT. Like sneaking that last minute placement to your client -  you feel a sense of achievement even if you had to stay at work until 9pm last night to do it…. This is exactly the same with motherhood because you never know what will happen next and you are often tested, but watching the children grow up is a wonderful sense of achievement.

As any working mum will know, time, what little you have of it, is precious and I feel to be successful in both areas of your life it is imperative you split your time well. This is often easier said than done and balancing both is difficult. According to a report by Business in the Community (http://gender.bitc.org.uk/all-resources/factsheets/women-and-work-facts), 43.6% of mothers with dependant children are employed full time so this is a large part of our workforce who are juggling two jobs.

The key is to prioritise because it is important to have a happy work/life balance. BPS World are keen to encourage this with their staff and while I may stay late to complete a placement I know that the next day I won’t be expected to be at my desk at 8am. I know I have the flexibility to arrive at work after I have finished the school run. It is interesting to note that in the same report published by Business in the Community, 52% of employees believed flexible working hours would make them happier.

I love being a working mum and it helps that I am super organised! Great organisational skills are something motherhood taught me. I multitask in the office and have made a career from being organised and I am always ready for any challenge the recruitment world throws at me.

BPS World started their Rising Stars Apprenticeship Programme 2 years ago and I have been involved in mentoring and coaching the apprentices. I work with them right from the start of the programme through to them becoming fully qualified Resourcers. This is so rewarding for me to watch people grow and develop both personally and professionally and achieve an NVQ qualification at the same time. Two of our apprentices have been nominated for “Apprentice of the Year” at the REC awards and I feel like a proud Mum!

One important thing I have learned as a working mum is that you can’t always “do it all” – it can be counterproductive as all that happens is you wear yourself out. Make sure you take some time to recharge your batteries, treat yourself to a quiet evening and some quality time with your little ones. Remember, “me time” is not optional it's essential.

If you are interested in our Rising Stars Apprenticeship Programme or other careers at BPS World please contact me on kelly.laine@bps-world.com or 01628 857343

http://www.bps-world.com/careers/get-with-the-programme-rising-stars.aspx