Welcome to our latest blog series – get to know the team. We wanted to give you a chance to get to know the people behind the emails and phonecalls, and to get an inside look at who we are and what we do.

So, without further ado, here’s Emily, our Account Manager. 

What’s your role at ISL?

My role at ISL is Account Manager. What that means is when we partner with a startup or scaleup that have hiring needs I will come into play, getting to know the team, liaise with the hiring managers and get a grip of company culture to help them find the right people by headhunting the best talent in the market.

How did you get into recruitment?

I graduated in 2018 after studying business and events. I went into a sales role at an events company, and I’d heard about recruitment through the grapevine and learnt that it is a really rewarding, people-focused industry so I decided to give it a shot.

How do you differentiate yourself from other consultants in the industry?

I think because I partner with clients and am working so closely with them, I almost become an internal team member. I pride myself on forming strong relationships with my clients and I really try to understand exactly what they need to help grow their teams. I put really thorough processes in place to make sure I’m delivering the best talent.

What roles or type of clients most excite you?

I’m really excited by the climate tech industry, I think that’s where the world is going and where it needs to go. I partnered with one of our clients called Kelpi, and the work they’re doing fascinated me. In terms of roles, I cover anything from Java Developers all the way through the Marketing Directors; I particularly enjoy recruiting within the Marketing and Sales industries.

What’s your favourite part of the job?

I really enjoy becoming an internal consultant for companies. I love the people element of my job so getting to speak to so many different people each day is amazing, particularly when I’m helping candidates to find their dream role.

What are some misconceptions people have about recruitment consultants?

Where do we start? I think people think recruiters are selfish and don’t care about anything other than themselves. Of course, this is true in some cases, but I really want to change people’s perceptions of recruitment consultants. Ultimately, businesses get to where they need to be through their staff, and I’m helping those business to scale their teams in the best way I can. I’m here to enhance the hiring process, not damage it.

What would be your best piece of advice for a founder looking to grow their startup?

My number one piece of advice is to properly plan the logistics of your hiring process. The market is very competitive, so when you get to the point where you want to scale your team, you need to make it a priority or you will lose out on talent.

What would be your best piece of advice for a candidate looking to join a startup?

Definitely go with a startup that really excites you. You need to find a role where you truly believe in the product or service. Also go into it knowing that it will be a real challenge, but the reward that comes with working at a startup is incomparable. Take a leap and try something new, the big corporations will always be there, but joining a startup can change your life financially, personally and professionally.

To learn more about ISL or to chat to Emily about career opportunities, connect with her on LinkedIn here.