Life at Aspire: Stewart.

​Our Life at Aspire series focuses on team members in our business across the globe, explaining their career journey and time at Aspire!

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Here we speak to Stewart Bottomley, Talent Manager at our Talent Hub in Birmingham...

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How did you get in to recruitment?

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I was made redundant in 2012 after working in sales and customer service environments for many years.

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Around the same time, a couple of different people asked me if I’d ever considered recruitment, as from what they knew they felt I might be good at it and enjoy it. I’d seen quite a few adverts, although I didn’t really know anything about it and was sceptical as it seemed there were always a lot of opportunities.

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I did some research and met with a few different companies and soon realised that some are more reputable than others. I was made several offers and went with the company whose values were most aligned to my own. Since then, although I’ve moved companies (for progression opportunities), I’ve never considered changing careers again.

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Why Aspire?

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Having worked for two of the large corporate recruiters before joining Aspire, I’d say the thing that makes really Aspire different, is that the people make it what it is. It’s the only place I’ve ever worked where you feel like you’re contributing to the direction of the company as well as its success.

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Also, we are true specialists in our market, with longstanding client relationships with all of the key players in the sectors we specialise in.

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What do you look for when you hire people for your team?

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The most important thing is a good attitude. I prize this over both experience and education. If someone can demonstrate to me enthusiasm, initiative and a great work ethic, I believe we can teach them the rest.

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What’s the best and worst thing about the job?

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The best is knowing that the actions you have taken have had a direct impact on someone’s life. We’re really proactive in finding the right people for our jobs, and the right jobs for our people. It’s a great feeling when you place someone into a great opportunity for them that they otherwise wouldn’t have known about.

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The worst is being let down by people who you’ve gone out of your way to help. It doesn’t happen that often, but occasionally people will disappear off the face of the planet as they are too scared to tell you they have changed their mind about going to an interview or accepting a job offer. As well as having a negative impact on your targets, the most frustrating thing is feeling you have been unable to maintain excellent service to your client, through no fault of your own.

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What’s the worst thing someone has done in an interview?

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Someone left their phone switched on and it rang during the interview. Easily done these days, but the real nail in the coffin was answering it and having a full-blown conversation. Needless to say, the client wasn’t impressed, and they didn’t get the job.

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What’s the best piece of advice you have ever received?

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Do more than you get paid for.

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If you constantly go the extra mile and have higher expectations of yourself than your boss, your clients and your candidates have of you, then you will always be successful in the long run.

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Thinking of a change? Fancy working for a progressive and supportive company? Check out our internal vacancies here.