Climbing the ladder in recruitment – a female’s perspective
A woman should be two things – who and what she wants. Coco Chanel.
Powerful words that have resonated with me throughout my career in recruitment, says Carolann Davidson, Payroll Manager at Ten live.
That doesn’t mean that the journey is devoid of complexities for women in business. In fact, it can be quite the opposite. For me, it’s about how to navigate those complexities to achieve your boldest ambitions.
Carolann Davidson, Payroll Manager at Ten Live takes a minute to answer a few questions on her experiences as a female in recruitment, telling us about her career, advice to women in her industry and her love of Irn Bru and crisps – a winning combination in our opinion.
Carolann entered recruitment at age 16, as a trainee recruitment consultant. Over the next 9 years she progressed to Branch Manager within two multi-national agencies. After decades on the sales side, Carolann made the decision to stay in recruitment but move directions entirely, to central services, within finance at Ten Live – which she’s loving btw (her own words).
What are you most proud of in your career so far?
If I had to hang my hat on the one thing that I am most proud of throughout my recruitment career, that would be having had the opportunity to play a pivotal part in supporting people achieve their career ambitions with a sense of accomplishment. It’s a responsibility that I take seriously because working life is such a significant part of people’s overall happiness.
Not only for people looking for a role, but also for people I have managed and mentored to help them carve out a recruitment career where they are valued. Particularly women who have had to overcome the challenges of returning to work after a career break.
It can be a daunting prospect. I am humbled by the opportunity to have mentored and influenced females in my various teams to create careers where they have thrived and have gone on to excel in leadership positions themselves. As women, we have the responsibility to pay it forward and continue the legacy of our managers and those before them, to inspire female progression.
Are female role models important to women in recruitment?
It’s my experience that females are more inspired by the success of female leaders in business. We are fortunate at Ten Live to have an inspiring leader, Joanne Telfer, at the helm for over 2 decades. One who understands the challenges women in business face and is passionate about motivating women to shine. Joanne is enthusiastic about mentoring females in Ten Live and supporting us navigate the complexities of career and work life balance.
It’s important for businesses to tackle the gender leadership gap where greater female representation will result in more promotions and more female mentors for women to aspire to. Therefore, increasing the exposure and access to women looking for female role models.
So yes, very important.
What advice would you give to females about a career in recruitment?
There are many obstacles for females throughout their career, still. Whilst the gender gap is narrowing, there’s work to be done. And what better way to accomplish this than together.
That’s the one piece of advice for women in recruitment. Collaborate with the females in your organisation. A problem shared…
Recruitment is a high-pressure and competitive environment and women can fall into the trap of being overly competitive with one another, when in fact, women are your allies. Talk with the women in your office about the challenges you’re facing. It’s likely they have experienced similar situations and might be able to advise you, based on their experience, of how to work through these obstacles.
Be there for one another and lift each other up. Stay focused, support one another and celebrate each other’s wins. Who says we can’t have a ‘girls’ club?
When you’re not being awesome in recruitment, what do you do?
Mostly running around after my energetic 9-year-old, Leighton, who is football obsessed. We’re at practise at least 3 times a week. Sometimes I will spend time with the Ten Live ladies. In fact, we were just out celebrating at the weekend together. Scotts of Troon for lunch and then Glasgow’s West End. Fabulous time.
I imagine, like a lot of working mums, weekends are spent with family and friends, catching up and spending quality time together.
3 facts about you
Easy.
- Hard working
- My downfall is crisps
- A true drooth can only be quenched by a diet Irn Bru.
Before you sign off
We’re hiring at Ten Live.
Give Joanne Telfer a ring on +44(0)7547761779 to open a dialogue. No hard sell or commitments, just a conversation. You never know until you try.
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Carolann Davidson I Payroll Manager at Ten Live
