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‘3 weeks after I started at Morgan McKinley, we were in a global pandemic’

My career history is a varied one. I studied a Bachelor of Performance, pursued the theatre industry for a year, then went onto the travel industry where I spent four and a half years’ in both retail and wholesale environments. It was only in October 2018 when I stepped into the world of recruitment that I was immediately hooked!

 

 

 

When I started contemplating my next career move, typing out ‘best recruitment agencies in Sydney’, I was immediately drawn to Morgan McKinley. Their core values of creating real opportunities for their team and improving lives for both candidates and clients struck a chord. I’m a firm believer in promoting a positive culture through focusing on two things, your people and your company values, which inevitably become a reflection of your brand. Once I had the privilege of meeting various members of the team, it was clear to see why they’d won 10^th place in the prestigious Great Place to Work Australia awards! Throughout the entire interview process, with the passion for the company they work for, it was evident that they lived and breathed their values.  

After eagerly joining the team in February, it was an exhilarating ride from day one! I felt like I was a part of a family after the first week, not just within the Sydney office but also including the global network. The only thing about being a part of a global team, if you haven’t done it before, is getting used to the after-hours calls! This was something I wasn’t entirely prepared for, though in the grand scheme of things, I think I can give them a ‘free pass’ on this one. Everyone that I spoke to throughout my on boarding process was invested in my success. Every day I was learning something new, stepping outside of my comfort zone and being supported the entire way. I knew I had made the right decision and was in wonderment of where my career could go!

When you take that leap of faith and start your journey with a new and exciting company, the last thing on your mind is ‘I wonder if we’ll go through a pandemic’? After just shy of 3 weeks of starting at Morgan McKinley, this crisis we now find ourselves in of COVID-19 hit, and it hit fast. By March 16^th - my 1-month anniversary - we were working from home on a permanent basis, which thankfully was a seamless process due to our flexibility scheme, which allows people to work remotely, touch screen laptop provided.

Of course, as a new employee living in a world of an economic crisis, it’s natural to think ‘okay, I need to prepare for the worst, I’ll be the first to go on the chopping block’. Though, to be completely honest, even though I did mentally prepare myself for what was happening to recruitment professionals all over Sydney, I trusted that this company I’d only been with for a short month would have my back – and to no surprise, they did. 

During the 5 weeks we have been in lock down, I have been absolutely blown away by how our leaders and my colleagues have handled this crisis. The innovative ideas, creativity and positivity fueled initiatives that have been organised to keep the team connected have been outstanding. With regular check ins with my manager, to general catch ups with the team, ‘virtual’ lunch time game sessions and collaborative team exercises, I’ve felt extremely supported throughout the entirety of this isolated and disconcerting time.

What I think is a true highlight of how Morgan McKinley values their people, is the fact that our leaders have worked tirelessly to ensure that we are looked after - and have all remain employed. As a Talent Acquisition Specialist, I speak to recruiters every day, and I can 100% confirm that I am one of the lucky ones. What a privilege it is to be a part of a company that genuinely cares, a company that looks out for every team member and is constantly on the front foot.

Yes, COVID-19 has been a stressful and at times extremely difficult time for us all, though it certainly helps when you’re working for a company that has your best interests at heart.

If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for such an innovative and inclusive organization, head over to the Morgan McKinley careers page to have a look. Or, you can contact Dominic Bareham for a chat (I know we all value any human interaction at this point)!