CAROLINE RILEY

Associate director, PSD Group psdgroup.com UK

Career switching

My very first client was a five-star hotel opening in Bahrain. Developing a strong network and building meaningful, genuine and long-lasting relationships have been so valuable in my career. Gaining trust, earning loyalty and being recommended have been the greatest compliments.

Switching from a leadership role in F&B operations to recruitment was certainly a challenge. Covid-19 was by far the biggest hurdle, but I stayed busy during the crisis and helped many candidates find great jobs.

Networking matters

We offer more than just sourcing talent; it’s about being an extended part of our clients’ organizations, going above and beyond to assist them and to help our candidates. One must be very creative when it comes to finding suitable candidates. Networking is increasingly important, and we encourage diversity and flexibility within the industry.

Efficiency through a state-of-the-art CRM system

We use a state-of-the-art CRM system with an applicant tracking system. Everything is on the cloud, so we have access to our entire system on our phones, which enables us to deal with urgent situations. As an international recruiter, I use a wide variety of social media to reach, connect and stay in touch with candidates and clients. Video interviewing (live and pre-recorded) is becoming increasingly relevant.

A toolbox of tips

Covid-19 was certainly not a time to hide. I communicated every day with people around the world, which allowed me to gain a valuable insight into their businesses during the various lockdowns. I am able to share a toolbox of tips with clients who are in need of advice.