mint-r2r

WE DID IT! WE RAISED $30k FOR HUNGRY AUSSIE KIDS!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 02 Sep 2022 02:56:23 GMT

WE DID IT!!! WE HIT OUR TARGET!!! The unbelievably generous Australian Recruitment Industry has already raised over $30,000 forEat Up Australia.

22 recruitment companies will battle it out in November to win the coveted title of BEST Australian Recruitment Industry Football Team…

But much more important than that, is the fact that EatUp will be able to feed underprivileged Australian kids more than 30,000 meals.

Now that the cash is in the bank, we can focus on the important business of football.

The balling teams will be coming from:

⚽️Emanate Technology

⚽️Method Recruitment Group

⚽️The Andersen Partnership

⚽️Sharp & Carter

⚽️u&u. Recruitment Partners

⚽️Interpro

⚽️Just Digital People

⚽️Morgan Consulting

⚽️Davidson

⚽️Fetch Recruitment

⚽️TOM Executive

⚽️Ethos BeathChapman

⚽️CGC Recruitment

⚽️Charterhouse Partnership

⚽️Bluefin Resources

⚽️Precision Sourcing

⚽️SustainAbility Consulting

⚽️Design & Build Recruitment/Public Sector People

⚽️MAP TALENT

⚽️Redpath Partners

So to all the teams above, start dusting off (or purchasing) your boots, get down the gym, order your strips, start picking your team, and give yourself a huge pat on the back for getting onboard with such a great cause.

The 2 teams who won it last time around are no longer with us….

SO… WHO’S GONNA BRING IT HOME?

⚽️ �� ⚽️ �� ⚽️ �� ⚽️ �� ⚽️ ��

Oh, by the way, we’d love to raise MORE money and feed more kids, so if you have a little left in your charitable donation budget, the GoFundMe page is in the link below…

And THANK YOU! �� ❤️

MASSIVE THANKS to Annabella Poon and the legends at Vincere.io for helping make this possible. You literally rock! ��

Is "Recruitment Consultant" The 11th Highest Paid Job In Australia?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 26 Aug 2022 02:55:54 GMT

Australia’s top 10 highest paid professions were listed recently, and “Recruitment Consultant” didn’t even make it into the top 10.

And I think I know why…

Firstly, because you don’t need to qualify or get a Degree to be a “Recruitment Consultant”, we tend not to be featured on these types of lists. (We kinda get snubbed!)

But the main reason is because these lists are calculated on basic salaries only.

We all know that basic salaries in Recruitment aren’t world beating. So it stands to reason we wouldn’t be ranked that high. But that’s Ok. We don’t do the job for the basic, right? (Well, we shouldn’t. And if you do, you might be in the wrong gig!)

So I’ve taken the liberty of adding us to the list where I think we’d slot in, based on our TOTAL earnings, including commission.

I’m putting us in at No 11. Just under Financial Advisor.

So, I reckon the “average” (established) Recruiter (based on the current market conditions, typical commission schemes, and average billings numbers) is earning around $130-140k a year.

In this calculation, I’m factoring in Rookies, low performers, high performers, very high performers, One-Man-Bands, etc.

And if you challenge this calculation, I’d love nothing more than a healthy debate in the comments below.

But back to the list…

As I said, I’m slotting us in at No 11, just below Financial Advisor. And presumably a couple of slots above Real Estate Agent and Internal Recruiter.

And it also means we’re only 10 spots away from brain surgeon! ��

Mint R2R can help you with your damp problems.

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 19 Aug 2022 02:55:16 GMT

Mint R2R has been successfully relocating overseas Recruiters into Australia for almost 20 years.

We have proudly assisted literally hundreds of Recruiters realise their dream by not only living and working in Australia, but elevating their careers, and earning potential?

Did you know that the vast majority of the Australian recruitment industry population is made up of overseas Recruiters? Did you know you're most likely to be on a better basic salary over in Australia? Did you know that your visa doesn't cost you anything, and your employer will pay for it for you?

Anyway, we could go on...

But, quite often, there's no good reason why you can't make the move to Australia if you're an experienced Recruiter.

If you'd like to talk to us about making that life changing move, and making all your friends really, really, really jealous, give us a nudge for a very confidential chat.

Why does your Boss need to know your name?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 12 Aug 2022 02:54:57 GMT

When I first landed in Australia in November 2000, I went to work for a household name recruitment brand.

They were a very successful company, with, what you would have assumed, decent leadership.

During my time with this company (which occupied 3 levels of sales floors), I often found myself in the elevator with the CEO. Just me and him.

He was a well-heeled, well-spoken, smartly-dressed gentleman, who oozed wealth.

Conversely, I was a working-class, ex-SThree scumbag, with about 5 minutes recruitment experience, who’d spent what tiny amount of savings I had getting myself to Australia.

Even though we shared a very enclosed lift ride together, shoulder to shoulder, about half a dozen times, guess how many times we chatted?

Zero.

Each time I found myself in that awkward, 60 second moving cupboard with “The Big Cheese”, I’d attempt to make eye contact, with the hope to then introduce myself.

It never happened. His mind was elsewhere. And I was too intimidated to speak up.

On most occasions, I’m not sure he even knew there was somebody else in the lift with him. He had bigger fish to fry.

Of the 6 or 7 times I found myself in that lift with that CEO, not once did we exchange words. Or even nods.

We remained strangers. I knew who he was. But he had no clue who I was.

Fast forward about 15 years, and I started working with a client that was owned by this same chap.

I spoke to him one day, and couldn’t resist.

I said “Do you know that I used to work for you, many years ago?”

He didn’t even pretend to remember me. He actually still came across like he didn’t particularly care that much. �� (At least he was consistent!)

It made me wonder how many other staff he had hired over the years who he never bothered to speak to, or get to know.

I recorded a podcast on Friday and the guest spoke about a very well-known Australian Recruitment Business Leader who he used to work for, who he believes always demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his career.

And one of the main things this particular leader used to do so well, was get to know his people. Connect with them. Spend time with them. Go on visits with them. Make them feel valued and significant.

I agree.

I believe one of the most important traits of strong leadership is the ability to connect with your people on a personal level.

Only then, when they feel they know you, and they feel you value them and care for them (as humans, and not just revenue generators), will you get true loyalty from them.

Do you agree?

Have you ever been ignored by your Boss?

Or the opposite? Have you ever had a brilliant Boss who has taken time to truly get to know you?

PS: This leader is still very active in the recruitment industry, I think. We haven’t spoken for a while. ��

Why do we Recruiters "push through"?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 05 Aug 2022 02:54:12 GMT

Every time I sit down to tackle a family size packet of peanut M&Ms (on my own), I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time I sit down and watch the first Manchester United game at the start of the long and painful season, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time I turn up at F45 and line up at the start of the class alongside all the fit, young 20 somethings in their singlets and Lycra, I look down at my moobs and always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time I sit down on a plane to eat packet food and watch 90s re-runs for 36 hours, so I can go home and massage my Grandmas feet, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time I talk to a Candiate who has registered with 3 other Recruiters and turned down 5 job offers because something they “just couldn’t put their finger on didn’t feel right”, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time a new prospective client requests 45 minutes of my time so they can tell me why their recruitment company is “different” and how they’re going to “shake things up”, I think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

Every time the 1st of July rolls round and the placements board gets wiped clean again, smeared with the successes of history, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!”

But I do. I push through.

We Recruiters push through. That’s what we do.

I think we badge it as “tenacity” or “perseverance”.

Moral of the story?

Excessive and regular peanut M&M consumption definitely contributes to unwanted moobs.

WE WON THE BEST R2R & BEST R2R AGENCY AT THIS YEAR'S SOURCR AWARDS!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 29 Jul 2022 02:53:24 GMT

It’s so lovely to be recognised as the “Best Rec2Rec” in my part of the world, and "Best R2R Agency" in this years Australian Sourcr Recruitment Awards.

I’m incredibly grateful to all of my Candidates and Clients, from all over Australia, who posted reviews on the Sourcr website in this past year.

It's been nothing short of a pleasure working with all of you. ��

I’m particularly proud of the fact that the service Mint R2R provides rated as 5 out of 5 from everybody who was kind enough to take time to review us.

In life, we all do what we do for different reasons and different motivations, but when it’s recognised by the very people you’re helping, it’s hugely rewarding.

Thank you, Recruitment Industry. Means a lot! ��

(I'll stop short of thanking my parents and the dogs). ��

The ONLY game we Recruiters should play is "the long game"...

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 21 Jul 2022 02:52:54 GMT

The ONLY game we Recruiters should play, is “the long game”…

One of the nicest things about having been around a while, is seeing and appreciating long term relationships as they continue to work year, after year, after year, after year…

I’ll try and illustrate what I mean, with a few examples from my own business…

I made my first placement with Six Degrees Executive11 years ago. (That Candidate is still there!) And I made my most recent placement with them just 6 weeks ago.

I made my first placement with FourQuarters Recruitment11 years ago. (That Candidate is also still there!) My most recent placement starts with them in September.

I made my first placement with Bluefin Resources9 years ago. (Yep, he’s still there!) I placed 3 Recruiters into that same Candidate’s team in the last financial year.

I made my first placement with Redpath Partners10 years ago. My most recent placement starts with them in September.

I made my first placement with Sharp & Carter 8 years ago. (They are still there!) I made 2 placements with them in the past 9 months.

I made my first placement with Davidson8 years ago. I have placed 4 people there in the past 5 months.

I made my first placement into Design & Build Recruitment/Public Sector People12 years ago. I have placed 4 people there in the past year.

Relationships, and loyalty, mean everything in this industry. EVERYTHING!

Make sure YOU play “the long game”…..

PLEASE spare a thought for Recruiters who are doing it tough! 🤣

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 14 Jul 2022 02:52:08 GMT

Yesterday, I went to my favourite fancy cafe in the city and ordered a strong almond latte. It's an expensive coffee of choice, but I don’t mind the $6 hit. I figure I deserve it.

And it also sets me up for a full day of power meetings with really important Recruiters.

But yesterday, something happened that shook me to my core.

As I sipped my latte, I responded to some incredibly important emails about, you know, heavy duty recruitment shit.

I noticed a young man in the coffee line who looked like he needed his coffee hit more than I did.

I watched him, curiously.

He ordered a “jumbo cappuccino”, so I instantly knew he maybe wasn’t as sophisticated as somebody who might order an almond latte.

But I certainly didn’t judge him.

He also had “that Recruiter” vibe going on, so I knew he was one of my own.

He ordered his jumbo cap, and the Cafe Dude said “$6.40 please, Mate!”

My Recruiter friend looked awkward.

It was obvious that he couldn’t cover the cost of his oversized caffeine hit.

To spare his blushes, I stepped forward and proffered a crisp $100 note.

I said to the Cafe Dude “And chuck in a blueberry muffin too! He looks like he needs it!”

I might’ve winked as I said it. I can’t remember. I probably did. I’m classy like that.

The young Recruiter was embarrassed, but grateful.

We sat down and we chatted.

He instantly opened up about the fact that things just weren’t going his way at work at the moment.

He’d had an awful run of luck.

Some “definite” deals hadn’t dropped in, and his pipeline was rubbish.

He’d been forced to pause his gym membership, restock his fridge with non organic produce, and downsize from a 3 bed apartment with ocean view to a measly 2 bedder with river views.

The kid welled up as he told me his story.

He told me he had a $40k bonus landing in about 3 weeks, and that he knew that “everything will be OK eventually”, but he just didn’t know how he was going to get through the next 21 days.

I gave him some advice. Some bollocks about building his network and “Always Be Closing!” Standard stuff.

Most importantly, I gave him the address of a really decently priced organic supermarket.

He looked into my eyes, and thanked me.

I said “It’s OK, Buddy. I’ve been there! You’ll get through this!”

As he left the cafe, I quickly pointed out that the advice I gave him wasn’t for free, but that he didn’t have to worry about paying me for it till his $40k bonus dropped in.

He thanked me again, and walked away.

I wondered if I’d ever see him again.

But I knew I’d done a good thing.

I don’t tell you this story, publicly, on social media, for all to see, because I want you to think I’m a total legend.

No. Not at all.

I just ask you to be alert.

Next time you’re in a top-end-of-town cafe, and you notice somebody ordering a coffee with normal milk instead of almond milk, please look deeper. I beg you.

They might be a Recruiter waiting for their next bonus.

Please be alert, People. ��

Perseverance is so underrated!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 02:51:44 GMT

I’m very aware that I’m not the type of person who does things particularly better than anybody else.

Nor am I the person who comes up with unique ideas that nobody else has ever thought of before.

Or wins awards for anything in particular.

But I can say with some amount of pride that I AM the person who perseveres (through good and bad times).

I find what I’m good at, and what I enjoy, and I stick at it for as long as I can.

Mint Recruitment is a demonstration of that.

We’ve been going for nearly 2 decades, and we’re still (I hope and believe) providing one of the best R2R services in Australia and the UK.

Tooting my own horn there, maybe. But nobody else will toot it for you. ��

So to all the people out there who go the distance, I salute you.

Sure, I bet it’s amazing to come up with a great idea, and sell for millions 5 years later.

But there’s also something noble about working hard for a long time, doing what you do best, and never throwing in the towel.

On that note, here’s a photo of me recently hitting 300 classes at F45.

In PAIN, but PERSERVERING… ��

Is it OK to "job hop"?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 02:50:30 GMT

I saw a post on LinkedIn last week that I took polite exception to.

Not one to usually get rattled by anything I see on LinkedIn, this one made me (mutter under my breath) “Grrrr! What a load of old bollocks!” (The “Grrr” should hopefully demonstrate how cross I was to read this particular piece!)

Somebody (can’t remember who) was suggesting that “the new world we now live in” allows for “job hopping” to be an acceptable thing on a CV.

Further to that, he believed that job-hoppers should not only NOT have their career-bouncing held against them, but it should actually be seen as a positive. WTaF?

Now, call me old fashioned (again), but when I’m reviewing a CV, literally the first thing I’m looking for is stability.

Some kind of evidence that the Candidate has a track record of giving stuff a crack, and not falling at the first hurdle.

Some kind of evidence that the Candidate has enjoyed some positive career chapters because of their well thought out career decisions.

Some kind of evidence that demonstrates progression in pursuit of upwards career trajectory.

Don’t get me wrong. I know the world we live in now is a bit different, and things like “exploration and experiment” in our lives and careers are much more acceptable. And I embrace that. And I want that for my kids too.

And I also accept that we humans make mistakes. Goodness only knows I bloody well did! ��

But my kids also need to understand that it WILL and SHOULD go against them in a selection process if they’ve had 6 jobs in 6 years, and the person they’re being measured up against has had 2 jobs in 6 years.

Do you think your new employer wants to pay your salary while you explore or experiment with your career?

Don’t be ridiculous.

I love stabilty on a CV.

I love it more than high performance.

Because if somebody has stayed in a job for a good few years WITHOUT being a high performer, it proves that they were a good egg, good for culture, and good to have around.

So, in summary…

Job-Hoppers. I have nothing against you. I’ve been guilty of it myself (many years ago). But if you believe you’re pioneers for the new “Erratic CV” career frontier, you’re as mad as the person who wrote that LinkedIn post like week (who’s name I still can’t remember!)

Makes you wonder though… I wonder how many jobs he’d had in the past 5 years!?

Which side of your brain do you use to Recruit? 🧠

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 02:50:01 GMT

When I started out in Recruitment in the late 90s with the infamous SThree, you were either a Perm Recruiter, or a Contract Recruiter. You were NEVER both. Always one or the other. You couldn’t be both. It wasn’t allowed.

For the record, I was a Perm Recruiter.

We “Permys” sat on one side of the office, and the Contract Recruiters sat on the other side of the office.

We didn’t mix. We didn’t socialise. We saw them as the competition. And we were actively encouraged to dislike them.

Professional prejudice was rife in the heady days of UK IT Recruitment in the 90s.

But, it was all fairly black and white and straight forward. No grey area. No confusion.

Your typical Perm Recruiter was very different to your typical Contract Recruiter.

We Perm Recruiters were measured, composed, methodical and strategic in our thinking.

The Contract Recruiters thought quickly on their feet, flew by the seat of their pants, juggled a million balls at once, and operated at a thousand miles an hour.

In short, we were very, very different operators.

Cut from totally different cloth.

Polar opposites.

So imagine my surprise when I arrived in Australia years later to hear of this crazy concept called “a dual desk”, where the Recruiter was BOTH a Perm AND a Contract Recruiter.

My mind was blown! �� How would this even work? How could this be? What sort of black magic was at play in the Australian Recruitment Industry?

How would the calm, methodical mind of a Perm Recruiter adapt to the frenzied mechanics and pace of a contract placement?

How would the frenetic brain of a Contract Recruiter tackle the emotionally intelligent and logical process of a Permanent placement?

I just assumed that the Australian Recruitment Industry had got it all wrong. They naively thought the two worlds, the two brains could coexist on the same desk.

It didn’t make any sense, as I KNEW that this wasn’t possible. Science defied it.

Then the penny dropped.

The Australian Recruitment Industry had simply worked out that the modern day Recruiter was Inteligent and adaptable enough to master both Recruitment art forms.

They weren’t, as I first thought, simply hiring Recruiters with split-personalities, adopting a Jekyll & Hyde pantomime performance to every process.

They just tried it.

And low and behold, it worked.

Thus giving Recruiters the best of both worlds…

So, bravo to the Australian Recruitment Industry for believing that Recruiters had the ability to use both the left, and the right hand side of their brain. ��

Belief in a Candidate, and belief in your Rec2Rec, always ends with a happy result. 👊

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 02:49:12 GMT

Remember those crazy, scary, panic-ridden early days of Covid, when most of us not only didn’t know where our next placement was coming from, but even wondered if we’d ever make another placement ever again?

I bloody do!!!

Right in the middle of the brutal death grip of Covid, I got a call from a great Recruiter.

5 years with the same company. Great billing history. Articulate, educated and personable.

Under normal market conditions, he’d be (what they call) “a walking placement”.

I was excited to work with him. But also worried.

I knew it would be hard to place him, given practically nobody was hiring.

But I didn’t think it would be as hard as it turned out to be!

To further compound the challenge of the process, this Candidate had to be in a job SOON, as he’d bought a property off plan with his Partner, and he had a fast approaching deadline to submit paperwork proving his salary and income.

I believed in this Candidate, and vowed to him, and myself, to make the impossible happen, and find him a job within the barren desert, formally known as the Australian Recruitment Industry.

I’ll make this story short, because the reality of the story is way too long for LinkedIn.

But I reckon I spoke to 20-30 companies for this guy, and sold him passionately, every time.

And this happened over a period of many weeks.

Getting him interviews wasn’t that difficult. A lot of businesses were keen to meet him.

But they’d never go to second interview. And the story was always the same.

Rejection, because of Covid.

My Candidate, to his absolute credit, attacked every single interview with infectious energy, positivity and endless hope.

He was an inspiration.

But doors kept being relentlessly slammed in our face.

Eventually, after weeks and weeks of trying, we found a business potentially interested in hiring this chap, with a long term, post Covid lens.

To our delight and relief, an offer was made.

But we weren’t quite out of the woods.

His previous employer hadn’t loved the fact that this guy had left, and provided an “OK” reference, but not exactly a glowing reference.

For a day or so, we sat with baited breath to see if the offer would stand.

There was also some last minute haggling over Terms of Business. (Of course there was! ��)

But eventually, the good news came through that the paperwork was on its way.

It was genuinely a moment of joy, for so many reasons. For both of us.

I look back at this particular placement as one of the highlights of my 20+ year recruitment career.

It genuinely made me fall in love with my job again, at a time when I was desperate to do anything BUT recruitment.

Two years later, having survived the Covid years, the Candidate is still in the job.

This is the card he sent me, with a gift, once he was happily sitting with his feet under his remote desk from home, in his new gig.

Morale of the story?

Belief in a Candidate, and belief in your Recruiter, always ends with a happy result.

Do you really need a Degree to work in Recruitment?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 02:48:24 GMT

I spoke to a Recruiter yesterday who was rejected for a job, BEFORE HE EVEN INTERVIEWED FOR IT, and one of the reasons given for the rejection was that he didn’t have a Degree.

I pondered this all night while watching reruns of The Inbetweeners on the sofa.

Is it just me, or does anybody else agree that there is zero correlation between locking down a Degree (that will most likely have nothing to do with Recruitment), and a successful long-term career in Recruitment?

Yes, I totally get that it demonstrates that the Candidate (as a young person) has applied themselves, and persevered with something, to achieve “a thing”… I get that! I do!

But how does it determine whether they will (or not) be successful in Recruitment?

Could it be argued that a couple of years life experience (be it work or travel) are more valuable to a head start in Recruitment?

Don’t get me wrong… I totally understand the power of education, and if either of my kids tell me that they don’t plan on going to university, there’ll be some pretty tough conversations taking place at our house.

(That said, my kids are more like the kids from the aforementioned TV show, so I’m already bracing myself!)

But we’re talking about Recruitment here!

We all know it’s a career you can’t exactly study for, and that there isn’t really a Recruitment-bespoke Degree out there that even fits our industry!

So why, in 2022, do we still get hung up on degrees? Or lack thereof?

I used to live in New York City... Illegally.

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 27 May 2022 02:47:07 GMT

Admittedly, it was many years ago (26 years ago, to be exact), and I’ve been back a few times since. So I think I got away with it.

If you’ve never been to New York, it’s spine tinglingly amazing.

Every corner you turn is a moving postcard.

You don’t need to sight-see. Just walking the streets is more than enough.

But when I lived there, it was actually a rough old time for a while.

I couldn’t get a job, as I didn’t have a green card. So I was broke.

I was literally an alien Englishman in New York (or whatever it was that Sting was banging on about).

I’d spend my days walking round SoHo and Manhattan handing out my crap CV to any retail outlet or bar or cafe I could find.

Nobody was interested in hiring this illegal English bloke with a weird accent.

I’d end most of my days buying a beer and collapsing in an exhausted heap watching the street basketball games, that would usually end in a brawl. So you got double bang for your buck.

Eventually, after literally months of walking the streets getting nowhere, I walked into a store called Rugged Sole in Manhattan, near Washington Square Park. (It’s no longer there. It closed down after a drive-by shooting. I’m not kidding!)

Upon entering Rugged Sole, I did my usual 60 second CV pitch, which normally got cut short after 10 seconds when they usually closed me down with the standard rejection.

But on this occasion, I was told to come back the following day for an interview, and was told that Mr Haan (the Owner) would always meet people who had “the balls” to walk in off the street, because he also felt he owed it to others to do exactly what somebody had once done for him, when he first landed in America from Korea.

Long story short, I finally got a job in NYC.

Mr Haan agreed to pay me “under the table”, totally illegally. To give me a break.

So I worked my arse off (or “tail”, or “ass”, or “butt” if you’re local), and even got promoted to Manager after a few months.

But I was on peanuts. And living in NYC on peanuts is no life.

Eventually, and much sooner than I wanted to or should have, I flew home to England, demoralised. And still broke.

I vowed that one day I’d return to New York with some money in my pocket.

New York, if you have a few bucks in your wallet, is easily the coolest place to visit, or indeed live, on the planet.

Which leads me to a beautifully subtle little segue, letting you know that…

MINT RECRUITMENT IS CURRENTLY SEEKING RECRUITMENT CONSULTANTS FOR 3 x TIER 1 NYC BASED RECRUITMENT COMPANIES!

Australian Recruiters are in demand, in New York City.

LIVE THE “BIG APPLE” DREAM, but with actual money in your pocket!

Oh, and you’ll get your very own visa, and most definitely will not be illegal. ��

Contact me directly, and in confidence, for full and further details.

PS: Interesting little fun fact… While working at Rugged Sole, I once sold a pair of Timberlands to Susan Sarandon. I know! Check me out!!!

Keen to enter the wonderful Recruitment Industry? (VIDEO)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 27 May 2022 02:46:15 GMT

Watch the video...

What is it like to work in Recruitment nowadays, compared to the "bad old days"?

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 17 May 2022 02:45:14 GMT

About 9 months ago, in an attempt to generate (some) activity whilst in the grip of the greatest Recruiter talent drought we’ve ever seen, I begrudgingly (re)embarked on a “new” chapter of my R2R career that I thought I’d happily left behind in London in the mid 2000s.

And now I bloody love it!

I’m talking about placing young sales talent into the Recruitment Industry.

Back in London, I used to place lots of Rookies into the jungle that was the the UK IT recruitment market.

Every time I made a placement, I felt guilty.

What would become of these innocent people? Was it right that I got paid for young people to have their souls ripped out?

The industry would chew them up in weeks, spit them out, and they’d never be the same again.

It was “dog eat dog”.

Less “sink or swim”, more “drown or be eaten by sharks”.

Very few survived. Even less thrived.

The drop out rates were extraordinary.

So when I arrived in Australia 15 years ago, I vowed never to place another Trainee ever again.

My hands would not be stained with the blood of young Recruiters ever again.

If I had any chance of getting into the big recruitment agency in the sky, I knew I must only place experienced Recruiters. (You know, the ones who had already willingly sold their souls!)

But fast forward to 2021, the Recruitment Gods had different plans.

They forced my hand and made me realise that the time had come, once again, to lead these lambs to the slaughter.

So, through gritted teeth, I jumped back into the world of introducing young people to Recruitment.

I guiltily made a few placements, then peaked nervously through my fingers to see what kind of carnage would unfold.

But to my amazement, the most wonderful thing started to happen.

These young Trainee Recruiters turned around and said “thanks”… Seemingly grateful to be working in the Recruitment Industry.

Some even told me they were enjoying it, saying things like “it’s exactly what I was looking for”, and “it’s much better than I expected it to be!”

I was confused.

But, then the penny dropped.

This wasn’t London in the Noughties.

It was Australia in 2020’s… A world wiser and kinder, more patient and empathetic, because of what we’d learned courtesy of Old Mate Covid.

The Recruitment Industry was now an industry that would nurture young people with kid gloves, and show them the path to success… Rather than chuck them in at the deep end with a fax machine tied to each ankle.

So, in turn, though initially cautious, I started loving this part of my job. Feeling immense pride in helping and guiding these young people get their foot on the first rung of the Recruitment ladder.

I also think this is something that the Australian Recruitment Industry has long since needed.

We’ve depending on the Pom brigade for too long. (I can say that, because I’m a Pom!)

It’s wonderful to have an army of young Australian people embracing an awesome career in Recruitment.

And I’m proud to play my small part in helping that happen.

When I was a lad!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 10 May 2022 02:44:46 GMT

In just a few short months, my eldest Son will be legally old enough to go out and get his first job. 14 years and 9 months, to be exact.

But how times have changed.

At the age of 11, I had TWO paper rounds… One at 5.30am, and one at 5.30pm.

I’d be up before the crows, in the freezing pitch black, on a BMX with no lights (but very cool dice caps), with no way of calling home if I got a puncture, to collect my papers off a newsagent who, let’s just say, hated kids.

I’d then return home, exhausted, eat breakfast (4 Weetabix presented very little challenge), and then get myself off to school via a very lengthy walk to the bus stop.

But wasn’t my only job as a kid.

I was also a petrol pump attendant, a car washer (“Wax on, wax off”… Thanks Karate Kid!), and a glass collector in the local pub.

The money I earned was a pittance, but it was mine, and it helped fund my first purchases of a ghetto-blaster, “Hi-Top” trainers and hair gel.

This isn’t a post about developing work ethic early in life, or about how those miserable Tuesday 6am mornings made me the Recruiter I am today…

Not at all.

It’s more of a panic post as I come to the realisation that getting my spoilt and mollycoddled almost-15 year year old out to work to get a job is going to be an absolute f-cking nightmare!!! ��

What was your first job?

NB: Photo isn’t me. I had a chrome Ammaco Freestyler. (If you know, you know!)

So how do you DO Recruitment? 🤷

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Sat, 07 May 2022 02:44:14 GMT

I was asked this very question yesterday by a very self-aware Junior Recruiter, who after 3 months in the job, hasn’t yet made a placement.

And his very simple question to me was “So how do you “do” Recruitment?”

At first, I was stumped. I didn’t have a clue where to begin.

That’s like asking me how long a piece of string is. Or harder still, how Manchester United can secure a top four finish.

But, touched by the fact that somebody was reaching out to me for help, we got into it.

We started with the basics, we focused on some tweaks and corrections he could make in his current strategy, and we also went through a few tricks and tips.

Progress was made. I think. I hope.

But it was lovely to see somebody being proactive and reaching out, and using his network for his own development, instead of sitting silent and ultimately finding himself on a constant downward spiral to defeat.

I really do think this person will go very far.

And if he’s reading this post, don’t hesitate to reach out again.

��

Yesterday was a solemn day...

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 05 May 2022 02:43:30 GMT

Yesterday was a solemn day… I finally plucked up the courage to give away my three standard issue blue Recruiter suits.

It was a sad, but liberating moment.

As I handed over the burgeoning Ikea bag to the lovely lady at the op-shop, I started to describe to her what was in the bag.

I realised I was actually delivering an impromptu but heartfelt eulogy.

She had zero interest and cut me short telling me to “stick it over there with the others, Love!”

I placed the Ikea bag down, crouched down, and stroked the ties one last time.

Each had its own story. Each, an old friend.

I composed myself, and bravely walked out the shop.

As I reached the door, I looked over my shoulder to take one last glance at the body of armour that had protected me in the trenches of front line recruitment, month after month.

The old lady was examining a small spot on the lapel of one of my suits.

“Probably an almond latte from Strozzi”, I sniffed and smiled to myself, a tiny tear running down my cheek.

March on, Dear Friends… March on…

When is Recruitment beautiful? 💚

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Mon, 02 May 2022 02:42:43 GMT

There is quite possibly no better feeling for a Recruiter, than when a Candidate puts ALL of their faith in YOU, and you deliver the BEST possible outcome for them.

It’s a beautiful process, and a beautiful moment.

But it’s not always easy, and comes with a certain amount of pressure.

Imagine… A Candidate, for whatever reason, puts their faith and hope, and total career aspirations in YOUR hands!

They have family, and financial responsibilities, and ambitions… All of which now rest firmly on YOUR shoulders.

You simply HAVE to deliver. For them, for their family, for their dreams and hopes to be realised.

Sounds a bit wanky, right? But it’s true.

I LOVE this scenario!

I love believing in a Candidate and giving them my all. Advocating for them in every conversation. Selling them with the utmost passion because I truly believe in what I’m saying, and truly believe in that person.

I love the bond between Recruiter and Candidate when the two of you have made a pact to be a team, to the end, no matter how many rejections and setbacks you experience along the way.

I love it when you give that Candidate sound advice, and you just know they’re listening to your every word.

And above all else, I love it when you pick up the phone to call that Candidate to give them the news they’ve been waiting weeks to hear.

And their response?

“Mate, we did it!”

I know we do Recruitment because it pays well.

I know that. And of course, that applies to me too.

But when a Candidate says to you “Mate, we did it!”… Those are the moments that make this job, the job of a Recruiter, one of the best gigs there is.

Agree?

��

Why live here? When you can live HERE? ☂️ v ⛱️

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 12 Apr 2022 02:41:49 GMT

Why on earth are you still getting the Number 57 bus to work, through England’s grey concrete cities? Or the sardine-crushed Tube? Only to get off at your stop, straight into the horizontal wind and rain?

I just don’t get it. You must be nuts.

That’s why I have good news for all you UK Recruiters stuck in the UK.

I’m coming over in April to try and talk some sense into you.

I’ll be meeting UK Recruiters who dream of a MUCH better life in Australia, and letting you know everything you need to know about making the move to Australia that will change your life.

There’s no better time to move to the land of koalas, Vegemite, and Dame Edna…

✈️ The borders have finally properly opened, so they can no longer keep you out!

�� The market is smoldering hot! Like, SMOULDERING hot!

�� All Recruitment Leaders are projecting nothing but strong growth for at least another 2 years!

��Working Holiday Visas have been lengthened, making it much easier to get in here, quickly!

�� The Australian Recruitment Industry is fully embracing post-Covid work life balance, so you can literally spend half of your working week on the beach.

�� You can now download BritBox on your telly, so you won’t miss any important happenings on Eastenders or Corrie.

I’ll be holding meetings in both Manchester (��) and London (��) in April.

All you have to do is contact me directly (my email address is in the comments section below), then start practicing how to walk in your flip-flop (“thongs”) without developing a massive blister between your big toe and your next big toe.

PS: This is a real photo of a UK city taken just a few months ago. Anybody recognise it?

Selling Australia to UK Recruiters! (VIDEO)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 01:35:11 GMT

Selling Australia to UK Recruiters! ��

(VIDEO BELOW)

Stop being a massive "sook" (brilliant Australian slang)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 14 Jan 2022 01:35:09 GMT

My favorite Australian word is "sook". LOVE that word when it's used well. To anybody who doesn't know, "sook" is Australian slang for somebody who sulks and whinges because life isn't going their way. (Well, that's my interpretation of it anyway!)

And I was a "massive sook" over the festive period. Not gonna lie. First world problems got on top of me.

It started off with my UK trip being cancelled because of Old Mate Covid (a problem not exclusive to just me, by any stretch)...

Followed by one of my sausage dogs (Why are you laughing? Yes, I have more than one sausage dog!) nearly going to the big dog pound in the sky. He came back from the dead, but I had to nurse him back to health over Xmas...

Followed by a Covid case in the household that meant me and my kids essentially had to “isolate” (kind of) in an apartment, with the sausage dogs (plural), and pray that the Xbox novelty didn't wear off too quickly (which it did)...

All compounded by the fact that I was 12000 miles away from loved ones at such a family centric time.

Anyway, sook I did! Got well wrapped up in my first world problems.

But yesterday, I finally managed to get away from Melbourne, and the first thing I did was find a deserted beach, and run to the end of that particular beach till I literally ran out of beach.

And I had proper old school house music blaring into my ears... Not the type of house music you find on "Now This Is House Music" compilations.

It was glorious. I hadn't felt that alive in weeks, if not months.

Anyway, that thing on my face, between my AirPods, is a smile. Something that I'm very guilty of not flashing much over Christmas.

But all it took was one run in the sun, with the wind in my thinning hair, and sand up my nostrils, to help me get perspective and remember that life is pretty cool when you allow yourself to get your regular dose of the simple pleasures in life... And that crappy times don't last forever.

If you feel like you're in a slump, get out and stick your head in the water at the beach. You'll be amazed what it can do for you!

2022! Let's have it!!!

��

How was your first day back at work in 2022? (VIDEO)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 01:35:08 GMT

How was your first day back in 2022? This was mine!!!

A window into the year to come…? What are YOU expecting in 2022?

Another year of more PBs? Or will 2022 become known as the “Year Of The Great Counter Offer”?

Will “The Great Resignation” still happen? Keen to know how your first day back was, and what you’re expecting for the year ahead!

Fingers crossed, Kids. Now go get ‘em!!!

PS: Please forward any Oscar nominations straight to the Academy. Much appreciated.

(VIDEO BELOW)

Today is the first day of my 10th year without a drink. 🥂

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 01:35:05 GMT

Today is the first day of my 10th year without a drink. A day that (once upon a time), I never dreamed would ever become a reality.

I don't label myself as "sober", or "teetotal", or "in recovery". I'm just a bloke who doesn't drink anymore.

Now, if you choose to continue reading this post, I promise you won’t be lectured about the evils of booze, or be bored with examples of how perfect my life is without it.

Quite the opposite. In fact, in some areas of my life, "not drinking" has created some massive challenges for me, like:

* "Can I really get up and dance, in a room of strangers, stone cold sober?"

* "Can my bladder handle drinking 8 pints of coke tonight?"

* "Is it really fair that I have to spend $100 on this round, yet I'm drinking coke?" (That's the tight Northerner speaking!)

I jest!

I won't drone on about the virtues of a life without alcohol, because to some (if not, most) of you reading this, you won't have a problem with it.

You can take or leave it, and happily co-exist with the odd social beer or wine. And kudos, nay, cheers to you!

But somebody out there (somebody like ME a decade ago), might read this and be silently/secretly thinking… “I wish I knew what "not drinking" felt like!” “Why can’t I get a decent length of time under my belt without drinking?” “How do I stop, but stay “stopped?""

To THOSE people, I'd like to tell you that it IS possible. If you really want to stop.

And I'd also like to tell you that every reason that you tell yourself that you can't stop drinking, is only in your head. For example, I promise you, you won't become ostracized from society, and you won't become "boring".

I'd also like to tell you that "not drinking" just might become one of your greatest life achievements, something that you become immensely proud of. (Just think about that for a second).

Imagine replacing "shame and regret" with "pride and self-respect".

Life without a drink will still be life! And life will still throw up daily challenges and problems. But I can promise you one thing... Life's problems are so much easier to navigate when you don't have an angry, drunk gorilla on your back, constantly tapping your head with a mallet.

The photo attached (which admittedly was taken many years before I actually stopped drinking), is me of old. Always had a drink in my hand and always looking for a night out. But I happen to know for a fact I woke up the morning after this particular night out with a badly chipped tooth and a raging hangover. I don't necessarily remember it being the best night of my life.

(Sadly, I also woke up still sporting the ponytail and still wearing those terrible white jeans!)

Anyway, the mistake I made (beyond the ponytail), was that I let the hangovers continue for another 20 years.

But YOU don't have to. If you want to reach out for help, I'll help you in any way I can get that ‘orrible gorilla off your back.

(PS: I promise I won't offer fashion advice!)

The Mint R2R Xmas Party 2021 WENT OFF! 🎅 (VIDEO)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 01:35:04 GMT

Last night, Mint Recruitment had it’s Xmas party, and IT WENT OFF! (See accompanying video… But be warned… Parental Advisory content warning applies!)

All of the global team were invited (being my business partner, Frank“Ebeneezer” Wadsworth and me), but Frank totally forgot about it and slept through my numerous calls to remind him. (He later blamed the time difference, but I reckon he was just worried about keeping up with me and/or embarrassing himself!)

But I improvised without him. I hardly even noticed he wasn’t there in the end.

Many Heineken Zeros were consumed, and I’m not gonna lie, it got pretty messy.

Things kicked off nice and early, around 3pm, and didn’t end till about 3.10pm (as I had to go and do the school pick up.)

As we all wrap up for Xmas, I’d like to thank absolutely everybody I’ve had the pleasure of working and collaborating with throughout one of the craziest years on record… All the Candidates, all the Clients, the Mentors, the Mentees, the Sponsors, the podcast guests, fellow Wagoneers… EVERYBODY!

Have a wonderful festive break, Kids, and we’ll see you on the other side, when we’ll do it all over again!!!

IN A BIT!!! ��

VIDEO BELOW...

10 years working together, and no sign of divorce, yet...

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Sat, 30 Oct 2021 12:23:18 GMT

In 1999, I walked into the offices of the SThree Group in Manchester.

Somewhere in amongst the cuff links and fat ties was a somewhat out-of-place (humble and modest) chap called Frank Wadsworth.

I didn’t pay him much attention. Nor did he me.

He was a Contract Recruiter. We sophisticated Perm Recruiters didn’t mix with rhe riff-raff! ��

So I had no reason to engage with Frankie Wadsworth. And vice versa.

9 months into my tenure at the SThree Group, I barely noticed as Frank bid his farewells to his Contract colleagues, and quietly got on a plane to Australia.

Shortly after, somebody said to me “I think that Frank bloke used to work with that client!”

“Frank?” said I. “Frank Who?”

He was already a distant memory.

8 long years later, I too found myself landing in Australia, with the daunting task of starting an R2R in a city of strangers.

I knew not a single person. Nobody! I scratched my head. There must be at least one person I can reach out to, to try and breathe life into my little business.

Then, light bulb moment! I remembered!

“That Frank bloke”. “Nice Frank” they called him. HE moved to Melbourne. "I wonder what he’s doing!" "I wonder if he’s still even in Recruitment?" "I wonder if he's still "nice"?"

I somehow looked him up.

Turned out “Nice Frank” had done alright for himself.

Not only had he became a Million Dollar Biller, but he was now an award winning Manager for one of the best recruitment brands in Australia.

“Flash bastard”, I thought. "Best give him a wide berth!" But, I was desperate. So I rang him.

We caught up, and annoyingly, I quickly remembered why people called him “nice”.

He was still a thoroughly decent human.

Frank was in a position to give me a chance, and without hesitation, gave me a leg up.

He became my 1st client in Australia, and we did LOTS of business together. He significantly helped me launch my little empire here in Australia, when I knew absolutely nobody else.

Then, over the years, that acquaintanceship became a friendship.

He confided in me one day that he was tiring of the corporate hamster wheel he'd been spinning round on for a decade.

I said “Well, stop being somebody else’s gimp, and work for yourself, with me, but for yourself, and me, but mainly for you, but also for/with me, but for yourself, alongside me, on your own, obviously!”

It was such a powerful pitch, he had no choice but to say "Yes"!

His lovely Mum (unbeknownst to me) even signed her home over to him so he could access equity, in case of fiscal emergency. (See post below).

That was exactly 10 years ago.

That “humble and modest” chap from 1999 became the best colleague I could ask for. (But he’s still “annoyingly nice”).

HAPPY 10 YEARS, FRANKIE!

PS: I couldn't find a 10 year old photo of us to accompany this post, then it occurred to me that the Mint website hasn't been updated for about a decade! PERFECT! So I just stole a screenshot off of that and ever so slightly amended it!

My first horrible week in Recruitment!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 07 Oct 2021 12:23:45 GMT

Back in 1999, three weeks into my first recruitment role, I realised I’d made a massive mistake.

Recruitment was not for me. I wasn’t cut out for it.

Why? Well, the concept of cold-calling a complete stranger, in front of a room full of uber-confident Recruiters, paralysed me with fear.

And making cold BD calls was a massive part of the job. (I knew this before accepting the job, but chose not to give it a seconds thought).

One lunchtime, after a particularly traumatic morning of failed BD calls, I warm-called my then girlfriend from a pay phone in Manchester city centre and said “I’ve messed up. I can’t do this! I should never have left my old job to do this!” (She offered very little in terms of basic BD training in response).

This fear of offending a complete (scary) stranger by calling them in the middle of their busy day, or being told to “go away” by an angry MD who’d already had 3 other cold calls that day, was enough to make me break into cold sweats. (No mean feat in the typical Manchester climate!)

So what was I going to do?

I had gone to extreme lengths to break into Recruitment. This job was all I ever wanted. This job was going to put me on the path I wanted to be on in life. Recruitment was going to make me a WINNER! (Yes, I had fallen for the hype!)

And now it was slipping through my fingers. The same reluctant fingers that couldn’t punch numbers on my desk phone.

The dream was over before it had even begun.

So, how did I find myself still working in Recruitment 20+ years later, when it looked like I was ready to quit after 3 pathetic weeks?

Well, in short, I had a word with myself…

Told myself to stop catastrophising every single cold call.

Reminded myself that I’d most likely never meet those few people who got angry at me down the phone.

Accepted that even if somebody did get their underpants in a twist, it really didn’t matter. They weren’t going to find my address in the phone book, come round my house and stab my dog.

Taught myself to learn from every badly executed BD call, rather than automatically assuming I wasn’t cut out for Recruitment.

It wasn’t an overnight fix. It definitely took months not weeks to get over myself, but I got there eventually.

Eventually, in time, it became second nature. Almost easy. (And I didn’t even practice in the bathroom mirror!)

And guess what, to this day, none of those bad calls exist in my memory. I can only remember the successful calls.

So… To all those salespeople and Recruiters out there struggling with a little bit of “Phone Phobia”, ask yourself this…

What are you actually scared of?

Because I can guarantee, whatever it is, the BIG scary thing you’re worried about either isn’t even real and only exists in your head, or won’t even happen.

So, crack on… Pick up that phone… It quite literally will not bite you… ☎️��

10 things you should think about before entering the Recruitment Industry! (VIDEO)

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 13:23:36 GMT

So you’ve decided to enter the Recruitment Industry?

Congratulations! It’s a bloody great industry to be part of.

But here’s 10 SIMPLE things that you should do, that will help you get a foot in the door!

(VIDEO BELOW)

STRAIGHT OUTTA BROMLEY!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 08:38:11 GMT

Back in the day, in the early 90s, there was a street-wise gang that achieved a level of notoriety that the Cripps and Bloods could only dream of.

Guns weren't their weapon of choice... Phones were.

They didn't sell crack on street corners... They sold AS400 Programmers.

Their street colours weren't red and blue... They wore fat YSL ties, red socks and England cufflinks.

They didn't rap to gain street credibility... They overcame objections.

They didn't serve time in the penitentiary... They went to Ibiza.

Snitches didn't get stitches... Deals got new wheels.

They didn't do drive by’s... They car pooled.

They didn't go underground... They rebranded.

They didn't dream of getting out of the hell hole they'd been cursed to be born in... On the contrary, they were quite happy that notorious IT recruitment firms popped up in places like Bromley.

Make no mistake, these were rough, tough, dog eat dog, sink or swim, only-the-strong-survive days.

Back in the day, going to work every day as an IT Recruiter was like entering the gladiatorial amphitheatre. Sometimes you won, sometimes you died.

Bonds were made, that could never be broken. A code of honour existed that some old school Recruiters still follow today. An omerta code, if you will, except in Cockney slang.

These were the glory days of the legendary London IT Recruiter. Never to be seen again.

A decade of decadence in which “Wide Boys” gorged on champagne, Rolex's, Porsches, massive Nokias, and Millwall season tickets.

They had it good. Nay, they ‘ad it large! And they unapologetically enjoyed every second of it.

They put the “hard” into “work” and “play”.
But this old school generation of hard knocks couldn't live forever.

Eventually, their reign of power had to come to an end. Their numbers started to dwindle as the industry witnessed the birth of party-pooping “boutiques” and “lifestyle businesses’.

But what became of these warriors?

Some moved to Kent. Some found God… Or booze. Some went Internal. Some even moved to Australia to start afresh. Some went back to selling double-glazing or second hand cars. Some retired (early).

But, I'm pleased to say, some still walk amongst us today. Tall and proud. Proud of who they once were.

And I for one, salute them.

They were the trail blazers. The original Gordon Gekkos. They inspired a whole generation of young, innocent minds who naively followed their lead (like money hungry little lemmings).

Today, their swagger might be gone. And the power dressing might be replaced with chinos and polo shirt.

(If you're over 35, you might even know one. They walk amongst us! It’s easy to spot them… They finish every sentence with a cheeky little wink!)

But their never accept “no” for an answer, and always get a good price for Grandma attitude lives on.

So, to all the Geezers and Barrow Boys still out there showing us how it's done after all these years, we salute you.

Legends never die.

Keep flying the flag.

I sent my CV to Coles, and thank god they ghosted me!

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Fri, 21 Aug 2020 08:38:11 GMT

Picture the scene. It’s 24th March and this thing, this monster called “Coronavirus” has hit our shores. It’s Armageddon, World War 3 and “Zombie, Day Of The Living Dead" all rolled into one.

The panic and hysteria in the recruitment industry, is bad enough. But it’s nothing compared to the panic and hysteria in my head.

After I’ve stood in the mirror doing my best Churchill "We will fight them on the beaches" impression multiple times, reality starts to creep in, and I come to accept that my little business that has served me well for a decade and a half is now useless. An empty shell. It's over. Life without an income simply isn’t an option.

But those very selfish and inconsiderate kids of mine still need to fed and clothed.

I need a solution... Fast. I need money. I NEED A JOB!

I’ve heard Coles are hiring Internal Recruiters. Their HO is five minutes drive from my house.

Surely they’ll be gagging to hire me? The CEO will probably ring me personally to thank me for my application? They’ll probably send a driver to pick me up each day for work!

I squash my pride into the palm of my hands, insert it into a reusable sandwich bag, and hide it behind my underpants. Nobody will find it there.

But I’ll know where to find it if I ever need it again.

And then I sit down and write my CV. (Something I haven't done since being self-employed, sixteen years ago).

I go to work.

Man, it’s a work of art. A thing of beauty. It’s the most beautiful CV I’ve ever seen. I could get a job ANYWHERE with this fucking thing. Almost seems a shame to waste it on Coles, but it’s their lucky day. I hit “send” on the email and start ironing my work shirt.

Half an hour passes, and to my shock and horror, Coles haven’t replied. WTF! What kind of Micky Mouse operation are they running down there?

Do I take my own Recruiters advice, and follow up my application with a well timed and polite phone call? No, fuck that. I’ll wait.

I’ll give them till tomorrow .

Tomorrow comes and goes. I’ll give them till Friday .

Friday comes and goes. I’ll give them till Monday .

(You get the picture!)

Coles, the supermarket, never come back to me. I’m fully ghosted. Full on rejected (I assume). I don’t even merit a “thank you for your application, but unfortunately, on this occasion...” letter.

Fuck. What’s Plan B?

I could try Woolies. But I don’t think I can handle any more rejection.

Can’t pivot. Everybody hates that word. I’ll be cast out . Ostracised from society. I can just imagine the discussions around the dinner party table. “What ever happened to that bloke from Mint?” “Oh, you mean Pete? He pivoted!” “Pivoted? What a dick!”

Reality TV? Nah. Too old and boring. I’d be voted out Week 1. Week 2 at best. Then I’d still need a job.

Right. Last resort. There’s no other choice...

I open the underpants drawer, and pull out my pride.

I’m simply going to have to dig deep, hustle “like it’s 1999” (coincidentally the year my recruitment career actually started, but also the year referenced in a catchy tune by Prince that lends itself perfectly to this LinkedIn monologue), work arguably harder than I’ve worked in years, annoy the fuck out of everybody with regular LinkedIn drivel, and quite simply, try and administer the breath of life to my dying little business, currently lying on the operating table with its dehydrated tongue hanging out.

Oh. And stop feeling fucking sorry for myself (like Rocky does in the first 60 minutes of every Rocky movie, which I’ve watched back to back during lockdown).

Fast forward 5 months.

Has it worked like I planned? Liked I hoped? Like I dreamed? Like I believed?

No. Of course it fucking hasn’t. There’s a global pandemic going on.

Have I generated a small amount of income? Yes.

Have my kids starved to death? Not yet.

Have I annoyed the fuck out of everybody on LinkedIn? Absolutely, and that’s a work in progress. (Sorry!)

Does it look like my little business will survive Covid19? Fingers crossed, yes.

Can I look myself in the mirror, a little bit proud of how I’ve responded to Covid19? Absolutely.

Is there a point to this article? Moral of the story?

Yeah, kind of. Don't throw the towel in. Take time to consider that what might seem like the hardest option, might actually also be the right option.

All I can say is... Even if working hard through this pandemic doesn’t make you much money... Even if it just keeps you afloat, but keeps your sanity and your pride in tact... it’s worth doing.

What would I have done if Coles had called me in for an interview? God knows. Thankfully, because they completely blanked me, I'll never know!

But I'm so happy I didn't throw in the towel.

We need to talk about mental health in Recruitment-Land...

Pete@MintR2R.com (Pete Watson) — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 07:38:11 GMT

In my second year in IT recruitment in the UK (circa 1999), my desk was moved. Moving desks was a common practice in our office, designed, I guess to keep the office energised and allow Consultants to bounce off different personalities.

In my second year of recruitment, I was no longer considered a Rookie, and whilst still junior-ish, I was considered "experienced", and certainly expected to know what I was doing. And I was definitely expected to be billing well.

But, truth be told, I simply wasn’t advancing or improving at the rate I should have been, or hoped I would. I just wasn’t.

I can point the finger of blame at any one of a dozen factors, but the reality was, I wasn’t making the cut. I wasn’t progressing. If anything, I was regressing, and I was definitely starting to consider if I even had a future career in recruitment.

Then, came the desk move.

I was sat directly in front a chap called Matt. Matt was your stereo-typical late-90s IT Recruiter. Loud, well-dressed, loads of energy, loads of confidence, and totally single-minded on his only objective in life which was to earn as much money as he possibly could.

Beneath his brash, impenetrable IT Recruiter persona, I had no doubt that Matt was a top bloke. But I never got to see the real Matt, as he became “Matt the IT Recruiter” at 8.30am every morning when he walked through that office door.

So, this is the dude that I was sat in front of, at the exact time when I was having serious concerns about whether I could even cut it in this industry.

Two more polar opposite career stages could not have been better matched.

Now, Matt didn’t really notice much about what was going on around him. Like I say, he was super-focused. Proper tunnel vision. If something was happening around him that didn’t help him make money, he paid it very little attention. It was head down, bum up, from dawn till dusk. This boy was on a mission.

And I dare say he didn’t notice me. At least for the first few weeks. I was just another face in his face. I was quite insignificant to him. And I was cool with that. Truth be told, I didn’t really want Matt to notice me.

I didn’t want to be caught out by the bloke who bashed out new business calls like he was ordering a pizza. While I struggled to get through one BD call without breaking into a sweat, having a mild panic attack and stuttering and stammering through the whole thing.

In short, I was the opposite of Matt. I was going backwards. He was on a mission. And I was running scared. Scared about losing my job, and scared about my future.

One day, after a particularly bad and unsuccessful BD call, I put the phone down, incredibly disheartened. I just sank down into my chair, and stared into space. For ages. Just sat there and stared. Trying to make myself invisible. Praying for the day to end.

Matt was a guy who never sat down. He was always on his feet, selling, pacing. The carpet around his desk had long since disappeared.

Somehow he noticed me slumping in my chair. He stopped what he was doing, sat down in his own chair, and leaned across and said “You alright, Watto? What’s going on?”

So, here I am, with a golden opportunity to say “Actually, Matt, you know what, Mate, I could really use some help…”

And that’s exactly what I should have said. But I didn’t.

What I did instead was, sit bolt upright, cleared my throat, gave it“the big ‘un”and said “Yeah, fine Mate. You?”

Pride and stupidity stopped me from asking for help when I had the perfect opportunity to get some. Why? Who knows? Was it shame? Was it embarrassment? Yep, probably both.

But it was also fear of being labelled or being seen as weak, as flawed, in an industry where only the strong survive. Where only the strong are supposed to exist.

Instead of grabbing that help with both hands, I instead decided to battle on, rudderless. And as you’d expect, things just got progressively worse.

Ultimately, after a couple of years, I moved to Sydney, a move that I now know was essentially me running away from what was already a failing IT Recruitment career.

Now, I’d love to tell you that this is where the story has a happy ending. You know… Got to Sydney, energised and loving life, and started making ridiculous amounts of money in the lucrative Sydney IT recruitment market of the early 2000s.

But because I still didn’t know how to ask for help, and was becoming an expert at burying my head in the sand, things went from bad to worse.

If anybody is reading who hired me between the years 2000 and 2003, I apologise, as you hired a dud.

Shame, embarrassment, male pride, and stupidity continued to stop me asking for help.

And(finally getting to the bloody point of this article),my failing career started to have a serious negative impact on my mental health. I was never diagnosed with anything, as this “stoic Northerner” would never dream of going to talk to a doctor about something as pathetic as feelings.

But reflecting on that time, I was pretty miserable. Felt like a failure. Had very few moments of happiness in my career. Started to feel like there was no light at the end of the tunnel. I definitely had bouts of anxiety in the workplace, particularly when things would inevitably go wrong.

And it really didn't need to be that way. I could have saved myself all that turmoil just by talking to people around me.

Why am I telling this story, in the public domain?

Well, because in my role as a forty-something Rec-to-Rec, I now see so many young people struggling to find happiness in recruitment, and I worry about them. I see things, and hear things, that make me think they’re going through something similar to me, and they don’t know how to get out of their funk. And they look lost, and they look scared. And I just wonder: Who’s looking out for them?

We, as an industry, have a responsibility to look out for not only the young people in our industry, but also the people who have been around a few years. We can't just assume that the veterans are OK, just because they've got a few battle scars. We should all be looking out for one another, and not just ourselves.

We have to remember that people who are struggling don’t always have the courage or the common sense to put their hand up and ask for help. So it’s our job, and our responsibility to reach out to them.

This industry is prime breeding ground for mental health issues. This job is tough!

Yet plenty suffer in silence.

It reminds me of the sporting community, where there must be thousands of professional and amateur sportsmen and sportswomen terrified to tell their team-mates they are gay. Terrified of being ostracised for something that's entirely blameless.

And you know what, if they did speak up, chances are they’d get nothing in response but love and support.

So, friends in the recruitment industry, I beg you…. Let’s keep an eye open for people you think might be struggling.

There’s probably a lot more of them than you might think.

PS: This story does actually have a happy ending. I finally came to my senses, realised I was a pretty crap IT Recruiter, tried my hand at Rec-to-Rec, and realised pretty quickly that I was OK at it. The rest (as they say) is my history! The other moral of this story might be... Don't flog a dead horse!!!