If I Knew Then: Christine Christodoulou

Christine Christodoulou is South West regional director for ReThink Recruitment, a consultancy that services resourcing needs across a number of industry sectors from offices in London, Manchester, Bristol, and Birmingham.

The company is the ‘open market’ recruitment division of the Rethink Group, which delivers strategic recruitment and talent management services internationally to transform businesses into higher performing organisations. 

The group currently records annual sales in excess of £140m, and has continued to grow every year since its inception in 2005.

How did you start at ReThink? 

I started at ReThink six years ago as a contracts manager and my remit was to build a specialist contract team. The co-founding director at ReThink had been looking for a contracts manager for a few years, and engaged a headhunter who had been tracking my career and staying in touch every few months. She finally caught me on the right day and I agreed to have a meeting with ReThink.

If you knew then what you know now, what mistakes might you have avoided? 

I would have made the move from my first recruitment company sooner; I was there for eight years in total. Although it gave me fantastic training, progression and success, it was a huge corporate company. It was easy to get ‘swallowed up’ and start believing that the only reason you were good at your job, was because of the brand name behind you rather than your personal skills. When I made the move to a smaller company, it gave me a chance to expand my skill set enormously and be involved in management, leadership and strategy. I didn’t realise back then, that your role is more narrowly defined within a big company environment. A smaller company often gives you the opportunity to experience more.  

What advice would you have given yourself when starting out? 

Take advantage of all the training that’s available. Even if you think you already have the knowledge and skills, it’s important to push yourself out of your comfort zone.  Meet everyone – people buy from people, and you never know when someone will be able to help you in the future, so I’d advise networking like crazy!  Manage upwards, question everything, and demand more from yourself by not settling for mediocrity. Invest time and effort early on in your career to set yourself up for the future. 

If you knew then what you know now, would you still be sitting here?

Absolutely. Recruitment is really tough, very competitive and an emotional rollercoaster, but there are few other jobs out there that can give you the same level of career progression.                         

What do you know now that you didn’t know then? 

Everything! I knew nothing about business, sales, management or leadership. When I started out, I thought that managing people meant that you had to behave in a certain way, be tough on everyone all the time, and instil fear to get your team working hard. I now know that you need to manage each individual differently. You need to care – not just pretend to care – and actually invest emotionally to get the best out of people and also create an environment where they are happy and want to work hard for both you and themselves.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received so far? 

Own your mistakes and don’t be afraid to show vulnerability. You don’t necessarily have to rely on traditional management traits and techniques to be successful in business.

What is your business highlight?

It has to be my promotion to director last year and also winning an award for outstanding management and leadership. Our award recently for the happiest workplace in the South West is also pretty special!

What is your business low point? 

The first was my first six months in recruitment. I hated it, and cried every day simply because I was an absolute snob about doing a sales-related role after graduation. I thought I was better than that. The second low point was being taken to court by my previous employer when I left the business to join ReThink. I felt that it was done to set an example and intimidate other employees thinking of leaving the business. The office has closed down now! 

What keeps you awake? 

Any business decisions relating to my team play on my mind; how are they feeling, did I make the best decision for their career as well as the company, how does it impact on the bigger picture, and are they motivated?

What’s changed from when you started out? 

I would say that both technology and the competition have changed enormously. When I started out we had roller decks with contact details, drawers full of CVs and the phone was glued to our ears. Now, technology and social media have changed the way we source candidates and the way we engage with them. On the competition front, when I started out, there were a few key players and you offered a valued service. Now it seems like there is a recruitment agency on every corner, and that has diluted the perception of our service and its value. 

What’s still on your to-do list? 

Becoming MD or chief people officer.

What’s next for ReThink? 

We continue to work hard building the reputation of our brand as an employer, and as a trusted service provider. Our growth will continue to come organically from providing an outstanding service, delivered by outstanding people. We also plan growth by developing new and exciting markets and through acquisition.

Read more: Sector spotlight: recruitment