Head of Talent Acquisition secures exciting future with help from Career Evolution

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When Bryan’s latest assignment finished in 2022, he found himself on the job market, for the first time since he had graduated. After taking a few months off to travel and explore some personal opportunities, it was time to start looking seriously for his next role. Bryan explains: “I had been so lucky to have been ‘in work’ straight from my studies, and I had underestimated the challenges of being on the market. I was looking for my next move at a time when recruitment had been deprioritised across many sectors, infamously known as an incredibly competitive environment anyway, and it took a lot longer than I expected to get things moving. Eventually, a great friend suggested I talk to Sue Thomas from Career Evolution, and he made the introduction.”

Although Career Evolution normally works directly with businesses, providing outplacement for their teams, Sue agreed to take Bryan on as a client. “From the first meeting, I knew I had found my ‘thought partner.’ Working with Sue left me energised, inspired, and knowing what I was going to do next. I had found my Guru.” – Bryan maintains.

Reach for the sky

Bryan’s background was in the recruitment industry/people leadership within travel and entrepreneurial start-ups, who needed to scale up, exponentially and rapidly. Sue collaborated with him to identify the actions, delivery, and output that he needed to undertake to find his next role – which was essential as “you’re either ready to ramp up and raise the bar with your recruitment (and need a Head of Talent Acquisition), or you don’t…”

“Sue proved to be a consistent thread and a solid touchstone for me throughout the process of finding my next role. Your resilience is really put to the test when you are looking for your next career move, but she was there throughout my best and worst days. Celebrating my wins and reminding me I could do this, even at times where it felt like things were more out of reach, than within my grasp.”

One of the areas that Career Evolution helped Bryan with was tracking and documenting what he was doing and helping him navigate the virtual world. “LinkedIn was a very important part of the process but it’s easy to forget what you have done; by tracking my activity I was able to keep focused, do my own analytics and hold myself accountable for making things happen, day by day.”

An excellent bet

Five months into the quest, Bryan secured his next adventure and a role with DAZN Bet as its new Head of Talent Acquisition.

“The stars aligned – a world class opportunity had presented itself and I knew my new home, already felt like ‘home’.” No stranger to travel or working globally, Bryan now divides his time between sunny Manchester, very sunny Gibraltar and even sunnier, Malta!

When asked how the support from Sue Thomas and Career Evolution has helped the most, Bryan concluded: “Sue’s support gave me the reason to get up and get on it. She provided me with laser sharp focus, which was laced with humanity. One of the biggest benefits was her impeccable knowledge and expertise – and of course the fact that I had someone to walk down the road with me until I found my dream job. Sue made such an impact and a difference to me, but she also made sure that I was making a difference to myself, personally and professionally every day. Now that is what I call – a Guru!”

‘Tis the season to be jolly!

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We all love a jolly get together and Christmas time is the perfect excuse. Christmas is an important time for bonding and bringing the team together and the end-of-year party is a great time to encourage enthusiasm for the year ahead. Enjoying a Christmas celebration together is a way to say thank you to all the team for their hard work and when you organise a fun experience at Christmas, the team will remember and respond to the gesture with loyalty and hard work.

Forget all your worries

It’s been a difficult year for many with the ever-rising cost of living and flexibility in the workplace since the pandemic means many of the team work separately some are back in the office, whilst other’s work from home. Its all fragmented and a get together for the whole office can bring the team together. This is good for team morale, and it should also be noted it’s a good idea to bring the team together other times of the year not just Christmas. Rewarding a team with a party shows that you appreciate all the commitment and ongoing hard work.

Team bonding

In work, you often spend as much time with your co-workers as you may do at home with your spouse and loved ones. Therefore, it’s important for everyone to have the opportunity to build good relationships with their co-workers too.

Socialising at work helps to strengthen the quality of workplace relationships, which enables the team to work together better. The development of good relationships in the workplace can increase employer morale; co-workers look forward to spending time with one another while they do their jobs. A happy and well-adjusted workforce is a productive one. When employees feel connected to a workplace, whether because they enjoy their work or consider the workforce to be like a second family, they will be less likely to want to seek employment elsewhere.

Office party etiquette

Office get togethers are a great opportunity to bring people together, but such events are not without their risks – particularly when a vast amount of free alcohol is provided. Its good for people to feel they can be themselves without the office and professional façade, however you still need to remain professional. It is not a time and place to bring out your challenges and frustrations about work – that should be done in the office.

Ultimately, a popping champagne cork, dancing in front to the Christmas tree, turkey dinners and socialising with a team of work mates and colleagues. Socialising at work helps to strengthen the quality of workplace relationships, which enables the team to work together better. Christmas is an important time for bonding and bringing the team together.