1. How did you enter in to the industry?
Ironically my career began as a Technical Recruiter within the telecommunications
division of Allegis in London. It was a baptism of fire but I learnt on my feet and became
successful in the position and soon advanced to Account Management. But 3 years
in I began to find the transactional element of recruitment no longer satisfied me; I
handed in my resignation and gave myself 6 months to think about a new direction!
It was through working in a temporary project-based role at American Express that I
later decided to get in to project management. The only application I ever made for a
Project Manager position was to Agilent Technologies (a newly created international
organization as the result of a spin off from Hewlett Packard) and, after a thorough
interview process- and some serious blagging on my part- I was miraculously offered
the job! I worked within numerous functions and on various regions during my time at
HP/Agilent including Europe and the Middle East which was an extremely challenging
but fascinating experience. And then, 10 years later, I was contacted out of the blue
by an old University friend who had worked in recruitment since graduating and who
had recently taken a position at Kelly. He was looking to build up a team of account
managers and asked me to consider applying. I was kind of comfortable where I was
but didn’t have any incentive to grow so was becoming a little bored. So I decided
to go for the Kelly position and was astounded to find the world of recruitment
was unrecognisable to the one I had left behind all those years ago. It was highly
consultative and project driven and I knew immediately that I could transfer my skills
and experience to the industry with ease. Luckily for me I got the job!
What skills do you need to be able to effectively interface
between Kelly and the customer?
First and foremost you need to be assertive and possess plenty of common sense! But
above all else you must be a people person and be genuinely excited by the necessity
to engage with people of all levels. The ability to ‘wear different hats’ is also pretty
important given that you are frequently required to switch between being a Kelly
spokesperson to the customer and a customer spokesperson to Kelly.
What advice would you give someone looking to get in to your current role?
What have been you biggest
professional achievements to date?
Getting the technical project management
job at HP/Agilentwas a life changing
achievement as I was relatively young
and inexperienced at the time and had
really to sell myself to get it. I got an
enormous confidence boost when I
was then recognised within the highest
ranking employees at Agilent. People
were interested in my opinion or came
to me for advice and this felt like a huge
accomplishment.
How do you deal with conflict in your role?
Sometimes my role demands me to deliver
uncomfortable messages from the customer
to Kelly, for example that we may require
further investment to ensure our business
is attractive. But by consistently addressing
Kelly’s and the clients best interests- whether
long term or immediate- you can find a
happy balance between the customers’
needs and Kelly’s goals.
What are the key characteristics
of a good leader?
A good leader trusts, empowers and
respects their team and leads by example.
Where do you see yourself
in 10 years time?
Ultimately if I could further my career in to
higher management and be responsible for
an entire division, managing people as well
as programs I would be extremely fulfilled.
This is My Story
Be open
minded
Be
consultative
Remember
that business is
handled in different
ways by different
people
Push yourself
to listen more
than you
speak...
...To ensure you
understand the
true and
transparent needs
to the customer
Who inspired you to be
who you are today?
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have been
managed and coached by some great
people over the course of my professional
career. I could name 2 or 3 people who
taught me and took me under their wing
and who nurtured and believed in my
ability. I really have these people to thank
for what I have learned and where I am
today.
Roberto
Monreale,
Global Solutions EMEA
What are you passionate about
outside of your job?
Since marrying and having my daughter,
my life revolves around my family
and socialising with friends.
I also try to keep fit, playing
football and tennis
and working out as
I’m always at my
happiest when I’m
physically on good form.