Talent Acquisition Consultant Review

My role involves managing internal recruitment for the whole site, whether that's front line or back office positions. I recruit externally and internally for the business and it is my responsibility to make sure we keep our headcount for the year by filling inductions with the required amount of candidates. We advertise using our own careers site as well as major job boards and LinkedIn. The role is fast paced and demanding but also very rewarding.

When I started this role I had very little experience within Talent Acquisition so I knew it would be a challenge, however it was a challenge I knew I could take on. I had on the job training from my team and I also felt it was important that if I was doing this role I wanted to take it seriously and do as much as I could get enough knowledge and experience to help my career. This is why I took the opportunity of signing up to an apprenticeship in Recruitment Resourcing so not only do I learn more about different areas within recruitment but also gain a qualification whilst I'm earning. It was an absolute no brainer for me when I knew an apprenticeship was available within my line of work.

I really enjoy the programme. It's nice to work and do your day to day job but also have time allocated whilst working to complete your apprenticeship work. The apprenticeship is taken seriously within the business and they encourage you to take the time to do the work you need to do. The programme doesn't make you feel like your back at school/college as there is more flexibility and ownership of your work.

I think the programme is well structured and the system used to track your work and progress is really useful. Its great to log on and look how far you've come since your first day of enrolling on the course but also see how much further you have to go until completing. Its well organised and you always know if you are on or off track with your learning.

Constant support. My manager is very supportive and always encourages me to take the time required to complete my apprenticeship work but allows me to manage my time however I want to suit me and my work week. He is also completing and apprenticeship so its nice to work alongside other people doing the same, it makes you feel very supported.

I always have support from my training provider. My mentor is not based locally however he takes the time to do onsite visits where he travels to me but he also arranges remote visits where myself and other colleagues doing the same apprenticeship all get together and discuss how we are getting on or what our next task is.

I believe its helped me massively. Its opened my eyes to things I new nothing or little about recruitment but also provided me with more knowledge on areas I was more confident in. It makes you think outside the box and also pushes you to think of other options and not just go for the easiest option.

Yes, there are loads of opportunities to take part in activities such as sponsored bike rides, site briefings and away days as well as on site activities for sponsored charities. There are also department football team and tournaments as well as charity walks and activities. It depends on the site but there are always things to get involved in.

Yes

I have worked for the AA for 9 years and when I first started I didn't imagine I would be here 9 years later starting a career in Talent Acquisition. My background was in the Beauty Industry and I thought that my career choice was planned out, however that changed when I started at the AA.

Don't look at the AA as a stop gap between jobs, look at the AA as an opportunity to start an amazing career. We are a big company with great values and loads of opportunity within different areas of the business to progress. There always room for growth and progression.