Lily is a valued member of our senior team, and I was keen to sit down with her to discuss her career so far and her advice for anyone considering becoming a recruiter.

What were you doing before you became a recruiter?

Lily: After graduating with a Law degree from the University of Birmingham, I quickly realised that the traditional legal career wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted a career that was more people-facing. Initially, I worked in telephone sales and then was employed by the Money Advice Trust as a Debt Adviser for a year and a half. Both roles helped me develop my communication and interpersonal skills, while giving me valuable experience working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

What attracted you to recruitment?

Lily: Like many people, I never planned to become a recruiter. After working at the Money Advice Trust, I knew I wanted a new challenge. So, I made myself open to new opportunities, gave my CV to several agencies and looked to see what was available.

Several people who did reach out to me were rec2rec consultants (recruiters who hire other recruiters). They introduced me to the industry, explaining the career opportunities, earning potential and the fact that your success is largely determined by the effort you put in. It immediately appealed to me because it was a people-focused, relationship-driven career that played to my strengths.

What was your initial opinion on recruitment before you started working in the industry? Has it changed?

Lily: At the beginning, I saw recruitment as being a lot more transactional. I viewed it as just a simple process of finding candidates and filling roles. I was also aware of the negative perceptions around recruitment, and I felt like if I became a recruiter, I might spend my career having to battle against those views.

However, quickly I started seeing the real value of the industry. I realised the process was a lot more relationship-driven, and that there is significant value recruiters can offer candidates and clients. Great recruitment is about understanding a client’s challenges and their business inside and out, advising them on the market, and helping candidates through what can be one of the biggest decisions in their career. The human side of recruitment is actually one of the most important parts of the role, and it is what I enjoy doing most.

You’ve been with the business for 10 years now. How has your role changed in that time?

Lily: During my time with the business, I have experienced almost every side of recruitment. I started as a trainee, then moved into a 360-recruitment role, before progressing into a management position, and now I am in my current role as Key Account Delivery Manager.

Each stage has taught me different skills, from sourcing candidates and establishing client relationships to leading and supporting others in my team. I’ve also had the opportunity to grow alongside the business as it has gone through changes, such as during the acquisition by the VIQU Group two years ago.

What does your role look like now?

Lily: Now my role is focused solely on Key Account Management. I look after a group of clients, some that I have known for a long time and others that are more recent additions.

I work closely with clients to understand their business goals, challenges and future hiring needs, while still being involved in delivering strong candidates throughout the recruitment process. Alongside managing key accounts, I’ve also been supporting the growth of our team by helping to onboard and mentor one of our newest hires.

Do you think this is an exciting time to work in energy and utilities recruitment?

Lily: 100% – it’s definitely an exciting time to be part of the Energy industry, especially in recruitment. The UK Energy and Utilities sector is constantly changing, and it is currently undergoing one of the biggest transformations in decades, with the transition to Net Zero, the increased investment in renewable energy and the embracement of new technologies. Because of this, energy recruitment isn’t just about filling vacancies; it’s about helping companies build the skills and talent they need for the future.

Do you have any career highlights?

Lily: One of the biggest career highlights came for me earlier this year, when I was able to buy my own home and reach a level of real financial security and independence.

Recruitment is a career where the effort you put in reflects what you get out of it. Being able to buy a home by myself was a massive personal milestone and something I am incredibly proud of.

What are you looking forward to next in your career?

Lily: VIQU Energy is undergoing an exciting growth phase currently, and we are looking to take on several new starters in the team. I’m looking forward to taking on more opportunities to support that expansion, helping with training, sharing the experiences I’ve gained throughout my career, and supporting new recruiters as they develop their skills and build successful careers within the industry.

Any tips for someone thinking about becoming a recruiter?

Lily: My main tips for becoming a recruiter are:

• Don’t be put off by the recruiter stereotypes that say you have to be the loudest voice in the room in order to succeed in the industry. Great recruiters also can be thoughtful, considerate and focused on problem-solving. Louder does not equal better outcomes.
• Be open-minded and prepared to learn because recruitment is not just about selling. It’s also about understanding people, learning what they want and what motivates them, and using that to match them with the best opportunity.
• Focus on developing your relationship skills. People value and buy into other people. With the way recruitment is heading due to the rise of AI, there is a lot more importance being placed on a recruiter’s skills in being consultative and building genuine relationships with clients and candidates.

Considering becoming an energy recruiter?

Please visit our Join Us page for more information on our benefits and the roles currently available, or contact our Head of Talent, Melinda Queck, directly for a confidential conversation.