With TalentYard’s upcoming 10 year anniversary this February we sat down with the founder Marion Barry to learn more about her journey and the lessons she’s learnt along the way as a founder and recruiter.
How did you end up setting up TalentYard?
I had been working in recruitment for a few years managing a busy temp desk and saw an opportunity to challenge the PA recruitment industry which was quite old school back then and with a questionable reputation. I always wanted to have my own agency so decided to take the leap in 2016 and have not looked back since!
How would you describe the last 10 years?
A rollercoaster! It is always challenging starting your own business and added to that surviving a global pandemic and a very tough economy. We however have built a really solid and loyal network of clients and candidates which have helped us thrive each year. Each day can be challenging in recruitment but also very fulfilling- there’s no better feeling than giving the good news to a candidate.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Patience. It takes time and hard work to nurture and build great professional relationships and this also applies to building our brand and online presence, you can’t expect quick results. Many of our clients have been working with us for 10 years now and this is the result of delivering consistent quality of service and adapting to changes.
What makes a great recruiter?
Communication and listening skills, being perceptive and great emotional intelligence. Resilience also helps!
Any plans for the next 10 years?
I would like to improve our online presence. Sometimes we are so engrossed in placing our roles that we don’t spend as much time as we should on social media for example and I do enjoy this side of marketing so hoping to carve out some time regularly to interact more with our online platform. I also would like to do as many in person meetings as possible as I do think it makes a difference.
I am also about to complete my CIPD Level 5 in HR/People Management which I have thoroughly enjoyed studying so level 7 might be on the cards at some point.
If you would like to learn more about TalentYard please do get in touch!
