Working for VMA GROUP: Back to the Office... But Not as We Know It
Like for most of the population, my life turned upside down in 2020. But the changes in my world had less to do with lockdown and the latest version of Covid rules, and more to do with the arrival of my first baby last summer.
Over the past year, my mind has been happily occupied with all things baby; from nappies to weaning, first steps to first words (almost!) and the eternal - yet still unrequited - search for a full night’s sleep.
After 15 months out of the game, my back-to-work date loomed, and the nerves were setting in. During maternity leave, even in the depths of my baby bubble, the backdrop of the pandemic and the impact on the job market wasn’t lost on me. With initial unemployment figures of almost 15% in 2020, and nearly 5 million people on furlough earlier this year, the headlines did not paint a great picture for a recruiter returning to work.
I often wondered how I would balance the nursery drop-off and pick-up, and a busy job in a tough market on approximately 25 minutes sleep a night? On top of that, as I’m sure many new mums do, I felt an overwhelming urge to prove myself.
But the transition back to work has been far easier than I expected for a few reasons:
Flexibility
Will we ever go back to the old days of presenteeism? The new ways of working, imposed by the pandemic demonstrated that employees could perform their jobs in a flexible manner.
However, I have really enjoyed being back, on a hybrid model at the VMA GROUP’s new office. While it’s a bit of a mad rush to get out of the door in a presentable fashion, drop my daughter at a nursery and then get on the Northern line (where I even get a seat these days), I’m really enjoying the buzz of London.
A supportive culture
A sales role is still a sales role; we all have targets, we all have KPIs, and we are all expected to deliver. But I have great colleagues at VMA GROUP who have been very supportive. Whether it is recommending candidates for potential roles, sharing potential leads and new opportunities, or taking time to brainstorm upcoming events and marketing activity, it feels like a real team effort.
Interesting and varied work
If there is one thing you can say about recruitment: no two days are the same! My background is in Corporate Communications – I moved into recruitment a couple of years ago and I’ve been able to use my experience to connect with candidates and better understand clients’ needs when it comes to finding the right person for the role.
VMA GROUP has always encouraged marketing and communications professionals to make a move into recruitment, once they are ready to take on a new challenge. Their experience and professional connections can be a great advantage in the recruitment industry, helping them to take their career and earning potential to a new level.
Competitive package
VMA GROUP also offers generous benefits, one of which is a salary sacrifice scheme to nursery fees which I’m delighted about. As any parent of young children will know: nursery fees are extortionate!
In addition, as a VMA GROUP recruitment consultant you will get:
VMA GROUP is a leading international interim and permanent communications, digital and marketing recruitment and executive search specialist. Specialist practices cover corporate communications, internal communications, change communications, PR, media relations, CSR, public affairs, marketing, digital and agency services.
We have a reputation for providing leading consultancy services and advice supported by in-depth knowledge of the professions we recruit for. Our thought leadership and benchmarking studies have become go-to resources for the communications and marketing industry supporting planning and decision-making.
VMA GROUP has offices in London, Manchester, Amsterdam and Brussels, but we work with organisations and individuals on a global basis.
