Emily Thompson: working in recruitment
Emily Thompson, a Heathfield Alumnus, tells us all about her job working as an associate for Anderson Associates Recruitment and her study of Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. She also reflects on what advice she would give to her younger self and current students, memories of her time at Heathfield, her biggest regret and greatest achievements.
Can you tell me about what you do now?
I currently work as an associate for Anderson Associates Recruitment, a recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing candidates for technology and cyber firms. I basically spend my day helping graduates and experienced tech professionals find their first or next jobs. This includes finding their CVs on jobs boards or LinkedIn and then giving them an interview; if we think they’re a fit, we’ll then help coach them through the interview processes of the companies we work with and (hopefully) getting them into a fantastic new job
.
What do you enjoy about it?
I absolutely adore this job. While some people may fail their interviews, the satisfaction when you get someone through the whole process and into their next role is phenomenal. I also work on commission, so getting £500 alongside that sense of satisfaction is an additional bonus! The company I work for is also a start-up, so I’m part of a small team and all of my colleagues are wonderful, including my managing director, who is incredibly hands-on with training and takes great care of her employees and nurtures a wonderful office environment.
How did you get there? What was your next step after Heathfield?
After leaving Heathfield, I went on to study Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. I loved my time there (despite the intensity of the workload) and made a wonderful group of friends. I was (ironically) head-hunted for my current role in January of 2022, and secured the position a month after. I later graduated with a 2.i, and moved to central Manchester in August. I started work in September and achieved a promotion three months into starting and have been super happy in my role since then!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t stress about achieving perfection. Don’t stress about where you’ll be in a year, three years or later. Everything works out, even if it’s not where you saw yourself going at the age of 12. Just work hard, enjoy the moment and control the controllables. That’s all you can do.
What is something that one of your teachers did that you remember to this day?
I absolutely must use this as an opportunity to thank all of my teachers, but especially Ms Savage. I remember so many things that she said and did, and genuinely believe that I would not be where I am today without her help. I still have the end of year book she gave me with a note in the front that basically encouraged me to have a bit more faith in myself, and, while I haven’t (yet) become the author I thought I may be, I have taken on-board that sentiment throughout my education and into my current job. (Sorry for being so soft!)
What are your strongest memories of school?
All of my best memories of school include the fantastic group of friends I made there. I remember our lunch breaks on the field (or in an English classroom!). They’re all memories that, while insignificant at the time, I look back on with such fondness that it almost makes me miss being sixteen.
If you could go back, what is something you would do differently?
Pay more attention in A-Level Maths. It worked out in the end but I could have saved myself a lot more stress if I just did the work as it was given to me.
What is your proudest moment from Heathfield?
My A-Level results were definitely up there. Especially Maths.
What advice would you give to students about their next steps and ambitions?
If you’re going to go to university, do what you want to do and not what you think you should do. As a recruiter, I can confidently say that a degree is a degree and you’re going to work hardest for and do best in something that you enjoy. If anyone asks you what you’re going to do with an English degree or a Music degree, confidently tell them that you can do whatever you want with it (barring medicine and mechanical engineering).
What was your favourite subject? Why?
Hands down, it was English Language. I especially loved sociolinguistics and language acquisition and then went on to specialise in language acquisition and psycholinguistics in university. I just found it super interesting (and it helped that I was quite good at it). At GCSE, I absolutely adored Maths as well, though I struggled much more with that at A-Level. I know there’s a recurring theme here.
What was your least favourite subject? Why?
I really did not get on well with Food Tech when I started school. While I love cooking now and have branched out into more than pasta-salads and pizza, I was a walking hazard in years seven and eight. I’m surprised anyone trusted me with a cheese-grater (I have scars to prove that they shouldn’t have) let alone a chopping knife.
What is your biggest regret?
I wish I’d said yes to more. This is especially true of university, though applies to school as well. I wish I’d been more involved in more extra-curriculars or sports or just said yes to more after-school events. While I’m ultimately happy with where I am now, some of my friends and colleagues were super involved in sports or music and they talk about them so fondly, sometimes I feel like I could have done more.
What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is where I am today. I have a beautiful flat in central Manchester and my wonderful (and well-paid) corporate job is just a fifteen-minute walk into the heart of Spinningfields (the fanciest part of Manchester). I live with one of my closest friends and a very lively seven-month-old kitten. I’m never bored, and I’m surrounded by the people I love most in the world. If you’re finding school tough, don’t panic – it’s difficult and I get it. But I promise it gets better. You’ll get older, maybe go to university, and I really hope that in four, five, ten years time, you’ll be in a position like me: where you’re so genuinely happy with everything you’ve done.
Emma Hills, Y11
Can you tell me about what you do now?
I currently work as an associate for Anderson Associates Recruitment, a recruitment agency that specialises in sourcing candidates for technology and cyber firms. I basically spend my day helping graduates and experienced tech professionals find their first or next jobs. This includes finding their CVs on jobs boards or LinkedIn and then giving them an interview; if we think they’re a fit, we’ll then help coach them through the interview processes of the companies we work with and (hopefully) getting them into a fantastic new job
.
What do you enjoy about it?
I absolutely adore this job. While some people may fail their interviews, the satisfaction when you get someone through the whole process and into their next role is phenomenal. I also work on commission, so getting £500 alongside that sense of satisfaction is an additional bonus! The company I work for is also a start-up, so I’m part of a small team and all of my colleagues are wonderful, including my managing director, who is incredibly hands-on with training and takes great care of her employees and nurtures a wonderful office environment.
How did you get there? What was your next step after Heathfield?
After leaving Heathfield, I went on to study Linguistics at the University of Cambridge. I loved my time there (despite the intensity of the workload) and made a wonderful group of friends. I was (ironically) head-hunted for my current role in January of 2022, and secured the position a month after. I later graduated with a 2.i, and moved to central Manchester in August. I started work in September and achieved a promotion three months into starting and have been super happy in my role since then!
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t stress about achieving perfection. Don’t stress about where you’ll be in a year, three years or later. Everything works out, even if it’s not where you saw yourself going at the age of 12. Just work hard, enjoy the moment and control the controllables. That’s all you can do.
What is something that one of your teachers did that you remember to this day?
I absolutely must use this as an opportunity to thank all of my teachers, but especially Ms Savage. I remember so many things that she said and did, and genuinely believe that I would not be where I am today without her help. I still have the end of year book she gave me with a note in the front that basically encouraged me to have a bit more faith in myself, and, while I haven’t (yet) become the author I thought I may be, I have taken on-board that sentiment throughout my education and into my current job. (Sorry for being so soft!)
What are your strongest memories of school?
All of my best memories of school include the fantastic group of friends I made there. I remember our lunch breaks on the field (or in an English classroom!). They’re all memories that, while insignificant at the time, I look back on with such fondness that it almost makes me miss being sixteen.
If you could go back, what is something you would do differently?
Pay more attention in A-Level Maths. It worked out in the end but I could have saved myself a lot more stress if I just did the work as it was given to me.
What is your proudest moment from Heathfield?
My A-Level results were definitely up there. Especially Maths.
What advice would you give to students about their next steps and ambitions?
If you’re going to go to university, do what you want to do and not what you think you should do. As a recruiter, I can confidently say that a degree is a degree and you’re going to work hardest for and do best in something that you enjoy. If anyone asks you what you’re going to do with an English degree or a Music degree, confidently tell them that you can do whatever you want with it (barring medicine and mechanical engineering).
What was your favourite subject? Why?
Hands down, it was English Language. I especially loved sociolinguistics and language acquisition and then went on to specialise in language acquisition and psycholinguistics in university. I just found it super interesting (and it helped that I was quite good at it). At GCSE, I absolutely adored Maths as well, though I struggled much more with that at A-Level. I know there’s a recurring theme here.
What was your least favourite subject? Why?
I really did not get on well with Food Tech when I started school. While I love cooking now and have branched out into more than pasta-salads and pizza, I was a walking hazard in years seven and eight. I’m surprised anyone trusted me with a cheese-grater (I have scars to prove that they shouldn’t have) let alone a chopping knife.
What is your biggest regret?
I wish I’d said yes to more. This is especially true of university, though applies to school as well. I wish I’d been more involved in more extra-curriculars or sports or just said yes to more after-school events. While I’m ultimately happy with where I am now, some of my friends and colleagues were super involved in sports or music and they talk about them so fondly, sometimes I feel like I could have done more.
What is your greatest achievement?
My greatest achievement is where I am today. I have a beautiful flat in central Manchester and my wonderful (and well-paid) corporate job is just a fifteen-minute walk into the heart of Spinningfields (the fanciest part of Manchester). I live with one of my closest friends and a very lively seven-month-old kitten. I’m never bored, and I’m surrounded by the people I love most in the world. If you’re finding school tough, don’t panic – it’s difficult and I get it. But I promise it gets better. You’ll get older, maybe go to university, and I really hope that in four, five, ten years time, you’ll be in a position like me: where you’re so genuinely happy with everything you’ve done.
Emma Hills, Y11
