Spotlight on Jake Beechey – My First 2 years in Recruitment
Jake Beechey began working at Stonehouse Recruitment Group in July 2023. Within his first year with Stonehouse Recruitment Group, he was Promoted to Senior Recruitment Consultant. Jake works with Planning Consultants & Clients within Local Authorities, Housing Associations and Private sector companies to source the best roles and candidates for them respectively within: Development Management, Policy, Enforcement, Conservation, Urban Design, Landscape Architects and Ecology. In 2024, Jake won the REC Best Newcomer Award – which is a testament to Jake’s hard work alongside his warmth and positivity, something felt by everyone who works with him. We love you Jake, and feel honoured to work with you!
Looking back to when you first started, what do you remember most about those early months?
I remember it being hard work! It is tough when you start a completely new industry and you’re waiting for it to pay off. But when it does it is an incredible feeling! It was tough but enjoyable.
How has your role evolved over the past two years?
I’m very lucky to have joined Stonehouse at an early stage so I’ve been able to have a say in our culture and how we shape pour team going forward. I’ve learnt a lot and I’ve gone from just working jobs to being involved with the inner workings of the company as well.
What were some key milestones or turning points during your journey?
The first time I hit commission was a big one for me. It was a physical and tangible sign of how hard I’d worked. Since then, I’ve won an award, hit targets and noticed growth in myself personally as well.
How do you approach sourcing or attracting talent differently now compared to when you started?
When I started a lot of the talent I sourced would be people that knew of Stonehouse or Sohan already. Now I’ve been able to build myself a respectable reputation and a lot of the talent is referred to me by candidates who know and trust me.
What achievement in your recruitment career are you most proud of so far?
The proudest moment I have had probably has to be recently when I hit a certain milestone with my billings. I never thought I would have reached the level I have, and the financial elements are great, but for me it shows real growth in myself as a professional.
What’s been your biggest lesson from working in recruitment?
That you should never be surprised! Some of the stories that are told about recruitment are crazy and nearly all of them are true. I get to deal with some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met daily but there are some real characters out there!
How have you seen the recruitment landscape change in the last two years?
For me, I noticed a big shift in focus in the Town Planning Industry when we had a change in government. The ideology changed and as such so did Local Authorities needs. In terms of recruitment in generally can’t say I’ve noticed a huge change in landscape. It has always been competitive and fast paced and that remains true today.
What trends or candidate behaviours have surprised you most recently?
I’ve probably been most surprised by the want for more office presence within the Planning sector. After COVID the world realised that work could be done from home (with the exception of site visits) but now we’re getting further and further from that time, I’ve noticed local candidates have become far more attractive to hiring managers. I personally love being in the office, but in an industry with a sometimes limited talent pool, it can close clients off to more suitable candidates.
What’s one misconception people have about recruitment that you’d like to correct?
That it has to be a crazy or toxic environment. Most of my friends make a very certain face when I say I work in recruitment. I think this is because of the stereotypes of lots of partying and the cutthroat nature that some companies can have. However, I have had the opposite experience. We love to have fun but there’s no pressure to do so and we have a very supportive environment.
How would you describe the company culture, and how has it supported your development?
Continuing from the last point I’ve found it to be supportive but challenging. What I mean by that is that whenever a mistake is made or there is something to be improved upon, the assistance is there but there is also a level of digging deeper and figuring out the root. Without being challenged I don’t believe you can grow as a person, so this has really helped my development.
What sets your team or agency apart in how it approaches recruitment?
The feedback we have had is that it is abundantly clear that we are a recruitment agency where people matter. We aren’t just trying to put bums in seats (for the lack of a better term) we’re trying to offer a specialist solution to clients who need help, and we’re trying to match those opportunities as best as we can to candidates to make sure if they go there, they will want to stay there.
Have there been any mentors or colleagues who have shaped your growth along the way?
Yes, I owe a lot of my success to Sohan Modi. He has been exceptional as a leader and as a mentor. I’m incredibly lucky to be working alongside him. Also my dad, I have grown up around him working in recruitment and as he says, it’s in the blood!
Where do you see your career in recruitment heading in the next few years?
Personally, I love helping my colleagues learn the ropes and assist them with the experience I’ve gained. I feel a lot of pride when someone I have helped does something well, so I see myself taking on a role in management.
Are there any specific goals or ambitions you’re now focused on?
The next goal for me is to be promoted to Principal Recruitment Consultant. I’m working on what I need to do to achieve this and hopefully my third year in recruitment will be the one to achieve this!
What advice would you give someone starting out in recruitment today?
Work hard and listen to those who have more experience than you. If you do you will see your hard work pay off.
How has working in recruitment for two years shaped your professional identity?
I think genuinely it has changed the way I see myself as a professional. I have a lot more confidence but I think that comes with more experience and facing challenges.
If you could sum up your recruitment journey so far in three words, what would it be?
To get in touch with Jake:
Telephone: 0204 524 5221
Email: jake@stonehouserg.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-beechey-0694b6215/
