A Day in the life: Craig Mackenzie, Associate Director at Right People

OGV Jobs catches up with Craig on life at the Aberdeen recruitment consultancy, plans for the future and why Right People will continue to back the city as a great place to do business

Where did you go to school, college, university and how did you end up in your chosen career?

I went to school at the Nicolson Institute in Stornoway, and then left for Glasgow. I gained a BSc (Hons) in Maths, Statistics and Management from the University of Strathclyde in 2003. I thought I would work in sales for a year or so before taking up a graduate position. I ended up staying in that role – with Duotool, a specialist in power tools, fixings and fastenings across the UK – for five years. However, through that job I met the person who would become my wife. Nicola worked in the Duotool Ellon office and I moved up to the north-east in 2008. I registered with an established Aberdeen recruitment agency and they ended up asking me if I would be interested in a role with them. I interviewed for the post and got the job as a recruitment consultant. I joined Right People in May last year. It’s been a brilliant move for me personally. I’m part of a first-rate team with clearly defined objectives.

Provide us with an overview of your company, its geographical reach, market and number of employees?

Right People is renowned for being an IT and finance recruitment partner for companies across the Aberdeen area. The business was founded in 2008 by experienced recruitment professionals, Alex McLeod and Bruce Russell. From the outset, it’s always been about Aberdeen. This is a market we know inside out and there’s never been talk about setting up another office or anything like that, even during the recent downturn. We focus firmly on what we call the Aberdeen circle – Bridge of Don, Dyce, Kingswells, Westhill and Portlethen and everything in that space. That doesn’t mean we don’t take on projects outwith that area, but it’s likely it would only be with a long-standing client. For example, we are currently sourcing an IT specialist for an Aberdeen client’s Edinburgh office.

We know our market, we know the candidates in that ‘circle’ and we know what our clients are looking for as part of their recruitment strategy. We take time to find the right person, the right fit. If it’s a quick-fire recruitment project via a jobs portal, we may not be the right agency at this moment in time to fill a position for that company. We have a staff of 6 and are currently looking to add to the team. As well as IT and finance, our capabilities also include the HR, business support, sales and marketing sectors.

What does your job involve?

I check emails before I leave the house. Arriving in the office, I deal with anything that needs my immediate attention either to solve or move forward. The core day-to-day facets of the job are the same: dealing with requests and updating hiring managers, interviewing and updating candidates, and placing candidates with clients. It’s vital we have meetings, or calls, with hiring managers. We assist with current vacancies and are also given a heads up on future requirements. The dialogue helps us understand where the business is at, where it wants to be and how it is going to get there. This relationship allows us to put forward candidates even when a job is not available. If the right candidate comes along, the company invariably looks to find a role for them. The market is picking up – there’s absolutely no doubt about that. Companies are looking to recruit, but they are taking time to ensure that the candidate is the right fit and will stay with them for an extended period of time. I also enjoy networking, particularly through Andrew Smith’s ABNcommunity, which has helped raise my own profile and that of Right People.

What are your biggest challenges?

The biggest challenge is that as the market picks up so does the number of companies looking for more people and the number of candidates looking for a move. We are here to help clients take on people to match their growth ambitions. Currently myself and my fellow associate director, Kris Stuart, are handling around 50 vacancies. As always, it’s important to make sure the candidates are the right fit for clients. We always try to meet candidates or least have an extended phone conversation with them. We will look to establish their motivators … why are they unhappy in their current job? What do they want to achieve in the short-term and the long-term? What’s important to them? Is it career development, location, working hours or a work-life balance? This approach gives us a better understanding to support the whole recruitment process. If we can’t find the right person, we’d rather update the client to let them know we are still looking – rather than rush to respond to the client’s request with any CV. This upfront approach has been a key factor in building trusted relationships with clients.

What has been the highlight of your career so far?

There’s not been a stand-out highlight so far, although I’m certainly enjoying my time at Right People. There is an extra sense of satisfaction when you’ve placed a candidate who has been out of work for an extended period of time through no fault of their own. You hear about the struggles from the candidate, from having to sell their car to looking to put their house on the market following redundancy. I’ve spoken to clients who may not have had a vacancy at the time, and said to them that this person may be a good fit for you. Sometimes they will meet that candidate and create a job. That has happened a few times, and it’s been particularly pleasing.

What plans does your company have for the future and how do you see your role evolving?

Myself and Kris are responsible for day-to-day operations, while directors Alex and Bruce look at the strategy of the business and also continue to work on projects. Kris and I are in the process of taking on a greater role within the business. It’s a very good company that knows its core market. There’s a bright future ahead for Right People as long as we continue to work hard and deliver for our clients.

How does your company support the community in which it operates?

Bruce, a keen hillwalker, has taken on a challenge to do 50 Munros in 150 days. This is a fundraiser for Charlie House, an Aberdeen charity that supports babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families in the north-east of Scotland. Bruce has already passed his fundraising target of £1,000. It has been a fantastic effort.

To donate, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bruce-russell5

www.rightpeople.uk.net