the hot seat
Uzair Bawany, Group Managing Director, Contact Recruitment Group
The Contact Recruitment Group is a fast-growing professional staffing company renowned for the quality of its placements and premium customer care. It has offices in London, Dublin, Delhi, Singapore and employs over 100 staff worldwide. Within the Group is specialist secretarial recruitment business, King & Toben and the recently acquired IT specialist – Marshall Wilkins.
What was your first job?
My first job was a far cry from the fast-paced nature of the recruitment industry - it was selling men’s suits in Harrods during my summer holidays at University
What attracted you to the recruitment sector?
Well, like many others when searching for a ‘career’ I didn’t really know what I wanted to do and discovered the world of recruitment purely by chance. However, it was the best decision I have made. The drive, enthusiasm and chance to work in an autonomous, entrepreneurial environment is a real buzz and is often the reason people are attracted to the sector
What advice would you give to Consultants starting their recruitment career?
The most important thing to remember when starting out is that it takes time to get results. You shouldn’t expect too much in week one or you will fail before you have started. The key to ‘making it’ in this industry is hard work and making sure you don’t cut corners – regardless of how tempting it may be – I can guarantee you will regret it down the line
What’s the greatest challenge facing your business now?
The greatest challenge facing us is maintaining a flexible working environment while balancing the need for processes and procedures. It is essential consultants embrace the entrepreneurial element of the role but we must also maintain standards and respect for each other
What’s your worst habit and how have you overcome it?
I am incredibly impatient, I want to see results immediately and this just isn’t always feasible. As a result - I have had to learn to temper my impatience and channel this ambition and drive to push myself and the business forward. Colin Powell is famous for quoting ‘things always look better in the morning’ and I have used this when making big decisions or reacting to significant issues
What do you drive?
Mercedes CLK
What time do you start work?
On average I start at 7.30am – but it depends on the day
What gadget can’t you live without?
My Blackberry, it has changed the way I work – in today’s ‘always on’ culture it is vital that you are still contactable by email regardless of whether you are near a PC. I can’t remember what I did before I had one!
How do you relax?
For me the best way to relax after a busy week is getting out on the golf course - of course this is only truly relaxing when I am playing well!
