When I finished school, I knew I wanted to be an Accountant. I went on to study Accounting at QUT and then got my first Graduate Accounting role. I had fantastic mentors, learnt so much and was part of a great culture. So much so that nobody left. I was a naïve and ambitious young girl and at the time I thought “How will I progress my career if no one ever leaves here?”. So I left. I got what I thought was going to be a great role for a rapidly growing global company based in the CBD through a Recruitment Agency.
I was so excited; I was told it was a young and dynamic culture, got to work in the CBD Corporate Head Office, Friday drinks after work, get to wear a uniform and career path prospects. It was a very different story once I got there. There was so much staff turnover and the longest serving person in my team had been there for 6 months, the hours were ridiculous and the culture was terrible. I tried telling the agency that had put me there how horrible it was and they didn’t seem to care. In hindsight, what they should have said to me when I was thinking of leaving my first job was not to make any hasty decisions, stay in my first company as their reputation was excellent and to keep learning and growing.
I then decided to leave Accounting and try my hand at becoming an Accounting Recruiter. I have always been a people person and wanted to help people with their accounting careers. I wanted to give people honest advice and help them to progress in their careers. It was the best career decision I have made and have never looked back.
I have been in Accounting Recruitment in the Brisbane market for 22 years; almost half of this time has been with Optimum Consulting. It is a wonderfully rewarding career and each day is so different. I started out placing Assistant Accountants and over the last two decades, I have watched these people progress their careers to become Financial Controllers and CFO’s. I have helped them with their career moves and recruited their teams. These relationships have grown over the years and now many I would consider friends.
I love that I get to deal with so many different companies from SME’s to ASX Global companies, recruiting a variety of roles and being a trusted partner of the Recruitment of their teams. It is hard work and sometimes high pressure, but the rewards are limitless and the opportunities are endless.
I have also endured the ups and down of Recruitment over the years, especially working in challenging markets such as the GFC and COVID. Right now is such a fantastic time to be in Recruitment with the market being so buoyant. Clients are really leaning on us for many areas of Recruitment as it is so difficult to find candidates.
My career to date would not have been possible without the support of my bosses, working with a great team and a fantastic culture. When I look back I am so grateful for that role in Accounting that didn’t work out for me, otherwise, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
If you are wanting to progress your career or even get into Recruitment, please call me on 0413 850 114 for a confidential discussion.
MARIANNE SAVAS
Divisional Manager
For more career tips, check out our previous blog How to Pivot Your Transferable Skills When Changing Careers and Tips in Creating Resume that Will Get You Hired