My #FrazerJonesJourney – Ayling Oei

From paralegal to permanent recruiter

I moved to Amsterdam in 2008 from Overveen, a small town nearby. Since then, I’ve fallen in love with the city – its museums, restaurants, scenery and more. I also love to read and explore; whatever keeps me stimulated and excited!

I started my career as a paralegal and it seemed like a clear-cut path, but I realised early on that it didn’t energise me in the ways I needed. I knew I wanted to work in an industry that could match my passion and drive. I believe having the right role adds so much to your life.

‘‘I knew I wanted to work in an industry that could match my passion and drive.’’

The importance of meaningful relationships

When deciding what I wanted to do, I considered how I flourish in a commercially challenging environment – and I wanted to find the perfect fit. My niece ran an executive search agency and introduced me to her industry. I went for lots of coffees and asked lots of questions to the right people, like whether they thought I’d be a good fit in recruitment. Forming personal relationships in this way has become the backbone to my recruitment career.

I was headhunted for Frazer Jones by someone I had bonded with over many years like this. I joined as a senior consultant in the HR talent team – placing permanent, mid-senior HR professionals across Benelux. I was committed to making my first placement within four weeks and succeeded within five for a fintech company!

I achieved this by learning early on to sincerely listen to clients and candidates. It’s so important to form a meaningful relationship with them to understand what they need and how to help them.

‘‘Forming personal relationships has become the backbone to my recruitment career.’’

Giving the right advice to clients and candidates

Frazer Jones is very different from any other recruitment agencies I’ve come across. It’s a human brand where everyone is so down to earth. We are supported in our roles whether that’s through flexible working or considering working abroad in another of our hubs. The SR Group as a whole creates a community of consultants – not just recruiters. We don’t only listen; we advise best practice based on our experience and principles.

‘‘The SR Group creates a community of consultants – not just recruiters.’’

Everyone is unique

The best thing about my role at Frazer Jones is how motivated and energised I am to support clients and candidates quickly. I’m at my best when a search is more complex and difficult than usual; I like being challenged and am driven by results.

I also love my team’s collaborative mindset. We are a group of different characters and bring our own expertise to the table. Inside and outside of work, I seek to find how people are unique in how they think and what they do. This helps me reflect and evaluate my own approach to meeting and understanding new people.

‘‘We are a group of different characters and bring our own expertise to the table.’’

Resilience, passion and curiosity

To get ahead in the recruitment industry, you just need three things: resilience, passion and curiosity. Occasionally things don’t go the way you expect but try not to let it get to you too much. This goes hand in hand with passion; even in the toughest weeks, you can still enjoy your role.

Don’t sell the job to your candidates and clients; be inquisitive about them. Only by understanding them can you add value for them and create meaningful and longstanding relationships. Everyone has days where they feel more pressure, but those three things are what you can strive for.

‘’Don’t sell the job to your candidates and clients; be inquisitive about them.’’