Interview: Jennifer Button, Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice Top Student

Jennifer Button is a recruitment consultant at Health Recruitment Network and was the top student in May’s Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice exam.

Recruitment Matters spoke to Jennifer for the August 2016 edition.

How did you get into recruitment?

I’m from New Zealand and I’ve worked as a registered nurse in paediatrics for five years. While doing that I completed a science degree and majored in psychology, and I’ve always found industrial psychology really interesting. When I moved to the UK, recruitment was where I wanted to be.

What is your role at HRN?

HRN covers both temp and permanent recruitment for the private medical sector, so nursing homes, private hospitals and the like. I cover the permanent recruitment end at the moment.

What are some of your biggest challenges?

Registered nurses are like gold dust in the UK. It’s difficult to get hold of them and there are so many clients in need of good nurses. It’s a very candidate-driven market.

What prompted you to take the Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice?

We’ve got a good internal programme at HRN where after six months they give every permanent recruiter a chance to be enrolled in the certificate. The company has seen the benefits of the certificate and have really encouraged us into taking it.

How did you find the course?

It was great – very interesting. Having come from a registered nurse background, I know the industry quite well. But knowing how the recruitment side things works has been really beneficial. It has given me techniques and knowledge that help me every day. My colleagues and I still refer back to the content quite regularly – there’s a lot more to recruitment than what you first assume.

Would you recommend the course?

I definitely would. It gives you so much awareness of the industry and teaches you to be a more effective recruiter.

Have you considered taking your career to the next level with the Level 3 Certificate in Recruitment Practice? Find out more and enrol here.