From the Classroom to Kelham: Seb’s Week at Inc Consulting

What happens when you take a 15-year-old out of the classroom and put them into a recruitment consultancy for a week? We decided to find out.

Seb joined us at Inc Consulting for a week of work experience, getting the chance to see recruitment from the inside, sit in on candidate interviews and client meetings, meet senior finance leaders, learn about different careers and even turn the tables on our team by interviewing them for our upcoming articles.

We asked him what he thought of it all – and, importantly, whether his view of the world of work had changed.

Let’s start at the beginning. Before Monday, what did you think recruiters actually did all day?

I knew through very short conversations with my Mum (AKA, Emma Conroy) that recruiters hired, as suggested by the name.

I suppose I thought that they just sat around waiting for people who want jobs and sent applications in. I definitely didn't realise how much more there was to it.

 

So, what do you think recruitment is all about now?

It’s more about getting a deeper understanding of a person and learning about them a lot more. To find a job that suits someone, you have to know them on a deeper level. It’s a lot more social than I thought. You go out and meet lots of people and it’s really interesting. I now view the recruitment industry as a far more social space – almost like a society, I suppose.

 

What’s been your favourite thing about swapping the classroom for our office in Kelham for the week?

There isn't one definite favourite because there have been a lot of things I've preferred. I’ve enjoyed the flexibility. Even something as simple as being able to choose what you have for lunch makes a difference!

Working in Kelham Island is cool, and being able to go out and meet people has been really interesting. It makes you feel more mature and respected to be able to tailor your day and have your own choices, rather than being held down by food options or a set timetable.

 

You’ve sat in on candidate interviews, client meetings and job briefs. Which has been your favourite?

The client meetings. I liked getting to go out and meet people in restaurants and coffee shops. In these environments, people are more relaxed, and it helps you understand more about the people and you can learn how to help them.

It was interesting seeing how those conversations work and how much you need to understand someone before you can really help them.

I was able to meet with some senior finance leaders including Kimberley Parker, Leyon Scott, Jon Blythe and Ian Berresford. Meeting them put into perspective that there are so many different types of roles and businesses, even within senior finance. Seeing the variety of people and how Inc Consulting is able to understand and support all of them was really interesting. I'd just like to say thank you to them for letting me ask you questions. I get that it’s not the best thing in the world to be quizzed by a 15-year-old boy, but I really appreciated it and it was really helpful and insightful. Thank you so much. I’ll be in touch in six years' time when I need a job!

 

You even got involved interviewing the team for our Inc Insights articles. What was it like being the one asking the questions?

Really interesting, actually. It felt quite cool to be the one listening, paying attention and making notes on what other people’s views were on my questions. It was a really helpful insight into how people in the Inc team work and apply their skills.

 

What’s something you’ve learnt this week that you definitely wouldn’t learn in a classroom?

I’ve learnt how I focus a little better and have a better idea of what keeps my attention. I learn better through doing and taking part. I’ve also learnt about CFOs and different job roles, how things centre around business and the importance of hiring talent. And I've learnt how the system works and the role it plays in the business.

 

What’s been the biggest challenge this week?

Setting my laptop up! It was very tedious. (Any new starter knows that pain, Seb!).

 

What skill do you think makes someone great at recruitment? And if you could steal one skill from the Inc team, what would it be?

I think listening is important. Having open views on lots of things helps you to really understand and see why someone wants a job or wants to recruit someone. In terms of the team at Inc - how well everyone in the team works with each other. They all work in unison with each other and help each other. I’d steal that skill because I think that’s really cool.

 

 

Has this week changed how you think about your future career?

Definitely. I had a great time. I got to meet loads of incredibly talented people and it really helped me get a gauge on what my next steps may be after university. Especially being in a company that’s run by someone so close to me, I have a newfound respect for going out to work and for the job that my Mum and the Inc team do.

 

What’s one thing you’ll be telling your friends when you’re back at school?

Probably just how different the working environment is from what you expect. I’ve met loads of different people, seen different businesses and learnt that there are so many different jobs out there. It’s made me think more about what I might want to do in the future.

 

Finally, why do you think businesses should offer work experience placements to young people?

Because I think offering work experience can ease some anxiety that younger people may have about the working environment. I think it’s a really fun opportunity to understand what the next steps after college or university may be.

It gives you the chance to actually experience what work is like rather than just imagining it - and I think you can learn a lot about yourself too.

 

 

For us, that's exactly what work experience should be about. Not simply giving someone something to add to their CV, but giving them the opportunity to ask questions, meet people, try new things and start working out what makes them tick.

So, has Seb been converted to recruitment? We’re not sure about that. But he’s definitely learnt what we do, how many different businesses are out there – and, most importantly, who to go to when he needs a job in six years!