Navigating the changes and demise of some sectors during COVID-19 has been difficult. Recruit Personnel, however, have made it their mission to be on the frontline of people displacements and career re-invention.
Cameron McDonell joins Recruit Personnel as a Recruitment Consultant following a successful career in Tourism.
As an employer and recruiter, it’s not always a matter of choosing the candidate that looks best on paper. Recruiting sometimes needs creativity and an open mind.
Cameron said that the path that led to Recruit Personnel was not ideal, but the opportunity to dip his toes into something new was exciting.
“After so many applications to transition my skills, I started wondering why recruiters were not always replying – was my resume too long? Did I lack the necessary requirements? What feedback could I get to better craft an application and follow it through to success?” he said.
“It took my application to a local Maitland recruitment agency to see my potential and how my skills could transfer from tourism and hospitality to recruitment.
“From a candidate point of view, I felt encouraged that someone saw my potential. From an employee point of view, I feel that this opportunity has offered me a new pathway to build on the career I have previously developed.”
Cameron has spent the last 10 years in the Travel Industry as a Business Relationship Executive and Brand Representative for a large international tour operator, focussing on helping small communities in popular tourist destinations change their lives by encouraging sustainable travel and supporting small local businesses promoting their products and services.
With the demise of international travel due to COVID-19, Cameron had to reinvent his career path and demonstrate how his transferrable skills might work in another industry. Helping change people’s lives has been a strong career focus.
Returning to the Hunter Valley, where Cameron grew up, recruitment seemed like the obvious choice.
“I feel I can help the local people of Newcastle, Maitland and the Hunter Valley find meaningful work to support themselves and their families, while also helping local businesses find the right talent and skills to grow their business,” Cameron said.
General Manager Recruit Personnel, Paul Callinan said Cameron brings an array of important skills and knowledge to Recruit Personnel and is excited to have him on their team.
“Cameron brings a broad range of commercial and business development skills through his highly successful travel industry career. He has many solid transferrable skills that as a Recruiter we were able to identify,” Paul said.
“We are thrilled to have him join the team at Recruit Personnel and apply his skills to our candidates and clients across professional recruitment.”
Cameron’s transferrable skills include his consultation and problem-solving experience with local communities and people to improve people’s lives, along with sales and business development experience.
Cameron is Maitland born & bred and joins Recruit Personnel, and the recruitment sector, in his third career change. He is a testimony to the possibility that careers can be pivoted and adjusted when needed.
IMAGE | Recruit Personnel’s newest staff addition, Cameron McDonnell
