My #CarterMurrayJourney – Jake Hennis

A little about me

At Carter Murray, it’s my role to connect marketing, communications and digital candidates with businesses (“clients”) in the UK’s financial services sector. 

Outside of work, I’m a big football fan. I’m currently starting a league and I’ve got a season ticket to Crystal Palace. I also take any chance I get to travel overseas.  

Eager to start working instead of university 

I jumped straight into recruitment straight after school because I was eager to start working and didn’t feel the pull towards going to university. 

„I could start immediately without needing specific qualifications.“

When finishing my A-levels in 2021, I was uncertain about my career path. I spoke with a friend who was thriving in recruitment, which inspired me. It was clear he was successful in his role and it seemed like something I could see myself doing. Plus, I could start immediately without needing specific qualifications. 

I found an apprenticeship through the government website Find an apprenticeship and started my journey through Apprenticeship Connect, which got me into my first role. 

Getting hired within two weeks 

„Carter Murray made me feel really wanted and ensured everything was in place to secure my role.“

I was recruited by Jennifer Kyriacou and the process was quick – within a matter of weeks. Carter Murray made me feel really wanted and ensured everything was in place to secure my role. During the hiring process, I got to meet the entire team and see the office, which gave me a great sense of what working there would be like.  

From day one, it felt like the right fit. The team welcomed me warmly and a few weeks in, the company hosted a welcome breakfast for all the new starters which was a fantastic way to meet colleagues from across the business. 

A company that prioritises my development 

Carter Murray and The SR Group as a whole creates an environment where we can deliver on our promises and maintain constant communication with employers and professionals. Training provided by our learning and development team helps us understand our clients’ needs while aligning with the company’s overall strategy, which has driven our success.  

We also have weekly training sessions and meetings with senior members of our Carter Murray team, providing insights into the broader aspects of the business such as budget planning, overall strategy, our team structure and how we plan to grow. This engagement and insight has significantly contributed to my professional development, my ability to understand where I fit and the direction of the business. 

All my hard work is rewarded  

The culture here is collaborative and supportive. The company offers many benefits like free breakfasts and a summer party, plus there’s flexibility around schedules and working hours. It’s a hard-working where efforts are rewarded.  

One of my first big achievements was placing a candidate in the same week as acquiring a new client looking to hire. The encouragement and celebration from my team and the whole company, along with a gift, made it a special moment for me. 

Meeting targets and placing roles is so gratifying 

„It’s gratifying to receive recognition from clients after successfully placing candidates in their dream roles, knowing we’re making a difference for both the individual and the company.“

I find placing candidates incredibly rewarding and I love setting and surpassing targets. We also have team targets and quarterly budget goals, which are celebrated with team outings when achieved. It’s gratifying to receive recognition from clients after successfully placing candidates in their dream roles, knowing we’re making a difference for both the individual and the company. 

I am never left in the dark 

Our open communication stands out. Being a smaller team at Carter Murray, we know each other well and understand our collective goals. Sitting next to senior team members in the office allows me to learn directly from them, ask questions quickly and gain a clear understanding of what’s expected of me. 

Breaking into new markets 

I recently acquired a client from the private equity (PE) sector who was looking to hire a marketing professional. Consulting with the Head of Marketing, I provided expert advice on salary benchmarking, picked up the role and signed terms.  

This was my first time working in PE and it has opened doors to conversations with various other firms. It’s exciting to build my desk with such reputable, diverse and high-calibre companies.  

I also have the opportunity to cross-sell to clients alongside the rest of The SR Group which offers services across HR, IT and legal recruitment as well as tax, treasury and senior finance recruitment.  

The ebbs and flows of recruitment  

„Good times are always just around the corner – you have to make it happen for yourself!“

I’ve learned that recruitment has its ups and downs and it’s crucial to ride out both. When the job market is quieter at certain times of year, the team and I focus on driving business development (i.e., acquiring clients). But during busy periods, we get to engage with exciting clients and diverse candidates. I’m learning that good times are always just around the corner – you have to make it happen for yourself!