Lessons from Nearly a Decade in Recruitment

Sinead Edwards on Success, Resilience, and Change

After nearly a decade in recruitment, Sinead Edwards has witnessed the industry at its best and its toughest. She’s navigated technology shifts, market booms and downturns, and the ever evolving expectations of candidates and clients. Today, she’s recognised as a leader in DevOps, Infrastructure, and Cloud recruitment, known for her calm determination and commitment to delivering results. But what has a career like this really taught her and what advice would she give to the next generation considering a career in the fast moving world of agency recruitment?

 

Having joined our small agency back in 2017, what has surprised you the most about agency recruitment?

The pace at which the industry shifts has probably been the biggest surprise. Every year feels like a new chapter, whether it’s new technologies, market conditions or the evolving expectations of candidates.  What worked last year doesn’t always work this year, and that keeps you on your toes. It pushes you to keep learning, adapting, and rethinking your approach, there’s always something new to figure out, and no two years ever feel the same

 

What’s your secret to success? Is there a hack that works for you that you’d like to share?

Consistency beats intensity. In recruitment it’s the small actions that really add up to the big wins.  It’s about doing the right things again and again and staying consistent with the fundamentals. Recruitment rewards discipline, reliability, and the ability to show up the same way every day

  

If there was one thing in recruitment that you could change, what would it be?

The speed of feedback. Too often, candidates are left waiting weeks without any clarity, and it can completely shape their perception of a company. A lack of communication makes people feel undervalued. Faster, honest feedback doesn’t just help candidates, it helps clients too, it keeps good talent engaged and reduces the risk of losing people to other opportunities… Even if the feedback is a ‘no,’ delivering it promptly and respectfully builds trust

 

What would you say to someone in their early 20’s considering a career in agency recruitment?

Be ready for resilience. Recruitment is a fast moving and sometimes an unpredictable industry, things can change quickly, and not everything goes to plan. But if you stick with it, it’s also one of the most rewarding careers out there. You learn resilience, and adaptability, that will serve you for life