Insights Linking new grads with jobs in their field

Tell us a little bit about your professional background?

I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in human resources. I worked two years in the recruitment field for a firm before making a small change and going to work for another two years in the personal finance field. I missed recruiting so I decided to come back to it. I am now a campus recruiter at AtkinsRéalis , a role I love!

What inspired you to become a recruiter?

I have always enjoyed working with people. Also, working in recruitment appealed to me, as I thought it was great to be able to help people find a job and support them in that process.

What do you prefer in your recruiter role? / What is the best thing about your job?

I like the fact that I am always learning new things. The human contact is also a very important aspect for me, which makes me really enjoy what I do. Finally, although I repeat myself, being able to help people find a job and support them in that process is really my favorite part.

What’s the moment you prefer in a job interview?

I would say my favorite part is when the candidate talks about their background. I like to learn about people's interests and motivations, their background and where they want to go and what they want to do in their career.

What challenges do you face in your role?

The biggest challenge, at least right now, is the lack of applicants. There are far more job openings in the marketplace than there are people looking for work. This makes attracting talent more complex. That being said, this situation pushes us to find new strategies, which is never lost!

What qualities are necessary to be a recruiter?

I would say curiosity, people skills, and organization.

What does diversity mean to you?

For me, diversity is very important. In my opinion, diversity in teams brings so many benefits. It leads to stronger teams, which make better decisions. It also leads to more innovative and creative teams. It's important to create an inclusive environment wherever we go.

Why is AtkinsRéalis a great place to be?

The teams are great. Everyone is always there to help each other and collaborate. People are human, and that feels good. There's also a lot of flexibility and a great work/life balance. Working for a company that is a leader in its field is also very motivating.

What is the best advice you were ever given? Who was it from?

“In life, if you want to go fast, take your time!” That is to say, it is better to take our time to do things right, even when we are in a hurry, because if we go too fast, we risk making mistakes and having to start over, which will ultimately take more time. This advice was given to me by a senior colleague in one of my student jobs.