In our ongoing "Meet the Team" campaign, this week features an enlightening interview with Ben Webber, a Talent Acquisition Specialist at Connect44 in the UK. Having joined the team at the end of 2022, Ben has quickly become known for his personable approach to recruitment, emphasizing the importance of building solid relationships with both candidates and clients. He plays a key role in the Group Talent Acquisition team, working with a diverse range of clients in various international markets.

Background and journey to Connect44

When asked about his background and what led him to his current role, Ben shared, "After university, I went straight into agency recruitment, continuing until the Covid pandemic hit. That's when I shifted my focus towards Internal and Talent Acquisition roles. I joined a startup but was made redundant, which is when Ksenia found me!"

A day in the life of Ben Webber

Describing a typical day, Ben said, "It involves sourcing and speaking to candidates from all across Europe, discussing what they are doing, what they are interested in and what excites them, the other part of the day is organising interviews with candidates and clients and ensuring a smooth transition when they join Connect44.”

Professional growth

On his professional growth since joining Connect44, Ben reflected," My Experience across the International Markets has improved, having focused mainly on UK candidates in the past, learning the differences between International Candidates, as well as the multi profession structure recruitment which is different than my previous single industry experience."

Team dynamics and collaboration

Ben emphasized the collaborative nature of his work, saying, "I work across Europe with colleagues on various projects. Whether it's sending over candidates for an ongoing project or sharing profiles that might be more suitable for their current work than mine, it's all about teamwork."

Overcoming challenges

Discussing a challenging aspect of his role, Ben mentioned, " We often get given projects with minimal information and a short turn around, or running projects with no flexibility and niche requirements that make the search a challenge."

Inspiration in recruitment

"The feeling of completing a project and hearing about the candidates you placed doing a successful stint in their roles is always the best feeling," Ben expressed, discussing what inspires him in his work.

Advice for aspiring recruiters

For those looking to enter the field, Ben advised, "Don’t be scared to make mistakes, and don’t hesitate to pick up the phone. Nothing bad will happen!"

Personal interests

Outside of work, Ben shared, "I'm attempting to learn a new language, as I'm the only one in my team who speaks just one. I also enjoy attending football and rugby games and dog walking. As well Traveling."

Team culture

Describing the team's culture, Ben concluded, " We are friends who happen to be in a team, we are able to focus when we need, but there is a genuine interest in people’s personal lives."

Through Ben's insights, it's clear that his approachable nature and commitment to relationship-building are key to his success in talent acquisition. His journey from agency recruitment to a pivotal role at Connect44 highlights the dynamic and challenging nature of the field, as well as the personal and professional growth that comes with it.