Inspired by a Japanese series that I just binge-watched during this holiday period, “The Honest Realtor”, I intend to start a series on “The Honest Recruiter”, a space for candid insights, real stories, and unfiltered truths about recruitment.
In June 2024, I took a leap of faith and launched Chemcore Recruit. What motivated me to take that step is a story worth sharing.
It all started with an interview at another agency—an experience I’ll never forget. I walked in eager to find a new path, one that matched my skills and ambitions. However, what unfolded was far from what I expected. The interview quickly veered into deeply personal territory, feeling less like a professional assessment and more like a psychotherapy session.
The hiring manager's questions had little to do with my experience or qualifications, instead prying into areas of my life that seemed irrelevant to the role. It ended with a conclusion that I wasn’t "fit" or "ready" for the industry. I left that session shaken, questioning myself and my ability to succeed in the field I had hoped to join. It was a turning point - a moment that made me deeply reflect on the recruitment process.
That experience pushed me to challenge how recruitment should work. It’s meant to be about forming real, meaningful connections between talent and opportunity - not about digging into personal matters in ways that don’t add value. I couldn’t understand how anyone - whether candidate, agency, or client - would benefit from such an approach.
Later that year after launching the executive search service, I attended a career fair where I met with a senior HR manager. During our conversation he remarked, “You’re very authentic, different from many recruiters I’ve met.”
That comment resonated with me in a way I hadn’t expected. It fortified my belief that one can be authentic and professional at the same time. What sets great recruiters apart is the ability to understand people, not just their skills, but their aspirations, their challenges, and treating them with genuine empathy and respect.
That’s the foundation I’m building Chemcore Recruit on. I firmly believe recruitment doesn’t have to be transactional or formulaic. It can, and should, be about honesty, human connection, and making a true impact on people’s careers and lives.
📌 What’s a moment that defined your approach to work? Share your story in the comments, and let’s start the new year with authenticity and impact! 🎉
Comments