From Ireland to cranberry towers: life as an ecommerce resourcer

Day Two as the newest panda recruit and so far I’ve already learned so much and only spilled ONE bottle of Diet Coke all over my desk. Result.

As an Irish student who was studying Business and Geography on The Emerald Isle, it was the automatic assumption that I would progress to complete a H.Dip (that’s a PGCE to you) and become a teacher; as is the case with the majority of graduates who study in my field.

Becoming an ecommerce resourcer

I always knew that I didn’t want to teach, but I wasn’t quite sure what exactly I DID want to do. I adored my degree, but short of becoming a teacher or a weatherwoman, the Geography aspect of it did not hold many opportunities for me. The Business aspect was also great – I enjoyed the people-focused modules, with Marketing and Business Cultures proving my favourite modules of study….Until in my 2^nd year when one of my lecturers came along and started to talk about “Recruitment”. This particular lecturer had previously worked in recruitment before returning to Uni to complete his Doctorate and subsequently go on to lecture. Recruitment clearly made quite the impact on him, however, as he focused an entire lecture series on the recruitment process and why it was important.  I knew recruitment existed, but what was it?

A company needs a new employee. They get tonnes of CVs sent their way. They choose a handful. Read them. Choose one. Hire the candidate. They all live happily ever after. The end.

…..Or so I thought; until the lecturer in question opened my eyes. Entire companies were built around the concept of finding perfect candidates for other companies to interview and hire for positions that they had available!? WHAT!? The concept seemed so alien to me – I had to find out more! So on my many visits to Procrastination Station while sitting in the University library when I was supposed to be learning about rocks or rivers, I became obsessed with researching the recruitment industry. I trawled the net for information on the industry in general, before setting up a LinkedIn page and attempting to navigate the site in a bid to connect with recruitment agencies and industry professionals.

Why did I join cranberry panda?

I had built up a substantial connection of recruitment agencies and had been contacted by many and had interviews with others but was totally put off by the “suit culture” which I witnessed. Everyone seemed to take themselves much too seriously and I knew that was not the kind of environment which I would enjoy, or even be comfortable working in. I second-guessed my thought that working in the recruitment industry might be for me….Until, that was, I came across cranberry panda.  The fun website, complete with panda in a plane won me over before I even read up on who they were or what they did (that only went on to cement my idea that this was the company I wanted to work for!) I got into contact with the guys and had a few chats and subsequent interviews while I was still in Ireland – I was made to feel so at ease throughout the entire process and if I wasn’t sure before, I definitely was now, that cranberry panda was the right company for me! I went on to do some tasks and get offered the position of E-Commerce Resourcer so I packed my bags and headed for London!

…..And here I am now – Day 2 in cranberry towers and already feeling like I have been here longer (in the best way!). Everybody has been so warm and welcoming, offering so much help and advice and the training which I have already received is second to none! I am feeling so confident and excited as to what my future as a panda holds and I can’t wait to see it all unfold!

Want to become an ecommerce resourcer?

Learn more about joining cranberry panda and apply for your dream recruitment job today!