It's Profile Week

The first consultant to be profiled is Sarah Keen. Sarah is the TalentWax Program Director.

How did you begin your career in Human Resources?
I overheard someone talking about their position in HR on the train one night several years ago, and it sounded like something I’d be interested in, so the next day I started applying.
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What inspired you to become a TalentWax Consultant?
A deep-seated need to provide support and value to the people who need it most, as well as impatience with this global financial climate - I want to see trained, confident candidates with the wow factor in interviews to inspire employers to start hiring again.
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What do you believe are the main differences between TalentWax and other career support services?
We’ve tailored our program to individuals of all ages and professional levels. We know that the generation just starting out in the workforce is struggling to get a foothold in paid employment at the moment, and there are also people who have been in jobs for a decade or more, who just need a refresher course. We look after everyone and walk them through all the steps.
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What do you think are the main challenges facing job hunters at present?
Definitely the volume of interest in a lot of mainstream occupations at the moment – the market is saturated with people looking to get back into administration, reception or customer service work and just not getting the results they’re after. Candidates are also being challenged by the pressures facing the recruitment industry at the moment, so the whole system has bottlenecked.
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What elements of the job application process do you think are commonly mishandled among candidates?
Definitely the resume part – mistakes surface in job applications at all occupational levels and in every sector. It’s a huge gamble on your first impression and could cost you the job.
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What advice would you have for those people who could improve in these areas?
Come and see us at TalentWax! We don’t take over – we let you choose the style, detail and content. We just know what employers and recruiters want to see, and how to make them pay attention to you.
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When you have been a job candidate, how have you kept your nerves under control?
Passion, enthusiasm, excitement. I think I make my interviewer want to have me around because I channel my nervous energy into adrenalin and determination.
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What else has worked for you in the past as a candidate?
Taking care with job applications – making sure the cover letter and resume are tailored for each role, and maintaining good relationships. You never know when you need to call on someone for a favour.
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What is your perception of the recruitment industry at present?
I think it’s torn in half right now – one part is looking to make some quick coin to stay operational, and the other half is taking stock, examining their processes and relationships and making improvements for the long term.
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How do you believe candidates should manage relationships with recruiters?
Recognise that it’s a business relationship first, and a personal relationship second. If it starts to lose its business value, you need to tweak it and figure out how to stay valuable and relevant to the other party.
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What do you find most rewarding about delivering TalentWax?
Seeing the confidence return, the dots joined and sharing our knowledge and experience as recruiters with our clients.
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What would you most like to achieve as a TalentWax consultant?
Seeing our value shared by word of mouth, and broadening our reputation as a no-stress, down to earth support service for anyone and everyone.
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What does success mean to you?
Meeting your own expectations, not those of someone else. I have the highest respect for people who see the personal value and lesson in every experience, and don’t blame others if they don’t achieve 100% of their goal.
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What do you like doing in your spare time?
I’m a total Nanna – I read constantly, do the gardening, crosswords, knitting, writing, and I also like holiday mini-breaks whenever the bank account will allow it.
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What are you passionate about?
Real transparency and honesty. I find game-playing very draining and frustrating. I think we are boxed in by the facades we feel we need to uphold a lot of the time. I think honesty is generosity.
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What is the best compliment you’ve ever received?
“Thank you”.
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What is your greatest personal achievement?
Making TalentWax a reality.
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Which famous person would you like to be stuck in a lift with?
Barack Obama for the inspiration and intellect. Second choice would be Nigella Lawson - she’d probably have a spare picnic in her bag while we waited to be let out.
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What’s your favourite book?
The Bride Stripped Bare.
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What are you focused on learning more about this year?
The history of London, and some new knitting styles. I know, I need to get out more.
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