Blog

Meet the Team | Abigail Lincoln, Senior Consultant ‑ Construction

15Jan
  • 15th January 2025

 

How did you join the team at Coleman James?

I studied musical theatre at university, but my final year was interrupted by the COVID pandemic and theatres were shut, so I started considering other career options.

My dad works in construction, so I always had an interest in that industry, and construction recruitment felt like a good fit for me as there are actually quite a few transferable skills from the world of musical theatre! Confidence, presentation skills, knowing how to build and maintain relationships - those are all skills that serve you well in recruitment.

I was already working in recruitment when Coleman James approached me. I found the opportunity really exciting as I felt I wasn’t fulfilling my full potential and would struggle to progress within the role I was in at that point, but when Andy Mackay (Managing Director at Coleman James) and Beth Cullen (Director) contacted me, I felt it was worth a discussion.

Andy and Beth were friendly and put me at ease straight away, and that welcoming demeanour from both of them, plus the vibrant office, meant I instantly had a good feeling about Coleman James. 

They talked me through the progression opportunities, which really appealed to me, and I was keen to work with managerial-level candidates, which is exactly what I focus on in my role here. I’ve now been in recruitment for five years, and making the move to Coleman James has given me a big career boost.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are the same here. I run the contract desk, looking after the freelance account for our built environment recruitment service. I have to quickly fill jobs for our clients, so it’s very fast-paced and involves talking to a lot of people every day.

I keep in regular contact with our clients, ensuring I understand their needs, what they have coming up for the quarter, and what they need both right now and in the future. That means I need to be both reactive and proactive - sometimes they need someone there and then, sometimes they will need someone a few months down the line.

I try to be on-site with clients and candidates at least once a week. It’s so important in construction to understand exactly what each project entails and how it is coming together, and you can only get that understanding by getting your hard hat on and visiting the site itself.

Nurturing those client relationships and building a large network of candidates (such as site managers and project managers) is important. It helps me to find the right people for the right roles, and ultimately help the client.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

I’ve always loved working with people, and recruitment is all about people. Coupled with my interest in construction, it gives me the best of both worlds, honing my people skills and sharpening my knowledge of the industry.

I love learning about the intricacies and complexities of various construction projects, for example I enjoy gaining insight into how a build project evolves from the initial groundwork to the final completed structure.

Most of that sector knowledge comes from simply talking to people, and working with various individuals in different job roles is the best bit of my job.

What are the key ingredients for a successful career in recruitment?

Recruitment isn’t for everyone, but if you have the right attitude you can learn a huge amount and really thrive.

I’d say that resilience is important. Targets are ambitious, you work hard and have to be prepared to take on feedback and constantly learn and strive for more. 

Like any client-facing role, sometimes you need a thick skin and not be disheartened if the feedback isn’t quite what you expected. It’s all a learning opportunity and ultimately will help you hone your skills as a recruiter. Being personable and driven will take you far and help you build that resilience.

And of course, people skills are essential, as you’re dealing with clients and candidates all the time. 

What would your advice be to anyone considering a career in recruitment?

You have to be willing to learn quickly. It’s a very fast-paced world, so my advice would be to dive in head first and give things a go. 

You also have to be driven, ambitious, and keen to hit targets and progress. Be prepared to work hard and work fast, and it will be rewarding both in terms of career progression and the satisfaction of placing the right candidate and seeing them - and the business you’ve placed them in - thrive.

What training and support is on offer at Coleman James?

Regular training is very much part of the culture here at Coleman James, whether that’s through training courses or learning from others. I’m always able to speak to colleagues and my managers and ask questions. For example, if I find I’m coming up against similar challenges with each project, I can ask for specific training to address those ‘sticking points’. 

The whole team is supportive and approachable. Some have worked in recruitment for twenty years or more, and having their experienced outlook to refer to is so valuable. There isn’t anyone in the business I couldn’t turn to if I wanted support.

We bounce ideas off each other all the time. We have a weekly wrap-up meeting where we swap ideas, sound out new approaches and tactics, talk about current projects, and problem-solve together. 

We’re always working together to see how we can grow and do more as a business. We’re not competing with each other, we focus on helping each other as a whole unit.

Why would you recommend starting a career at Coleman James?

Coleman James is like nowhere else in terms of the support available from day one. Everyone wants to see you succeed, we applaud each other’s successes, and we all work hard. We’re also a seriously good group of people!

We’re rewarded for hard work, such as through summer conferences and director’s lunches. Finally, although it might sound clichéd, there really is a family feel. Everyone wants you to do well, and I picked up on that positivity and support as soon as I walked into the office.