WE DID IT!!! WE HIT OUR TARGET!!! The unbelievably generous Australian Recruitment Industry has already raised over $30,000 forEat Up Australia. 22 recruitment companies will battle it out in November to win the coveted title of BEST Australian Recruitment Industry Football Team… But much more important than that, is the fact that EatUp will be able to feed underprivileged Australian kids more than 30,000 meals. Now that the cash is in the bank, we can focus on the important business of football. The balling teams will be coming from: ⚽️Emanate Technology ⚽️Method Recruitment Group ⚽️The Andersen Partnership ⚽️Sharp & Carter ⚽️u&u. Recruitment Partners ⚽️Interpro ⚽️Just Digital People ⚽️Morgan Consulting ⚽️Davidson ⚽️Fetch Recruitment ⚽️TOM Executive ⚽️Ethos BeathChapman ⚽️CGC Recruitment ⚽️Charterhouse Partnership ⚽️Bluefin Resources ⚽️Precision Sourcing ⚽️SustainAbility Consulting ⚽️Design & Build Recruitment/Public Sector People ⚽️MAP TALENT ⚽️Redpath Partners So to all the teams above, start dusting off (or purchasing) your boots, get down the gym, order your strips, start picking your team, and give yourself a huge pat on the back for getting onboard with such a great cause. The 2 teams who won it last time around are no longer with us…. SO… WHO’S GONNA BRING IT HOME? ⚽️ 🏆 ⚽️ 🏆 ⚽️ 🏆 ⚽️ 🏆 ⚽️ 🏆 Oh, by the way, we’d love to raise MORE money and feed more kids, so if you have a little left in your charitable donation budget, the GoFundMe page is in the link below… And THANK YOU! 🙏 ❤️ MASSIVE THANKS to Annabella Poon and the legends at Vincere.io for helping make this possible. You literally rock! 👊🏻

Australia’s top 10 highest paid professions were listed recently, and “Recruitment Consultant” didn’t even make it into the top 10. And I think I know why… Firstly, because you don’t need to qualify or get a Degree to be a “Recruitment Consultant”, we tend not to be featured on these types of lists. (We kinda get snubbed!) But the main reason is because these lists are calculated on basic salaries only. We all know that basic salaries in Recruitment aren’t world beating. So it stands to reason we wouldn’t be ranked that high. But that’s Ok. We don’t do the job for the basic, right? (Well, we shouldn’t. And if you do, you might be in the wrong gig!) So I’ve taken the liberty of adding us to the list where I think we’d slot in, based on our TOTAL earnings, including commission. I’m putting us in at No 11. Just under Financial Advisor. So, I reckon the “average” (established) Recruiter (based on the current market conditions, typical commission schemes, and average billings numbers) is earning around $130-140k a year. In this calculation, I’m factoring in Rookies, low performers, high performers, very high performers, One-Man-Bands, etc. And if you challenge this calculation, I’d love nothing more than a healthy debate in the comments below. But back to the list… As I said, I’m slotting us in at No 11, just below Financial Advisor. And presumably a couple of slots above Real Estate Agent and Internal Recruiter. And it also means we’re only 10 spots away from brain surgeon! 🧠 😆

Mint R2R has been successfully relocating overseas Recruiters into Australia for almost 20 years. We have proudly assisted literally hundreds of Recruiters realise their dream by not only living and working in Australia, but elevating their careers, and earning potential? Did you know that the vast majority of the Australian recruitment industry population is made up of overseas Recruiters? Did you know you're most likely to be on a better basic salary over in Australia? Did you know that your visa doesn't cost you anything, and your employer will pay for it for you? Anyway, we could go on... But, quite often, there's no good reason why you can't make the move to Australia if you're an experienced Recruiter. If you'd like to talk to us about making that life changing move, and making all your friends really, really, really jealous, give us a nudge for a very confidential chat.

When I first landed in Australia in November 2000, I went to work for a household name recruitment brand. They were a very successful company, with, what you would have assumed, decent leadership. During my time with this company (which occupied 3 levels of sales floors), I often found myself in the elevator with the CEO. Just me and him. He was a well-heeled, well-spoken, smartly-dressed gentleman, who oozed wealth. Conversely, I was a working-class, ex-SThree scumbag, with about 5 minutes recruitment experience, who’d spent what tiny amount of savings I had getting myself to Australia. Even though we shared a very enclosed lift ride together, shoulder to shoulder, about half a dozen times, guess how many times we chatted? Zero. Each time I found myself in that awkward, 60 second moving cupboard with “The Big Cheese”, I’d attempt to make eye contact, with the hope to then introduce myself. It never happened. His mind was elsewhere. And I was too intimidated to speak up. On most occasions, I’m not sure he even knew there was somebody else in the lift with him. He had bigger fish to fry. Of the 6 or 7 times I found myself in that lift with that CEO, not once did we exchange words. Or even nods. We remained strangers. I knew who he was. But he had no clue who I was. Fast forward about 15 years, and I started working with a client that was owned by this same chap. I spoke to him one day, and couldn’t resist. I said “Do you know that I used to work for you, many years ago?” He didn’t even pretend to remember me. He actually still came across like he didn’t particularly care that much. 😆 (At least he was consistent!) It made me wonder how many other staff he had hired over the years who he never bothered to speak to, or get to know. I recorded a podcast on Friday and the guest spoke about a very well-known Australian Recruitment Business Leader who he used to work for, who he believes always demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his career. And one of the main things this particular leader used to do so well, was get to know his people. Connect with them. Spend time with them. Go on visits with them. Make them feel valued and significant. I agree. I believe one of the most important traits of strong leadership is the ability to connect with your people on a personal level. Only then, when they feel they know you, and they feel you value them and care for them (as humans, and not just revenue generators), will you get true loyalty from them. Do you agree? Have you ever been ignored by your Boss? Or the opposite? Have you ever had a brilliant Boss who has taken time to truly get to know you? PS: This leader is still very active in the recruitment industry, I think. We haven’t spoken for a while. 😊

Every time I sit down to tackle a family size packet of peanut M&Ms (on my own), I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time I sit down and watch the first Manchester United game at the start of the long and painful season, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time I turn up at F45 and line up at the start of the class alongside all the fit, young 20 somethings in their singlets and Lycra, I look down at my moobs and always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time I sit down on a plane to eat packet food and watch 90s re-runs for 36 hours, so I can go home and massage my Grandmas feet, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time I talk to a Candiate who has registered with 3 other Recruiters and turned down 5 job offers because something they “just couldn’t put their finger on didn’t feel right”, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time a new prospective client requests 45 minutes of my time so they can tell me why their recruitment company is “different” and how they’re going to “shake things up”, I think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. Every time the 1st of July rolls round and the placements board gets wiped clean again, smeared with the successes of history, I always think “Nah, I can’t do this again!” But I do. I push through. We Recruiters push through. That’s what we do. I think we badge it as “tenacity” or “perseverance”. Moral of the story? Excessive and regular peanut M&M consumption definitely contributes to unwanted moobs.

It’s so lovely to be recognised as the “Best Rec2Rec” in my part of the world, and "Best R2R Agency" in this years Australian Sourcr Recruitment Awards. I’m incredibly grateful to all of my Candidates and Clients, from all over Australia, who posted reviews on the Sourcr website in this past year. It's been nothing short of a pleasure working with all of you. 👊🏻 I’m particularly proud of the fact that the service Mint R2R provides rated as 5 out of 5 from everybody who was kind enough to take time to review us. In life, we all do what we do for different reasons and different motivations, but when it’s recognised by the very people you’re helping, it’s hugely rewarding. Thank you, Recruitment Industry. Means a lot! 🙏 (I'll stop short of thanking my parents and the dogs). 😆

The ONLY game we Recruiters should play, is “the long game”… One of the nicest things about having been around a while, is seeing and appreciating long term relationships as they continue to work year, after year, after year, after year… I’ll try and illustrate what I mean, with a few examples from my own business… I made my first placement with Six Degrees Executive11 years ago. (That Candidate is still there!) And I made my most recent placement with them just 6 weeks ago. I made my first placement with FourQuarters Recruitment11 years ago. (That Candidate is also still there!) My most recent placement starts with them in September. I made my first placement with Bluefin Resources9 years ago. (Yep, he’s still there!) I placed 3 Recruiters into that same Candidate’s team in the last financial year. I made my first placement with Redpath Partners10 years ago. My most recent placement starts with them in September. I made my first placement with Sharp & Carter 8 years ago. (They are still there!) I made 2 placements with them in the past 9 months. I made my first placement with Davidson8 years ago. I have placed 4 people there in the past 5 months. I made my first placement into Design & Build Recruitment/Public Sector People12 years ago. I have placed 4 people there in the past year. Relationships, and loyalty, mean everything in this industry. EVERYTHING! Make sure YOU play “the long game”…..

Yesterday, I went to my favourite fancy cafe in the city and ordered a strong almond latte. It's an expensive coffee of choice, but I don’t mind the $6 hit. I figure I deserve it. And it also sets me up for a full day of power meetings with really important Recruiters. But yesterday, something happened that shook me to my core. As I sipped my latte, I responded to some incredibly important emails about, you know, heavy duty recruitment shit. I noticed a young man in the coffee line who looked like he needed his coffee hit more than I did. I watched him, curiously. He ordered a “jumbo cappuccino”, so I instantly knew he maybe wasn’t as sophisticated as somebody who might order an almond latte. But I certainly didn’t judge him. He also had “that Recruiter” vibe going on, so I knew he was one of my own. He ordered his jumbo cap, and the Cafe Dude said “$6.40 please, Mate!” My Recruiter friend looked awkward. It was obvious that he couldn’t cover the cost of his oversized caffeine hit. To spare his blushes, I stepped forward and proffered a crisp $100 note. I said to the Cafe Dude “And chuck in a blueberry muffin too! He looks like he needs it!” I might’ve winked as I said it. I can’t remember. I probably did. I’m classy like that. The young Recruiter was embarrassed, but grateful. We sat down and we chatted. He instantly opened up about the fact that things just weren’t going his way at work at the moment. He’d had an awful run of luck. Some “definite” deals hadn’t dropped in, and his pipeline was rubbish. He’d been forced to pause his gym membership, restock his fridge with non organic produce, and downsize from a 3 bed apartment with ocean view to a measly 2 bedder with river views. The kid welled up as he told me his story. He told me he had a $40k bonus landing in about 3 weeks, and that he knew that “everything will be OK eventually”, but he just didn’t know how he was going to get through the next 21 days. I gave him some advice. Some bollocks about building his network and “Always Be Closing!” Standard stuff. Most importantly, I gave him the address of a really decently priced organic supermarket. He looked into my eyes, and thanked me. I said “It’s OK, Buddy. I’ve been there! You’ll get through this!” As he left the cafe, I quickly pointed out that the advice I gave him wasn’t for free, but that he didn’t have to worry about paying me for it till his $40k bonus dropped in. He thanked me again, and walked away. I wondered if I’d ever see him again. But I knew I’d done a good thing. I don’t tell you this story, publicly, on social media, for all to see, because I want you to think I’m a total legend. No. Not at all. I just ask you to be alert. Next time you’re in a top-end-of-town cafe, and you notice somebody ordering a coffee with normal milk instead of almond milk, please look deeper. I beg you. They might be a Recruiter waiting for their next bonus. Please be alert, People. 🙏

I’m very aware that I’m not the type of person who does things particularly better than anybody else. Nor am I the person who comes up with unique ideas that nobody else has ever thought of before. Or wins awards for anything in particular. But I can say with some amount of pride that I AM the person who perseveres (through good and bad times). I find what I’m good at, and what I enjoy, and I stick at it for as long as I can. Mint Recruitment is a demonstration of that. We’ve been going for nearly 2 decades, and we’re still (I hope and believe) providing one of the best R2R services in Australia and the UK. Tooting my own horn there, maybe. But nobody else will toot it for you. 🎺 😆 So to all the people out there who go the distance, I salute you. Sure, I bet it’s amazing to come up with a great idea, and sell for millions 5 years later. But there’s also something noble about working hard for a long time, doing what you do best, and never throwing in the towel. On that note, here’s a photo of me recently hitting 300 classes at F45. In PAIN, but PERSERVERING… 😆