'My start at Robert Walters was tailor-made'

Robert Brighton has made a complete turnaround in his career since joining Robert Walters as a Managing Consultant. Thanks to a tailor-made onboarding plan, good working conditions and inspiring colleagues.

How did you end up at Robert Walters?

'A few years ago I was working at a well-known software company in Amsterdam. There I was responsible for hiring external employees within all of Europe. In that role, I had a lot of contact with Robert Walters, which was one of the better agencies for brokering the professionals we were looking for. Melissa, my current manager, was at the time the manager of the Robert Walters team that I did a lot of business with, and we had many conversations over the years.

So when I was looking for a new job last year, I contacted Melissa. I was at a point in my career where I still enjoyed doing mediations myself, but I also noticed that I was getting more and more energy from coaching colleagues and imparting my knowledge. Although I initially wanted to work in the IT and technology corner again, Melissa told me she was looking for a managing consultant for her supply chain team. In the end, that turned out to be the perfect combination of a nice challenge, an existing team I could take under my wing, and managing my own client portfolio.

You came in as someone who already had a lot of experience. Did that make your first period at Robert Walters different from other startups?

'Definitely. What I really like is that the organization can deviate from the standard onboarding program and looks at what training suits new colleagues. I already knew a lot about recruitment thanks to my previous work experience, so the Bootcamp, a program of several weeks that prepares new starters for the job, didn't quite fit my profile. 

Instead, I started with an abbreviated program where I learned not so much about the recruiting profession, but rather about the organization in general and the Robert Walters corporate culture. And because I had little experience within the supply chain field, I also received market-specific training from my manager and colleagues. My start at Robert Walters was truly tailor-made.

What attracted you to the challenge of becoming a managing consultant at Robert Walters?

'This job combines two things that are important to me: on the one hand I can set up and grow my own business, on the other hand I can also coach and expand my own team. And also, a challenge: as a 'lateral entrant' you still have to prove yourself to the team you are managing, show that you have mastered recruitment yourself.'

What do you like about working at Robert Walters?

'I started completely remote, so up front, I'm really looking forward to celebrating successes together in the office again soon and have already heard a lot about the legendary summer parties...'

'What I already know is that it's nice to work in an organization with many like-minded colleagues. Robert Walters employs all professionals who are ambitious and entrepreneurial and want to be successful in their work. There is also a lot of focus on personal development and advancement opportunities. It is great to see colleagues in my team making their first placement or being promoted to a senior position. And then going through the process together again for the next promotion, that's what gives me energy.'

What are your own ambitions?

'I am currently participating in the management skills program and want to do my best to go up for manager. Then, within a few years, to advance to senior manager and eventually to a position as director. And the great thing is that's just possible here.'

What do you do when you're not at work?

'I have a five-and-a-half-year-old daughter and a two-and-a-half-year-old son, and soon I will have a third, so you can well imagine that in combination with a busy job there is little time left. I do enjoy sports and have recently started running. I live in IJmuiden, so I also like to go cycling with my family through the dunes or to the beach. I'm a real family man.