Interview with Jake, Lead Talent Partner.

We recently sat down with Jake Cowell, Lead Talent Partner here at the rec hub to find out a bit more about his personal journey and share some insight on our engaged talent solution. 

Hi Jake, thanks for joining us. Firstly, could you tell us a bit about yourself?

Hey, I'm Jake, a walking hurricane of energy and enthusiasm! At 29, I may have a few "wisdom lines" thanks to my adventures in the recruitment jungle, but trust me, my spirit is forever young. Currently based in West London, UK, I'm all set to embark on a thrilling journey across Europe starting this September. Remote working is my ticket to explore new places while keeping the business fires burning. Exciting times ahead, right?

Now, when it comes to passion, I wear my heart on my sleeve. I'm a genuine people person, driven by building meaningful connections that go beyond just business. They say I'm a bit of an "Advocate" personality type, always fired up and ready to champion what I believe in. Sometimes, my enthusiasm can be mistaken for an energy overdose, but hey, who doesn't love a little extra zest?

Outside of the professional realm, you'll catch me throwing punches in the boxing ring. I'm a big fan of Tyson Fury, Terrence Crawford, and David Benavidez (the "Mexican monster"!). Traveling is another one of my passions—I'm constantly seeking new experiences and soaking up diverse cultures. Oh, and let's not forget my nerdy side! I'm a self-proclaimed horology geek, fascinated by all things watches. And yes, shopping might just be my secret hobby—I mean, who can resist the allure of new stuff? Finally, I have an unapologetic need for speed! German and Italian cars rev my engine like nothing else.

So, that's me in a nutshell - Jake, the unstoppable force with a genuine love for people, a passion for adventure, and a touch of nerdy obsessions.

What is your background?

So, picture this: after completing school, I found myself standing at the crossroads of life, clueless about which path to choose. And you know what? I decided to take a detour and explore various avenues. Trust me, my resume is a colourful tapestry of experiences!

I've ventured into different realms, from inspiring fitness junkies as a personal trainer to setting dance floors ablaze as a DJ. I even tried my hand at the art of car sales, where my gift of gab truly shone. But fate had a surprise in store for me, and I stumbled upon the enchanting world of recruitment. And boy, did it captivate me!

For the past 10 years, I've immersed myself in the recruitment scene, wearing different hats along the way. From being the master matchmaker as a recruiter to building strong client relationships as an account manager, I've embraced every role. And yes, I've even taken on the role of a team lead and director, leading by example and achieving remarkable results.

My journey has led me to work with an impressive array of clients. From vibrant startups brimming with creativity to esteemed venture capitalists and renowned brands like Fresenius, MediaMarkt, Capgemini, Lufthansa, Heidelberg Materials, Puma, Allianz, Continental—oh, the list goes on! I've had the privilege of collaborating with them, helping them find top-tier talent.

Now, let's talk specialisation. Throughout my recruitment career, I've focused on the German market, immersing myself in its vibrant ecosystem. While tech roles have been my primary playground, I've also explored the exciting territories of strategy, cyber security, supply chain, procurement, finance, and even dabbled in sales.

In a nutshell, my background is a delightful cocktail of experiences, a track record that speaks for itself, and a genuine passion for connecting exceptional individuals with extraordinary opportunities. Buckle up, my friend, because together we're embarking on a thrilling journey filled with enthusiasm, personality, and successful outcomes!

What do you do at the rec hub?

Let me take you behind the scenes of my exciting role at the rec hub! I proudly hold the position of Lead in our remarkable contingent business, "Engaged." I lead a talented team of five recruiters, and together, we're on a mission to revolutionise the world of recruitment. By the end of 2023, we're aiming to expand our already fantastic squad to ten amazing Recruiters.

Now, let me paint a clearer picture of what I bring to the table. As the Lead, my responsibilities are diverse and dynamic. One of my key passions is business development. I'm constantly seeking out new opportunities, forging valuable partnerships, and growing our client base. I have a knack for uncovering hidden gems and showcasing the immense value our services can bring to organisations.

Another crucial aspect of my role is process optimization. I love fine-tuning our recruitment strategies, streamlining workflows, and leveraging the latest tools and technologies. My goal is to boost our team's productivity and ensure that everything runs smoothly, resulting in outstanding outcomes for our clients.

Strategy is where my expertise shines and what I love! I stay ahead of the curve by exploring industry trends, brainstorming innovative approaches to talent acquisition, and crafting a roadmap for success. By continuously pushing boundaries and exceeding expectations, we can deliver exceptional results for our clients.

When it comes to delivery, I take a hands-on approach. As the conductor of our recruitment efforts, I work closely with our team to ensure we consistently surpass client expectations. Guiding and supporting our recruiters, I help them reach their full potential, while always striving to present top-tier candidates.

Being part of our Leadership team is an honour. It allows me to collaborate with brilliant minds across various departments, from marketing and sales to operations. Together, we foster a collaborative environment that fuels our business's growth and success.

So, that's a glimpse into my role at the rec hub. With a genuine passion for what I do, I'm committed to making a positive impact in the world of recruitment. Together with my talented team, we're dedicated to delivering exceptional results, forging meaningful partnerships, and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in our industry.

Why should someone choose the rec hub engaged service?

With our engaged service, we’re truly dedicated to meeting your hiring needs. Our Talent Partners go above and beyond to deliver exceptional results, whether it's for a quick hire or a challenging role. We work collaboratively, putting your brand and business objectives at the heart of everything we do. Unlike traditional agencies, we prioritise role ownership over commissions, meaning we genuinely care about finding the best fit for your team.

Additionally, we operate on a success basis, ensuring that you only pay us a fee when we successfully find you a qualified candidate. This approach aligns our interests with yours and demonstrates our commitment to delivering tangible results.

By choosing our engaged service, you'll experience a tailored approach focused on quality rather than quantity. We invest the time and effort to understand your unique requirements, ensuring we find candidates who not only have the right skills but also align with your company culture. We aim to build a long-lasting partnership with you, guiding you through the hiring process with care and expertise.

Tell me about your Engaged Squad.

Our Engaged Squad consists of experienced recruiters who understand the European market, with a special focus on the dynamic German market. We have a deep understanding of various industries, including technology, construction, transportation, energy, automotive, healthcare, digital, finance, manufacturing, and fashion. We have successfully partnered with startups, scale-ups, and DAX40 enterprises, which enables us to anticipate your needs and provide tailored solutions that drive results. When you choose our engaged service, you're gaining access to a team of experts who are passionate about delivering excellence in every aspect of the recruitment process. Rest assured, we are committed to finding you a candidate that aligns with your requirements, and you only pay us a fee upon a successful placement.

In summary, choose our engaged service for a personalised and transparent approach to hiring. We genuinely care about finding the right talent for you, and our dedicated team will support you every step of the way. Let's elevate your hiring process together.

What sets you apart from standard recruitment agencies?

What sets us apart is our genuine dedication to your satisfaction. We don't rely on commissions to drive our actions; instead, we go the extra mile to provide a detailed and quality-oriented process. Our nearly 100% offer conversion rate speaks to our commitment to finding the right talent for mid-senior roles. We believe in transparency and honesty, providing you with valuable feedback and insights throughout the recruitment journey, even if it's not always easy to hear.

We're here to support you in making informed decisions. Moreover, our success-based fee structure ensures that you only pay us when we successfully find you a candidate, reinforcing our focus on delivering results.

How does your engaged service work?

Our engaged service follows a structured and effective process. It starts with a thorough role briefing where we take the time to understand your needs. We keep you informed through regular catch-up meetings, ensuring a seamless collaboration. Our Talent Partners provide a comprehensive role briefing summary, offering valuable insights and presenting navigating profiles as a guide. We even create a compelling briefing deck for candidates, showcasing your company's unique selling points.

To find the best talent, we leave no stone unturned. Our Talent Partners employ a robust sourcing strategy, leveraging platforms like LinkedIn, our extensive database, and trusted referrals. We utilise social media and targeted advertising to attract the right candidates for your roles. Throughout the process, we provide you with regular progress reports, keeping you engaged and informed every step of the way.

Once we identify potential candidates, we go above and beyond. Our Talent Partners meticulously manage the negotiation process to secure successful placements. You can trust us to handle every aspect of the recruitment process, ensuring a smooth and positive outcome. And remember, our success-based fee structure means you only pay us a fee when we find you a candidate who meets your requirements.

Thanks Jake, it all sounds so exciting!