My first 90 days

Finding a company that shares my values.

When I began looking at where my next move was going to be I knew I wanted to find a business that aligned with my values. Looking across the recruitment market in Edinburgh, I wasn't just interested in joining a company with a strong reputation; I wanted to be part of an organisation that genuinely puts relationships, integrity, and long-term partnerships at the heart of what it does.

Recruitment has changed significantly since I first entered the industry in 2022. The market has shifted from being heavily candidate-led to much more client-led, meaning that simply filling vacancies is no longer enough. Clients are looking for genuine partners who can offer advice, insights, and support beyond traditional recruitment.

That was a major factor in my decision to join Change. I wanted to be somewhere that shared my belief that recruitment should add value at every stage of the hiring process. Whether it's identifying exceptional finance talent, providing salary benchmarking, carrying out competitor analysis, talent mapping, or supporting workforce planning, I wanted to join an organisation where these conversations are encouraged and where helping clients solve business challenges is just as important as filling vacancies.

Why Change?

Before joining, I was already aware of the Change brand and its strong reputation across the Scottish market. However, what really stood out to me during the interview process was the ambition within the organisation.

What impressed me the most about Change was that while there was a clear focus on building for the future and incorporating AI, there was no desire to lose sight of the values that have made the business successful in the first place which is the people first attitude.

There was a genuine excitement from everyone I met about where the organisation is heading over the next three to five years. That excitement was matched by a commitment to remaining a people-first business that focuses on delivering the best possible experience for clients, candidates, and colleagues alike.

My First Few Months

The first thing that struck me after joining was the energy within the business.

There is a real buzz around the office, with people genuinely invested in helping each other succeed. Coming into a new organisation can always feel daunting, but from day one I was made to feel welcome by the team.

One of the things I found particularly interesting was learning more about the wider Taranata Group learning about our Virtuoso which is our fully managed recruitment solution offering, to our expert IT Consultants from Change Digital & Head resourcing or Hanya Partners which is our specialist consultancy experts focused on improving performance in outsourced relationships. Whilst I was familiar with Change brand, I hadn't fully appreciated the breadth of expertise that exists across the Group.

Spending time with the various teams and leaders across different specialisms gave me a much better understanding of the services available to clients and the collaborative nature of the business. It was clear that everyone operates with the same goal: delivering the best possible outcome for clients while maintaining the high standards and reputation that Change has built over many years.

Building New Relationships

As with any new role in recruitment, a large part of my focus during the first few months has been building relationships.

I've enjoyed reconnecting with existing contacts across the Edinburgh and Glasgow finance markets whilst also introducing myself to new organisations and finance professionals. One of the reasons I enjoy Accountancy & Finance recruitment so much is that no two conversations are ever the same.

Every business has different challenges, whether that's attracting talent, retaining staff, developing future leaders, or understanding what's happening in the wider market. Being able to support those conversations and offer insights that help businesses make informed decisions is something I find incredibly rewarding.

Looking Ahead

Whilst the first three months have flown by, I genuinely feel like I'm only scratching the surface of what's possible at Change.

The combination of an established brand, ambitious growth plans, supportive colleagues and a values-led culture makes it an exciting place to be. I'm looking forward to continuing to build relationships across the Scottish finance market, helping clients navigate an ever-changing hiring landscape, and supporting talented finance professionals with the next steps in their careers.

If my first three months are anything to go by, I'm excited to see what the future holds. My key message to all those I’ve met in the first three months is how can we help outside of providing you top talent, if you’d like to review our salary guide or any bespoke research on the market conducted please don’t hesitate to reach out to me.

Here's to the next chapter at Change.