Meri has been working at Zoom Recruitment since 2007 when she started out as a receptionist. She moved through the ranks as a recruitment consultant and account manager, until she became our Civil, Construction & Rail Manager in 2014.

With over 15 years of experience in the recruitment industry and having worked on a host of major projects, we sat down with Meri to gain some of her brilliant insights into the recruitment industry at present.

You’ve been at Zoom Recruitment for a long time. What are some of the major projects you’ve worked on?

• Sugarloaf Pipeline
• Regional Rail Link - Footscray to Deer Park
• Western Highway Duplication
• St Albans to Werribee Pipeline
• Dingley Bypass
• Caulfield to Dandenong Level-crossing Removal Project
• Mernda Rail Extension Project
• M80 Upgrade
• Westgate Tunnel Project
•  CityLink Tullamarine Widening – Bulla Road to Melbourne
• Airport CityLink Tullamarine Widening - Power Street to Bulla Road

You’ve worked on so many projects over the years. Which one has really stood out for you or been your favourite to be part of?

My favourite was probably the Caulfield to Dandenong Level-crossing Removal Project because my team was involved from the very start and it was a huge project with lots of requirements for labour hire, which came with challenges and great learning opportunities for me. This project also allowed me to spend time on-site at the precast yard, which was another fantastic opportunity for me to understand different aspects of the industry on a more detailed level.

So much has changed, not only in the recruitment industry but in the entire economy, since the pandemic started. What are your thoughts on the recruitment industry as we still tackle the challenges after almost 2 years of this unprecedented season?

For us as a company, we felt the opposite effects when compared to other businesses. Because our clients offer essential services, like the postal industry, we felt an immense increase in demand but we had to learn to work in a different capacity – from home. We had to learn to manage remotely rather than in person. Challenges included having many people wiped out because of positive test results or being a close contact and then having to replace them in a very short time span so our client could meet their demands. And being desk bound meant not being able to see clients or visit sites and this was challenging because we like the in-person connection. Interviewing online is also different. When a candidate walks in, you can see their mannerisms and personal attributes. You can only build so much rapport online – even though being online is very convenient.

What’s your advice to businesses that are looking to hire people in this season?

At the moment, the candidate market is very very tough and it’s difficult to attract candidates. Because the market is hard, a lot of companies have been giving employment bonuses just to get people to start. It’s important to invest in your people now more than ever. By paying a little bit extra, you can try to retain people because paying award rates in the current employment market means you’re not going to retain people. The biggest thing right now is trying to retain your workforce.

What would clients expect when they deal with you for their requirements?

Honesty and a consultative approach. Clients always expect a solution and an alternative if we don’t have exactly what they want. If a client calls, they expect that every process has been followed before a worker arrives on their site. They know that we know their processes and expect a high standard of service from us.

What does a typical day at Zoom Recruitment look like for you?

There are no typical days. Things are different every day and you really don’t know what you’re going to walk into in the morning. You can have your to-do list all planned out, and then one phone call with a request or an incident can throw off your entire day. You’re always dealing with something different and especially with Covid-19, it’s been so testing. We plan our day, but we are always alert and ready for any curve balls thrown our way.

How would you describe Zoom Recruitment as an organisation?

It’s not a job to me - it’s a belonging for me. It’s like a family and I have so much respect for the people here. We work hard but we get rewarded for what we do. Someone always has your back and will help to support you. It’s a place of care and a place where everyone feels belonging.

What is a quote or a belief statement that you always go back to and why?

“You matter.” I find this very empowering. Everybody matters – for somebody to tell you that you matter, it means so much.

Work together with a company that Makes People Matter.