Tell us a little bit about yourself, your role and how you found your way to Kingfisher?

I’m Tom, Talent Acquisition Specialist at Kingfisher, and I am approaching my fifth year with Kingfisher. Throughout my career, I have spent some time with companies such as TUI and Funding Circle, and also partnered with large corporations dedicated to important recruitment projects like HSBC, BP and Linklaters LLP. I started as a graduate in an agency before I transitioned into in-house recruitment during my 3rd year. I aimed to always move into an in-house role due to the fact I wanted to create a stronger, strategic partnership with the businesses I work with, and now, as I approach my 10th year in the field, I can confidently say that this was the correct decision and recruitment is a truly rewarding career.

What’s your favourite thing about working in Talent Acquisition?

The dynamic nature of each day is what I find appealing, each day is never the same. My regular tasks involve liaising with managers to understand their hiring needs, promoting job opportunities, assessing candidates, coordinating, occasionally conducting interviews, and overseeing the onboarding process at Kingfisher. What is equally exciting is working with highly skilled and imaginative individuals who are genuinely passionate about their work. Within my stakeholder pool, which includes team members from Data Science, Marketplace, and Data Analytics, to name a few, there's a continuous learning experience every day.

What has surprised or challenged you most about working at Kingfisher, and how have you adapted to it?

Joining just under 5 years ago, I was quickly struck by the pace of change and the rapid movement within the company. To provide context, collaborating with the Tech teams presents its unique challenges. A key principle in working with these teams is adopting an agile approach, a methodology embraced by most of the teams I interact with. Within Kingfisher’s dynamic landscape, a willingness to adapt is crucial; otherwise, there's a risk of falling behind. At Kingfisher, when changes unfold, the company provides every possible opportunity, including the essential tools and information, ensuring we all stay ahead of the game. Asking questions is important too; if you’re not sure about something, ask questions!

Working in Talent Acquisition, you’re speaking to candidates all the time. What one piece of advice would you give to those preparing for or going through an interview process right now?

Investing time in researching Kingfisher or any company you're interviewing with is important, as you’re likely to be asked a question relating to this. Understand who they are, their core activities, as well as their culture and values. Assessing whether these align with your values is imperative. Equally important is familiarising yourself with the interview process and potential questions. Don't hesitate to ask about the process from the recruiter; it will enhance your interview preparation. Finally, don't forget to highlight your accomplishments and articulate the value you could potentially bring to the company. Provide specific examples of your contributions to projects and elaborate on how you've made a positive impact. This is a valuable opportunity to showcase your skills and experiences.