Get to know our people: Meet IWG recruiter Jessica Carroll

Posted on: 26th November 2021

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Jessica Carroll’s previous career was in retail working as a store manager for a major electronics outlet. But every year after a gruelling Christmas season she would say to herself, “Never again.”

“I was absolutely sick of working late, coming back in on Boxing Day and having to work weekends,” she explains. “So when I got headhunted by Regus parent company IWG, for a role as community manager at the Regus in Redhill Town Centre, Surrey (about 20 miles from London), I was excited.

“Then, when I researched the company and found out what the role entailed, I thought ‘Wow, this is perfect for me.’”

The job provided what she enjoyed most about retail, which was all about providing great customer service. Crucially, it also offered a much better work-life balance, freeing up more time for her to spend with family and friends.

That was three-and-a-half years ago. Now Jessica works as a recruiter for Regus centres as well as other brands in the IWG stable, splitting her time across a cluster of centres in the Redhill and Reigate areas.

Her role reflects the greater shift towards hybrid working, which means she has the option to work from home, from a local Regus flexspace, or from the company head office when needed. Indeed, once a week her team will go into central London to meet and collaborate at a contemporary workspace virtually on the doorstep of Victoria Station.

Jessica started the position in September, finding candidates for roles from customer service associates to area sales managers. While she’s still learning the ropes, her previous knowledge and experience in the company give her a direct insight into what is required from applicants.

On the flip side, it is also about understanding what applicants are looking for in a new employer or how to attract the best talent, many of whom will expect to have the option of flexible working.

She starts her day at around 8.30am and immediately makes sure that everything is in working order at the centre where she is based. Then it’s time to meet and greet clients as they arrive.

“My personality is naturally friendly and, after working for IWG for a few years, I’ve built up really good relationships with clients,” she says. “You definitely have to be people-orientated for this role and that’s what I really enjoy – networking and meeting new people.”

Even though she is now an IWG recruiter, Jessica believes it’s important to maintain those relationships, partly because it means she can provide assistance and advice to new team members if a problem arises.

“It’s just about how you approach those situations and manage clients’ expectations as well,” she explains.

She has seen a significant uptick in interest for hybrid work solutions across the IWG network since restrictions began lifting. This boom in hybrid working and the resulting demand for flexspaces places a greater importance on recruiters like Jessica, who are competing to hire the right people to work in this environment.

She says it’s wonderful seeing people returning to use the centres, which are much more than just offices. They offer spaces for collaboration and are places where people from all different professional backgrounds can work together and share ideas.

Customers using Regus in Redhill Town Centre are an eclectic mix of businesses, from accountancy firms to recruitment companies, as well as public sector workers and healthcare professionals.

Jessica says her long-term ambition is to move into a learning and development role but, for now, she is relishing cutting her teeth in recruitment and talent acquisition.

As she becomes more familiar with the role she will be able to provide valuable insights on how trends like hybrid working are influencing the recruitment market.

“I’ve learned so much about the flexspace industry while working for IWG,” she says. “In my current role, I’m really enjoying learning about the different facets of the job and it’s been a massive eye-opener.

“But the most important thing about the job, and what really puts a smile on my face when I think about coming to work, is the colleagues I get to work with and the clients I meet and get to know.”

With locations in thousands of neighbourhoods all over the world, find out how Regus can help your teams stay connected in the new hybrid world of work.

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  • Regus World

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