Vol.7 – 14 Years in Recruitment: Career Milestones and Future Vision
For today’s Meet the Team article, we spoke with Miki Kimoto Warnock, our Executive Director for Operations & Talent Development, a 14-year veteran of CPA. We got her insights into the history of the company and looked forward to what would be coming in the future.
Briefly, how did you get started in recruitment?
“In Japan, I worked in Marketing and Merchandising, but when I moved to the UK, I decided to have a fresh start and try something new. I was interested in communications and personnel, so when I registered with Centre People, they told me they had an opening and so I interviewed and was successful!”
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
“I don’t really have big hobbies or anything, but something everyone knows is that I really love dogs. I have my “daughter”, an 8-year-old English Cocker Spaniel. So, I always enjoy spending time with my dog. It’s part of my stress relief, spending time with her and my husband. I live in Kent so there’s lots of choice for places to go together, and with the weather getting warmer now, we’ll be going out a lot to the parks, woods, and beaches.
Another passion is growing vegetables, I’m fortunate to have a good-sized garden, and now with Spring coming I’m starting to prepare the veg I’m going to grow. I usually plant day to day vegetable such as Tomatoes, Cucumbers, but also grow Japanese herbs like “Shiso”, since you can buy it in the UK as well but it’s expensive. I grow it and sometime give it to my colleagues, too.”
What’s something about you that would surprise your clients?
“It’s a difficult question, but when I introduce myself to a new client, they always ask how long I’ve been in the UK, and I tell them 14 years – they’re always really surprised. It’s gone by quickly though, it doesn’t feel like I’ve been here 14 years.
When I have personal discussions with clients, they’re surprised that I studied at an art university, too. Nothing to do with economics or business, but I studied industrial design for furniture – but I do feel I get to use my design skills for my day-to-day activities in this job”
What are the biggest challenges facing the recruitment industry today?
“One of the biggest events during my career was Brexit, actually a lot has changed as they’re used to be a lot more Europeans in the country. Many of my long-term clients used to request a lot of German, French, Italian nationals, so I never really struggled to find these candidates. However, we can really struggle to find these people now.
Another thing is that the work environment is changing so much now, that people like me in their 40s and 50s, the managers and directors, the way they started their career is now very different to the way that people are starting now. They need to update their knowledge, because the way they were trained by their managers, or the way they were hired, is very different now.”
From a management perspective, what do you think has been the biggest factor in Centre People’s continued growth?
“I think the clarification of the company’s values and mission, and sharing it with our employees, is really important. Of course, Centre People is a fairly small company, still less than 30 people anyway, so the people know each other very well, right? So it’s more easier probably to do that. Every employee must know our goals, and where we’re going in the future and how to get there.
I think that top management must take responsibility for creating an environment where employees want to work here in the long term. If we can’t satisfy our own employees, certainly, we cannot satisfy our customers.”
Looking back on your career progression from Recruitment Consultant to Director over 14 years, what key moments or turning points stand out to you?
“When I was promoted from Manager to Associate Director in 2019, it was a complete surprise, I honestly didn’t expect to hear this news at all. On the other hand, I was very pleased that top management trusted me and gave me a chance. Based on that experience, I’m trying to be Manager who can sense everyone’s motivations and thoughts so that I can give the same opportunities when they are ready!”
How would you like to see CPA grow in the future?
“Last year we had our first top management camp, and we talked about a lot of things that we never talked about before, including our mission, future plan, and vision, for the next 3, 5, and 10 years. One of the key goals we made, was to be the top HR comprehensive service provider/partner for all Japanese companies operating in Europe, support their success, and establish the Japan presence together across Europe and the World!”
Thank you to Miki for sharing her thoughts with us, we’re lucky to have her leading our company! Feel free to connect with her and follow us to meet more of our fantastic consultants!
