What to Expect in Your First 6 Months in Recruitment

Thinking about a career in recruitment but not sure what those first few months really look like? We caught up with Max, who joined QCS Staffing as a Delivery Executive in 2023, to talk honestly about his early experience. In his own words, Max shares what it was like starting out, settling into a new team and learning the QCS way of doing things, as well as the moments that helped him build confidence and realise recruitment was the right career move. If you’re interested in recruitment and want a real insight into what the role involves, this blog is for you!

Training & Learning Curves

The training throughout the six‑month probation period is extensive and thoughtfully structured, covering all the fundamentals you need to succeed. One of the most valuable parts of the learning process for me was the industry presentations. This task involves deep‑diving into specific areas of your market including the clients we partner with, the types of projects they deliver and the roles we recruit for.

You then present your findings to a Business Winner, who brings valuable industry experience, offers constructive feedback, corrects any gaps in understanding and expands on each topic with real‑world insight. Coming from a different background, this training massively boosted my confidence when speaking to candidates and helped me truly understand the Life Sciences industry not just at surface level, but in a meaningful, practical way.

Another standout aspect of training was the time my manager, Kriss, spent listening to call recordings with me. Together, we reviewed how I communicated with candidates and identified areas for improvement. This wasn’t something I experienced in my previous role, but it’s been invaluable. Listening back to yourself can feel slightly uncomfortable at first, but it’s one of the quickest ways to develop stronger, more effective communication skills and it’s something I still do today.

The LinkedIn Recruiter training delivered by the Marketing team was also incredibly useful. It provided practical tips, smarter search techniques and helped me build strong habits early on particularly around organisation and staying on top of applications from the very beginning.

Wins, Challenges & Real Moments

One of the things I value most about QCS is how you’re set up to succeed. By my second month, I’d already secured my first placement! This speaks volumes about the training, structure and support in place. The team is genuinely invested in your success and even senior colleagues are always happy to offer guidance or step in to help when needed.

Having access to experienced colleagues who openly shared their own first‑year challenges was hugely reassuring. They talked honestly about mistakes they made and lessons they learned, which helped me avoid similar pitfalls. Starting somewhere new can feel overwhelming, but my manager broke bigger objectives down into smaller, manageable tasks, making everything feel achievable. It’s a mindset I still apply today and one that’s really helped me stay focused and motivated.

One challenge I faced within my first six months was returning from annual leave. I worried I’d fall behind or lose momentum with candidates, but those concerns quickly disappeared. My team was incredibly supportive, covering my workload while I was away. On returning, I focused on what I could control: making calls, sending candidates out and re‑establishing conversations. It reinforced just how strong the team culture at QCS really is.

Advice for New Recruiters

Starting a new role, especially in recruitment, isn’t always easy, but joining a business that genuinely cares about its people makes a world of difference. QCS has a true “one team” ethos, creating an environment where new starters feel supported, valued and trusted from day one.

This is a company that sees you as an individual, not just a number and actively invests in your development. Your first six months give you a realistic, positive insight into what your career at QCS can look like long‑term. You’re surrounded by hardworking, knowledgeable individuals who are happy to share advice and who truly lead by example.

QCS’s processes are refreshingly different to many other recruitment businesses and they consistently go above and beyond to support new starters, setting you up not just to survive in recruitment, but to genuinely thrive.

Why recruitment should be your next career move

Working as a Delivery Executive is incredibly rewarding for people who enjoy working with others, learning fast and seeing the results of their effort first hand. It’s a role where no two days are the same, confidence grows quickly and success is measured not just in results, but in the relationships built along the way.

At QCS Staffing, we support our Delivery Executives from day one with award‑winning training, clear progression routes and a genuine commitment to personal development, because investing in people sits at the heart of what we do. We’ve built a friendly, inclusive “one team” culture, brought to life through regular socials, charity events and team celebrations that make work enjoyable as well as rewarding. With hybrid working, early Friday finishes, paid parking, private healthcare, a pension plan and enhanced maternity and paternity pay, we offer a career that supports both professional ambition and life outside of work. For those looking to grow, feel supported and build a long‑term career, we believe recruitment offers a brilliant next step.

We’ve also launched a brand‑new careers website dedicated entirely to internal roles at QCS Staffing. Whether you’re looking to start a career in recruitment or want to explore other opportunities across the business, it’s the perfect place to see what’s available. We also offer a £1,000 referral fee, so if you know someone who’d be a great fit, it’s worth sharing. Take a look at our careers site today to see our live roles!