Throughout her 20-year career in recruitment at PN Personnel Cushla estimates she has had the pleasure of offering over 20,000 temporary or permanent job seekers a new role, consulted with over 10,000 Clients and reviewed over 50,000 CVs.

Originally employed as a Temporary Recruitment Consultant, Cushla was encouraged to expand her recruitment skills in permanent recruitment.

“I liked the fast-pace of recruiting in the temporary space and permanent recruitment requires a different skill set. But I found I love recruiting permanent roles. There’s more depth and more time to really connect with your Clients’, their organisation and the applicants involved in the process. When you slow everything down you develop a deeper and more trusting relationship.”

In 2018 Cushla took the next opportunity to take on the role of Recruitment Manager becoming a valued member of the Leadership Team.

Cushla credits her success to the positive influence of our Directors Claire Hewson and Debbie Chambers. “They have an amazing ability to mentor, train and coach. They empowered and assisted my career development to where I am today.”

Cushla believes recruiting in the Manawatu is unique. “As regional recruiters we are able to visit workplaces, have face-to-face meetings with Clients and Job Seekers and develop long-lasting relationships.”

“Manawatu is the home to many small-medium businesses who have a passion for their region and community. I share this passion, there is so much on offer for both business and lifestyle.” 

Along with a wide variety of businesses, the Manawatu region is home to a range of educational facilities, government departments and healthcare providers. There is a strong agricultural community, trades and manufacturing, plus exceptional hospitality and a reputation for innovation.

Reflecting on her early days in the office Cushla laughs as she recalls the lack of technology available at the time. 

“There was no cloud based systems, everything was paper-based, we used to read the newspaper for jobs, and timesheets were all faxed through. It was before smartphones, so you would call someone either at home or at their current workplace. It was extremely hard to connect with people in a timely manner.

As technology developed PN Personnel invested in a cloud based 360 recruitment management system which allowed us to manage jobs, candidates, clients, job portals, payroll, schedules more efficiently than ever before.”

Cushla adds video interviewing has allowed the team to connect with a wider range of job seekers and utilising social media has improved the reach for and sourcing talent.

Two main challenges over the past 20 years were the Global Recession of 2008/2009 and in 2020 the Covid pandemic. In both instances Cushla says the reputation and relationships built by PN Personnel allowed them to successfully navigate their way through this difficult period.

Cushla cringes and laughs when asked her most memorable moment. Sheepishly she admits when she had a small accident in the work vehicle.

“We’d just brought our brand new RAVs for work. I was going to deliver a cake, and when I moved my seat back I took my foot off the brake and the car accelerated into the wall of the florist next door. It made an awful bang!  The front of the vehicle was damaged and the impact made a hole in the wall. No-one was injured, except for my pride. I was even more mortified because Claire and Debbie were in the office upstairs so they saw the whole accident unfold out of the window!”

Along with PN Personnel’s directors Cushla credits the wider team, both past and present to her success. “I’m so lucky to have worked with amazing people over my 20 years. If that’s you, know you have made a positive impact on me and for that I thank you.”

If you are considering a career in recruitment Cushla recommends you give it a go.

“If you are a self-starter, enjoy the challenge of securing new business and developing existing relationships, can build rapport, earn trust, problem solve and have developed communication and influencing skills these foundations will set you up well. 

You’ll also need passion, energy, be results driven and have loads of resilience. It’s so diverse, extremely rewarding and no two days are the same.”

For guidance with your next recruit, or your next career move feel free to reach out to Cushla and tap into Cushla’s 20 years of recruiting experience.