Being from the UK, living in Australia wasn’t even on my radar until a friend of mine suggested it when I mentioned I was planning travelling around Southeast Asia. I was so excited by the idea! I thought of hot sunny beach days and endless BBQs… Of course, my time here didn’t particularly look like this, as I decided to move to Melbourne which resembled home a lot more than my idea of Australia.
Despite the inconsistent weather, Melbourne consistently ranks as one of the best cities in the world to live in, and after living here for the past 11 months, I can confirm it has to be one of the greatest. From the cheap and reliable public transport to the diverse community and culture, vibrant city nightlife, beautiful green spaces like my personal favourite, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and an incredible (and affordable) food scene, Melbourne is an exceptional place to call home.
I came across the Administration role on SEEK — just as many of our candidates do — which gave me a genuine, first-hand view of the entire candidate experience. I was contacted promptly, kept informed at every stage, and prepared for interview by Greg, who is now my colleague. Going through the process myself before joining the team helped me appreciate the level of communication and care that sits behind even the earliest touchpoints in recruitment.
While Melbourne itself impressed me quickly, navigating a new job market on a visa with working restrictions was a very different challenge, and starting a new job in a new country felt daunting.
Walking into Slade Group on my first day, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had never worked in the recruitment industry before, but the team quickly put me at ease. I imagined the role would be quite structured — mostly desk-based tasks, answering phones and supporting the day-to-day administration. What I discovered instead was a dynamic, fast-paced environment with far more variety than I expected.
Some days I’d be out in the CBD running errands or helping coordinate a photo opportunity for the team; on others I’d be supporting workshops, contributing to assessment centres, greeting clients and candidates, or working across our three brands to understand how best to support their needs. The breadth of the role surprised me in the best way — no two days ever looked the same.
One of the biggest positives of joining Slade Group has been experiencing Aussie workplace culture first-hand. Coming from the UK, where workplaces can at times feel more formal and structured, I noticed immediately how open, collaborative and genuinely supportive the environment is here. People look out for one another, share their knowledge freely, and step in without hesitation when someone needs a hand.
The culture isn’t accidental either; it shows up in the committees that organise events that bring everyone together. Like the Drag Bingo night (organised by the Social Committee), and RUOK? Day (Corporate Social Responsibility Committee) and a delicious potluck lunch (special mention to Sandra’s BBQ ribs). You can see this culture show up in the way the team celebrates wins, and the pride people take in their work.
Those moments perfectly reflect Slade Group’s values of Motived, Genuine, Respectful and Pride. Supportive workplaces can be hard to come by, but here it’s been my everyday experience — even down to the little things – like my colleague Tony taking the time to make my first Milo with the crunchy bits on top (the proper way).
From the operations side, I’ve been able to see the inner workings of Slade Group in a way candidates and clients rarely do. There are so many moving parts and people behind each placement, everything from consultant preparation to the marketing strategies that differ across brands. Watching each brand operate has given me an appreciation for how tailored our approach is. Interchange Bench delivers the speed and responsiveness temp recruitment demands. Synchro Partners brings technical market knowledge that’s essential in IT. Slade Executive provides the depth and care required for professional and executive roles.
From the operations side, I’ve been able to see the inner workings of Slade Group in a way candidates and clients rarely do. There are many moving parts behind each placement, from consultant preparation to the marketing strategies tailored across our three brands. Interchange Bench delivers the speed temp recruitment demands, Synchro Partners brings essential technical market knowledge, and Slade Executive provides the depth required for professional and executive roles.
Seeing this coordination has also highlighted how critical compliance is. It protects data, builds trust, supports diversity and inclusion, and keeps our many concurrent assignments running smoothly. Our Shared Services team is the engine room—managing finance, operations, payroll, accounts and the marketing that keeps each brand visible and connected.
Understanding the inner workings of recruitment has shown me just how much goes into delivering a seamless experience. Behind every shortlist sits collaboration between branding, compliance, technology, market research and consultant expertise. When clients see a polished process, it’s because dozens of steps have already been taken to reduce hiring risk and ensure the right people walk through their door.
Coming into this industry with no prior experience, I wasn’t always confident. But being part of a team that values support, learning and trust has changed that. I’ve grown and found my footing. As my time at Slade Group comes to an end and I prepare to move on to my next chapter, I’m grateful for everything I’ve learned here. Working at Slade Group has taught me that great recruitment is built on collaboration, detail and genuine care — and that believing in yourself matters just as much. I’m lucky to have had this experience and proud to support a team that works so hard to bring the right people and workplaces together.