Career switch success stories: from accountancy to recruitment

In today’s fast-paced work environment, career paths are rarely linear. Stela’s story is a perfect example of embracing change and pursuing new passions. Starting her professional journey as an accountant in Bulgaria, Stela made a bold move that took her from the world of numbers to a thriving career in recruitment in the Netherlands. Her journey shows how transferable skills, personal intuition, and the courage to make a change can lead to a successful new career path.

A strong start in accountancy

A natural number cruncher, Stela started her career as an accountant in a Bulgarian accounting firm. For over two years, she thrived on balancing accounts and managing finances. But her ambitions soon extended beyond the world of ledgers and spreadsheets.

An exciting opportunity presented itself when she was offered the chance to set up a new department as a European Projects Consultant. This new role allowed her to combine her financial skills with a broader business development focus. Stela found herself managing over 20 client accounts, helping them apply for funding from various European government agencies. “It was a perfect combination of numbers and business, and I had the opportunity to interact directly with clients, which I enjoyed.”

Jumping in with both feet

Although Stela loved her job, life took a turn when she decided to move to the Netherlands to be with her long-distance boyfriend (now husband). Just a day after uploading her CV on Monsterboard, she received a call from Jos, the Managing Partner at IQ Staffing, who saw potential in her despite her lack of recruitment experience. Without even exploring other job options, Stela decided to trust her instincts and go for it. “Back in 2021, IQ Staffing was still in its start-up phase,” she explains. ‘’Joining at such an early stage felt like an adventure. I love building relationships and sales, and I could see how recruitment could be a good fit.”

Working in an international environment

Excited as she was, Stela did face challenges in her first few months, the most daunting of which was speaking English at work. “I remember sitting outside the office on my first day, too nervous to go in,” she recalls. Coming from Bulgaria, conducting business in a foreign language felt intimidating.

Fortunately, IQ Staffing’s multicultural team quickly put her at ease. And in the months that followed, the team welcomed many more expat colleagues. “Our different backgrounds made it easier to connect and help each other settle in. We understand what it is like to be new in a foreign country, so we are good at making others feel at home.”

In her first year, Stela played a key role in relocating professionals from all over the world, including Argentina, Brazil and Italy. “Working with people from so many different cultures has really broadened my world,” she adds.

Transferable skills

Although recruitment was a completely new field for Stela, she soon realized that many of her acquired skills were transferable. “Moving from accounting to consulting had already shown me that I’m adaptable,” she says. In her previous roles, she had worked with clients from a variety of industries and backgrounds, building relationships and managing accounts. These skills transferred seamlessly to her role as a recruiter.

With the help of an intensive three-month training program by her senior colleagues, Stela quickly found her way in recruitment. “The great thing about the training was that it combined theory and practice from day one. I was already talking to candidates on my second day, which helped me to learn quickly.’’

In her first year, Stela played a key role in relocating professionals from all over the world, including Argentina, Brazil and Italy.

Finding her superpower

Stela discovered that working at IQ Staffing allowed her to tap into her unique strengths. “I learned that building relationships is my superpower. I love chatting with people, making them feel comfortable, and really listening to understand their needs.” Her ability to connect with people on a personal level became a key asset in her success as a recruiter.

Another aspect of recruitment that suited Stela perfectly was the goal-oriented nature of the job. “Both promotions and compensation are performance-based, which motivates me,” she says. “I know exactly what targets I need to hit to achieve my goals, and that clarity keeps me focused.”

Considering a career switch?

Reflecting on her journey, Stela has some advice for those considering a career change: “Trust your intuition and take the plunge. You don’t need to have all the answers on beforehand – you learn this job by doing.”

For anyone curious about recruitment, Stela recommends talking to someone already in the industry to get a better understanding of the role. “If you’re thinking about making the move, don’t hesitate to get in touch with me or any of my colleagues. We’re always happy to share our experiences.’’

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