Employee case study:
Harry Rigby

What was it about Sellick Partnership that convinced you to take a role here?

After speaking with Simon, Claire and Josh during the interview process, I felt really reassured that Sellick Partnership was the right place to start my career in recruitment. What stood out most to me was the level of support and training offered – this was especially important as this was my first recruitment role.

I was also really impressed by the company culture and benefits. Things like the weekly wellbeing lunches, team-building events, private healthcare and the fact that we’re recognised as a Great Place to Work all showed me that Sellick Partnership genuinely cares about its people.

The Housing sector also felt like a natural fit. I’d previously worked alongside a plumber doing hands-on labour, so I already had a basic understanding of the trades and how the sector operates. Alongside my trade experience, I had done some work within a marketing and sales capacity... believe it or not, I helped my brother run a snake breeding business. This meant I was comfortable speaking to different types of people and building relationships.

After finishing my Business Studies degree, I wasn’t keen on going down the traditional graduate scheme route. I looked at different options, and recruitment ticked all the boxes: clear progression, the ability to build something for yourself, and the chance to be rewarded for your hard work. Sellick Partnership felt like the right environment to do that.

What are the best things about your role? And the most challenging aspect? 

The best part of my role is that no two days are ever the same. It’s fast-paced, rewarding, and there’s a real sense of achievement when you help someone secure a role that’s perfect for them. Helping people find their next opportunity – especially when you know it’s going to make a real difference to their life – makes all the hard work worth it.

The biggest challenge has definitely been learning about the housing and property services market, especially as I came into recruitment with no prior experience in it. There’s a lot to get your head around quickly, and it takes time to really understand what both clients and candidates need.

It’s also a role that requires a lot of resilience – you can put time into a process that doesn’t always go the way you’d hoped. But learning how to bounce back and keep pushing forward has been a massive part of my development.

What support and training have you been given?  

The training and support from day one has been brilliant. As someone who came into the role without a background in recruitment, I found the structured training especially valuable. The Module 1 and 2 training sessions in Manchester gave me a strong foundation and a clear understanding of how recruitment works, not just in general, but the way we do things at Sellick Partnership – which is very values-driven and people-focused.

On top of the formal training, the on-the-desk support has been just as important. I’ve had constant guidance from my manager and colleagues, who are always willing to share their knowledge and experience. That’s one of the best things about the team – everyone is genuinely invested in each other’s development, and there’s always someone around to bounce ideas off or ask for advice.

Because recruitment is always changing, ongoing development is a big focus here. Whether it’s refreshing the basics, staying up to date with market trends, or tackling more complex situations, I feel like I’m always learning.

We’re a very collaborative team too – we share insight on clients and candidates regularly, which means I’ve not only developed my own desk, but also learned a lot about the wider market and how we can support each other to achieve the best outcomes.

Do you remember placing your first candidate and how did that feel?

The first candidate that I placed was for my colleague Nyari, it was a Plasterer based in the North East, and it felt like a big win when he accepted the role. It gave me a real sense of achievement, especially knowing I had directly contributed to helping someone secure a job. Since then, I’ve assisted with placing more senior candidates into roles at a local council, which has helped me build even more confidence in my ability.

The transition from Resourcing Consultant to Recruitment Consultant has been a big step, but starting in resourcing really set me up well. It gave me a solid understanding of the candidate side, which is essential before moving into business development.

With the housing sector, there are so many different roles and sub-sectors – it’s not always straightforward – so having that initial grounding was massively beneficial.

Outside of your job, what else do you enjoy about Sellick Partnership? 

The culture and friendships are a huge part of what makes Sellick Partnership a great place to work. I’ve made some really close friends here, which makes coming into work every day really enjoyable.

I also love the social side of things – whether it’s taking part in football tournaments or attending office and company-wide events, there’s always something going on. It makes the environment feel more relaxed, inclusive, and fun!

What advice would you give to someone considering a career at Sellick Partnership?

I would say, if you’re going to do it, fully commit – there’s no point in doing it half-heartedly. Give it 100% from day one. Recruitment can be tough, especially at the start, but if you stick with it and put the effort in, it’s incredibly rewarding.

Sellick Partnership is a great place to learn and grow, and there’s always someone around to support you. Everyone really wants each other to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask questions or lean on your team. The hard work does pay off – it might take time, but it all comes back around in the end.

What lessons have you learned from your journey that you’d share with others looking to progress their careers?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is the importance of resilience. Recruitment is a fast-paced, challenging environment where things don’t always go to plan – roles can get pulled, candidates can change their minds or are counteroffered, and clients can shift their requirements at the last minute. It’s easy to feel disheartened, especially early on, but I’ve learned not to take it personally. A ‘no’ today doesn’t mean a ‘no’ forever – things sometimes just don’t work out how you want or expect them to.

Every experience, even the tough ones (especially those), has helped me grow and improve. I’ve become more confident in my ability to bounce back, and I now understand how important it is to keep going, stay consistent, and always be willing to learn from each situation.