Navigating a career in recruitment: Q&A with Rayhaneh Tehrani

Finding the right company can be a game-changer for any career, providing a platform where you can grow, learn, and achieve your full potential. For Rayhaneh Tehrani, her journey at Sellick Partnership exemplifies this ideal.

Recently promoted to Associate Director, Rayhaneh started her career as a Resourcing Consultant and quickly discovered that Sellick Partnership was the perfect place for her professional development. Her inspiring journey highlights the importance of being in an environment that nurtures talent, respects ideas, and fosters continuous growth.

In this Q&A, Rayhaneh shares her experiences, insights on the diverse career paths available at Sellick Partnership, and the lessons learned along the way, demonstrating how finding the right company can pave the way for remarkable success.

How did you get into recruitment?

I studied Law and Politics at university, and then followed that with a master's. I had done some work to gain experience in the legal field, but I wanted more people interaction, and something with more progression opportunities.

An acquaintance was a Lawyer turned Recruiter and they mentioned it to me as a good career path. I didn’t know that much about recruitment if I’m completely honest at that point, so I did some research, spoke to some recruiters, and then applied to Sellick Partnership. 14 years later and here we are!

What drew you to Sellick Partnership? 

I loved that I’d be based in Manchester city centre, and I liked that the team recruited within the legal market specifically, because I already understood the legal world. Despite having some market knowledge in the legal sense, when it came to the technicalities of recruitment, I was very much learning on the job. My manager at the time taught me so much, as well as my director, and more experienced colleagues gave me advice every single day which really helped me hone my skills.  

Why did you stay in recruitment? Was that always the plan?

Like many people, I hadn’t really thought about recruitment, nor did I know that much about it. However, once I joined Sellick Partnership, my perspective completely changed.

When you find a company that genuinely cares for its employees and offers substantial progression opportunities then that can make all the difference. That’s what happened to me and many of my peers, and I soon realised I could stay for a really long time knowing I could grow and develop a career here. 

At Sellick Partnership, I found a supportive, varied, and dynamic environment where I could thrive. The continuous professional development, the collaborative culture, and the chance to make a real impact on people's lives were incredibly fulfilling.

Did you always want to work your way up? 

No one really wants to be stagnant doing the same job, I’ve always been quite ambitious, and wanted to progress and develop. I’ve always been driven by the desire to challenge myself, so in that sense, yes, I always wanted to work my way up.

At Sellick Partnership, there are so many different routes for progression that you really are in control of what you do and where you go. For example, you don’t need to go down the people management route if you don’t want to, you can take a different approach and go into business development. It really is so varied.

Each new role of mine certainly brought its own set of challenges and learning opportunities, but this didn’t quash my desire for development. So, while my initial focus was on mastering my current role, the potential for growth within the company definitely motivated me to progress.

I think my progression, and other promotions, have shown that you can start with zero experience, and as long as you work hard and have a strong work ethic, there are opportunities to progress. 

What elements of your new role excite you?

There are several elements that really excite me. One is my involvement with the Wellbeing Team, ensuring that our employees are happy, healthy, and supported is a top priority for me.

Another exciting opportunity is the possibility of expanding our Legal London team. I’m looking forward to driving growth in this area, building on our strong foundation, and exploring new avenues to enhance our presence in the legal recruitment market. 

Not to mention, I’m thrilled about the prospect of getting more involved in strategy and participating in board-level decisions. Being part of the strategic planning process allows me to contribute to the broader vision and direction of the company. It’s a unique opportunity to influence key decisions and help shape the future of Sellick Partnership.

You’re part of the Wellbeing Team, how did you become involved? Why did you join the committee?

My involvement with the Wellbeing Team began from a genuine interest in the topic, especially as it is discussed more and more around the business world.

I wanted to get more involved in the wider business and with wellbeing such an important focus, it seemed like the perfect group to be a part of. I wanted to contribute to creating initiatives and programmes that support our team members in managing stress and maintaining a positive workplace culture.

Being part of this team allows me to advocate for resources and activities that can significantly improve our colleagues' daily experiences and overall quality of life. I’ve also been able to bring these conversations to both clients and candidates.

What are your plans for the Wellbeing Team generally? 

We are really keen on growing the Wellbeing Team, and by doing this, we can generate a wider range of ideas and perspectives, ensuring that our wellbeing initiatives resonate with everyone in the company. As with all such teams, it is a learning experience, and we can improve and expand further over time. 

Additionally, we’re committed to implementing best practices and continually refining our approach based on feedback and outcomes. By assessing the effectiveness of our programmes and making adjustments, we can ensure that our wellbeing strategies are both effective and sustainable.

It would be great to continue extending our support to pass on knowledge to clients as well, equipping them with resources and materials to benefit from. The wellbeing of our candidates is paramount, therefore we want to be able to continue to share best practices with clients.

Finally, do you have any advice you would like to pass on?

One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can offer is the importance of consistently showing up and putting in the effort. Regardless of your role or industry, being diligent and conscientious in your work ethic is essential. It not only demonstrates your commitment to your responsibilities but also builds trust and credibility among your colleagues, peers, and superiors.

Equally important is the art of listening actively and being receptive to feedback and advice. Throughout my career, I've found that listening attentively to what others are saying – whether it's constructive criticism, suggestions for improvement, or even different perspectives – has been instrumental. Embracing feedback with an open mind allows you to learn and evolve professionally, ultimately enhancing your skills and capabilities.

Also, don’t be afraid when things go wrong. None of us know the answers to everything, and sometimes we have to navigate really tough situations. As long as we can learn from our experiences, then we are allowing ourselves to grow and develop, despite any interruptions along the way.

Finally, don’t hesitate to seek out mentors or more experienced colleagues who can provide guidance. Learning from those who have navigated similar paths can offer invaluable insights. Their advice and mentorship can often illuminate new perspectives and opportunities that you might not have considered on your own.

Get in touch 

We are officially a Great Place to Work®, and the secret to our success is our people and our partnership with them. Our talented employees have been key to the growth and success of Sellick Partnership. 

Over the years we have grown to become a market-leading professional services recruitment specialist and to achieve our ambitious growth plans we want to strengthen our teams with the very best talent there is in the market. We recognise and celebrate that everybody is unique, with their own motivations and career aspirations, so whether you are considering your career options or have worked in recruitment for a number of years, we will have a career path for you.

We are always looking to partner with the most talented individuals to join our teams across all our offices. Apply below or contact Simon Briffa, Head of Talent Acquisition & Wellbeing, today for an informal discussion on 0161 834 1642.