Having spent almost three years in finance after university, Helen decided to make a move into the world of recruitment. She wanted to draw on her direct experience of internal audit to recruit into ​finance, and found that Oliver James provided the perfect platform as a specialist in this market. After joining, her knowledge of the financial services sector broadened thanks to exposure to our niche finance specialisms. Helen has now been with the business for just over a year and couldn't be happier making the most of a career path rich in opportunity and progression

"Following a full-time rugby career in Australia, France, and Hong Kong, I joined OJ's New York office in 2015 as an Associate Consultant. I had no recruitment experience, and it was very early days for the New York office as I was one of their first recruits. Since joining, I have been promoted 5 times, progressing from Associate Consultant to my current position as Vice President, and the New York office is bigger than ever and still growing!

The team in New York are all exceptional - everyone is so likeminded and wants each other to succeed and achieve better. We all genuinely care about our work, it's a really enjoyable and positive environment to be in.

Recruitment can be hard work, but OJ will help to develop your knowledge and provide the support and opportunities to succeed - how well you do is all down to you! Your career can truly be fast tracked at OJ. There is no climbing the hierarchy, you just need to have the right attitude, work ethic and ambition".

"I joined OJ Manchester in 2014 as an Associate Consultant with no prior recruitment experience. After 6 months, the opportunity came up to relocate to the US to help OJ set up and build their New York office.

During my time in New York, I finished first on the global leader board and by 2017, had worked my way up to Associate Director. In 2018, I moved back to OJ’s Manchester office, and in 2020 made the move over to OJ’s Legal division Astral, to help build and grow the business.

Within 6 months, Astral doubled in size, and in February 2021, I was promoted to Divisional Director and currently lead the Commercial IP and Technology team, alongside running Astral’s UK and European business.

OJ is an incredibly entrepreneurial business, if you are hard-working, ambitious, and commercially minded, you will always be backed and believed in. In 7years, I have transitioned from an Associate Consultant, with no recruitment experience, to a Divisional Director.

OJ presents a platform where you have the personal, professional, and emotional support to achieve your career goals. Socially, it is excellent too, the people are the best in the industry, and I have made some of my closest friends here.

OJ understands that if you are happy, driven and motivated in your role, you are going to enjoy your work and perform to the best of your ability. Everyone is genuinely invested in your personal development and you are surrounded by people who want you to succeed. All you need to do is bring the work ethic, drive, and ambition, and deliver – the rest comes with grabbing the opportunity and running with it".

At 21, Ben came to Oliver James with a degree in Geography and Geology, and some basic direct sales experience. He wasn’t to know his journey would be one of the company’s most successful, leading to five desks under his watch and three consecutive awards for the ‘Year’s Highest Billing Consultant’, as well as him breaking the company’s 12-month billing record of £1.07 million – a feat he achieved in 2016. “I like to help the people in my teams, supporting them through each stage of the recruitment process so they can become repeat billers.” Culturally, Ben views Oliver James as “work hard play hard, while still being caring. You get all the help you need because the management wants to ensure everyone has the resources to thrive.”

Sarah joined Oliver James Associates Manchester in 2012. She was previously on the Marks & Spencer graduate scheme, managing a team of 35 in-store. Why recruitment? “I actually ran into an old friend, who introduced me to Jimmy, Group Managing Director of Oliver James. It was then that I felt inspired to switch career paths and apply for a recruitment position. I’ve never looked back; the opportunities here have been truly incredible. When you hit the targets, see your name on the leader board and experience the financial rewards, it’s amazing.” 

Victoria joined Oliver James in 2004 from S3 Group, a global recruitment agency that was also home to none other than Oliver James co-founder and Group Managing Director, James Rogers. There, Victoria was a top biller for the Progressive brand, recruiting in the IT industry. Today, Victoria heads up a small desk that places KPMG and Deloitte’s most senior positions, a role exclusive to her. “I understand these companies implicitly, recruiting executive level candidates with the aid of decision makers I’ve known for years.” She intends to spend at least the next five years at Oliver James. “One of the things I love most about my job is the relationships I get to build. Over the last couple of years, I’ve really enjoyed training and developing the other consultants. Anybody who’s thinking of applying to Oliver James, don’t hesitate. Be prepared to work hard, with the promise of exceptional remuneration for your efforts.”