Cameron De Wit was named Global Recruiter magazine’s Temporary Recruitment Consultant of the Year in November 2022. Cameron joined Carrington West as a Consultant in our town planning team in 2019, before being successfully promoted through the ranks to his current position as Lead Consultant.  

Cameron’s story is not uncommon in the world of recruitment. Few people set out to become recruitment consultants, but once they do, they find a world of opportunity opens up to them quickly.  

“Like most people, I didn’t plan to have a career in recruitment. Before I joined Carrington West I worked in sales in the gym and fitness industry. I felt like it wasn’t going anywhere and that I was at a bit of a dead end. I had a friend in the recruitment and decided that I it was something I would enjoy.” 

Cameron was obviously a natural recruiter! After four years in the industry, his personal motivation to be rewarded financially has remained the same, but he also has developed a passion for the work.  

“We’re in demand as a team, clients and candidates come to us for advice and support. I have a real drive to support my clients which motivates me. The financial front motivates me as well, seeing results of what I put in each and every day makes it worth it.” Cameron goes on to say that he could not have reached his goals, or won a national award, without the help and support of his colleagues; 

“My favourite thing about working for Carrington West is the atmosphere, environment and culture, everyone here helps to push you, both professionally and outside of work. There’s a big focus on what you want to get out of work as an individual, and to ultimately benefit your personal life.” 

When asked about the highlights of his recruitment career so far, he looks back to when he first started out.  

“A highlight of my time here at Carrington West was towards the start of my career. It was my first promotion, I had put in a lot of work and time here, so it was really rewarding and reassuring to know that I was doing a good job. It just consolidated that I did make the right choice by changing my career.”  

Cameron won the Global Recruiter award in late 2022, off the back of one of the most challenging two years the recruitment industry has ever seen. Carrington West fared well, using national lockdowns to focus on learning and development as well as wellbeing. By mid-2021, our teams were more resilient, better trained and highly motivated to achieve their goals. Cameron is an example of a consultant that hit the ground running and took maximum advantage of the post pandemic job vacancy boom.  

“Winning a nationally recognised award was validating. I felt like the amount of effort that I’ve put in has paid off and I’ve been recognised for it. The support that the team has given me to get to that point has made me realise that I do things right and that I am good at my job. It’s given me the reassurance to carry on with what I’m doing.” 

When not attending award ceremonies, Cameron’s day to day life in recruitment is about problem solving and staying up to date with everything that is happening in his market,  

“A huge challenge for me is that it’s never the same, with the changing and growing market. There are so many things that come unexpectedly, not just COVID, things like cuts within the public sector, which makes it challenging. There’s never a dull day, you have to be able to adapt and not always have a routine.” He goes on to speak about being encouraged by his team to tackle some of his more personal challenges.  

“I struggle with public speaking and presentations, so that’s something that I would like to improve on. I’m not a fan of big crowds, but I think it’s important to get out of your comfort zone in order to see the improvement. My team, and especially leader, Simon Gardiner, are really supportive, so my first steps to improvement would be to speak in front of them more.” 

Finally, Cameron offers his advice to anyone joining the industry, or thinking of applying for a role with Carrington West,  

“Anyone looking or starting a career in recruitment, I think it’s important to understand that you get out what you put in. It’s a lot of hard work, long hours and dealing with people, which can be difficult at times. But you should be eager and willing to learn, if you put the effort in, you’ll see good results.”