Meet the team: Hazel Whittaker, founder, curio
MEET THE CURIO TEAM: HAZEL
Hazel is the Founder of Curio Careers. She tells about why she set up Curio, her favourite part of her job, her most memorable success, and her advice for clients and candidates in the current market.
Why did you set up Curio Careers?
Curio was set up to have a positive voice in how I/we affect the wider architectural industry in a positive way. I kept hearing a lot of 'there are not enough women in leadership positions' from industry leaders and wanted to set out to change that which has then moved into the wider EDI space. I also wanted to work with clients who truly care about their teams, career development and focused on the wider soft skills and not just 'revit' as a requirement. Curio strives to move away from a 'bum on seat' agency and one where we find the perfect match - as perfect can be, working as a partner to our clients and as a guide for the candidates we work with. I genuinely care about the day-to-day working life of the talent we work with and wanted a service that was focused and had care. I've loved to see our clients grow across regions, seeing our candidates be spread their wings and happy in their work.
What’s your favourite part of your job?
No day is ever the same. I never know who I’m going to meet/speak to and I love working with incredibly talented people to secure them the right role, and working with great clients to get them the right talent. I love working with challenging, hard, tricky and unusual roles and love that each individual is unique, each role is unique. Sometimes this is not always strategic; it could be looking out for future leaders to start them on the career for directorship. I've loved to see our clients grow across regions, seeing our candidates spread their wings and be happy in their work.
What’s your most memorable success in finding the perfect match for a client?
Each one is a success and there are many, but perhaps a super memorable one is having a very loose brief of 'find us a superstar'. This was very early in my career and that 'superstar' started as an associate in a global studio and shortly afterwards was up leading a sector and winning a £1mill fee for that client after only 6 months in the studio because of his skills in his specialist area. We often get briefs from clients to find the impossible which is a challenge I welcome!
What do you enjoy most about helping clients find their ideal candidates?
I see our client as partners, I enjoy the fact-finding part of the brief, the vision, where they are now and where they want to get to. I like to understand what gaps they may have the team and where this may need strengthening and what those skill may be. It's to also understand the culture, how they work and design approach and anything else that is unique to them. I enjoy not fully knowing who this person could be, although sometimes we do know through our network, it’s when the journey becomes the enjoyment.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give someone starting in this field?
Listen - I was lucky to start in a great firm which gave me the foundations to start. You’ll carve your niche and find your style of how you work. I don't think anyone plans to work in recruitment, you always fall into it randomly. The industry has grown up over the years. Focus on doing right by clients and candidates and resilience - in bucket fulls.
Do you have any funny or happy moments you’d like to share?
Happy moments - so many! Seeing clients and candidates get married, go to their weddings, have babies - I've become a witness to their professional and personal lives! I've seen architects set up their own businesses, move countries, learn new languages and spread their wings. Clients and candidates have become very close friends - the funny moments are under lock and key! I also love working with organisations like Women in Architecture, being a mentor and giving back to the industry.
Why do hiring managers and candidates like working with you?
Hiring managers and candidates like working with us because we listen - it’s about them, we put them first and have their best interests at heart. We are head-hunters and therefore not saleswomen. We become an extension of the studio/practice or company we are working with. I'm direct, transparent and honest in the process. My days are spent listening, guiding and enabling. I'm also good at managing out stress/drama and the have a process that can appear effortless, that requires a huge amount of focus and effort from us. I also think we've become known for adding value to practices and we are relentless in finding the best match.
Do you have any advice for hiring managers in the current market?
Spending time on clarifying what the team requires with both soft and hard skills, identifying the gaps in your team and what would strengthen it. Candidates find a written job description useful, we can either do this from a full brief for this which is signed off by clients or writing a JD themselves. Being clear on software requirements, the projects and stages that candidates will be working on. Transparency is key - candidates want to know about projects and their career in a studio/practice. Putting together a PDF of your benefits is really useful too. Candidates have become more demanding and therefore will be interviewing practices as much as clients are interviewing them.
Do you have any advice for candidates in the current market?
Taking the time to really think about their strengths, what they enjoy doing in those moments where they shine. Each candidate is unique and has uniquely different wants and needs in their careers. We suggest allowing themselves 3-6 months for a process. We also suggest they think about practicalities, travel to and from an office. Candidates should also be prepared for interviews, having done their research on the clients, think about how you show up for yourself and your work and to not be late for interviews!
If you need help to find THE candidate for your practice or your ideal next role, get in touch with Hazel on hazel@curiocareers.com