Onrec: How did you get started in recruitment and how did the idea of WMJobs surface?
CH: I started working in recruitment completely accidentally whilst at university. While working part-time in catering, I found myself naturally drawn to the staffing and people management side of the business. My manager noticed my interest and asked me to assist with interviews for an open day, and that’s when I discovered my passion for recruitment, the rest is history!
Our current Chief Executive, Rebecca Davis, actually worked on the development of the project and business case in 2006 for what became ‘WMJobs’. The primary aim was to support councils in the West Midlands significantly reduce recruitment advertising costs, and this mission remains central to what we do today.
Onrec: The recruitment market is very inflated. What makes you different from your competitors?
CH: We differentiate ourselves from our competitors through our strong vision and deep-rooted values. West Midlands Employers, who deliver WMJobs, is committed to building a diverse and resilient public sector workforce and champion the West Midlands as a thriving place to live and work. WMJobs is one of our ways to do this. We offer public sector employers in our region incredibly cost-effective ways to advertise their roles and attract the best talent.
Our small but experienced team that delivers WMJobs have all worked within public sector recruitment teams, so we fully understand the challenges and nuances within the sector. This allows us to provide tailored, cost-effective solutions, and to foster close relationships with our subscribing organisations through initiatives like networking events at our Birmingham office.
Onrec: What do you think will be the next big thing in online recruitment?
CH: AI will play a major role in shaping online recruitment moving forward. As an organisation we’re proactively exploring ways to integrate AI responsibly into our offerings, ensuring that it enhances rather than replaces the human touch in the hiring process. The key challenge will be balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations around fairness and transparency.
Onrec: Biggest challenges we face in 2025?
CH: One of our biggest challenges in 2025 will be raising the profile of careers in local government amongst a new audience, especially the younger generation. We’re always competing against private companies for the best talent, which is tricky when our salaries are often lower, making it harder to attract top talent. Careers in local government and the wider public sector offer huge amounts of opportunity and can be highly rewarding in terms of career development and making a difference in communities.
Onrec: How many people do you employ globally?
CH: We are a small team –West Midlands Employers’ headcount is around 30 people, and we’re based in Birmingham, UK.
Onrec: Do you have any other plans to expand? And if so, where?
CH: We don’t have major expansion plans at the moment, but we have experienced steady growth over the past few years.
Onrec: What is one piece of advice you would give your younger self?
CH: Always be open to opportunities – try not to have a fixed idea of job titles or organisations you’d like to work at in the future. Although I’ve worked in recruitment since I was 20, the role and industry I am in now could not be more different to where I started.
Onrec: What do you enjoy outside of work?
CH: Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my family, especially my husband and our young daughter. Getting out in the fresh air is my happy place. I enjoy running and have completed a few half marathons.
Onrec: What is your career high?
CH: Launching our regional local government campaign in January 2024 was a high. It’s something that sounds simple but gaining buy-in and coordinating a project that involves over 30 organisation was a complicated task that required careful planning, negotiation and perseverance. Bringing together so many different stakeholders, each with their own priorities, was a real challenge. However, through consistent communication and fostering a collaborative approach, we successfully aligned everyone toward a shared vision. The campaign was also very successful in raising the profile of local government careers in the West Midlands and delivered great ROI for the region. Seeing the positive impact on recruitment and helping local councils attract top talent made all the hard work worthwhile.
Mini Q&A
Onrec: If you were stuck on a deserted island, what 3 things would you take with you?
My husband, daughter and my phone (assuming I could somehow charge it)
Onrec: If you could compare yourself with any animal, which would it be and why?
I never know what to say to this question, so I asked ChatGPT, which suggested I was a dolphin – “Dolphins are known for their resourcefulness, social nature, and adaptability. They live in tight-knit groups but also enjoy a degree of independence. They're playful, creative problem-solvers, and have a balance of both calm and energy.”