Four years ago, I stepped into the whirlwind that is owing and building my own successful recruitment business.

Whilst I have over 20 years experience in recruitment, building, construction and property, little did I know that it would be a rollercoaster of uncertainty, lots of learning, lots of laughter, resilience, and a few moments that left me wondering, "Did I sign up for this?" but yes, I did, and I have not only survived, but am now thriving. I love my business, I love my team, and I love the people I work with.

As we celebrate this wild ride, let's take a humorous spin through the invaluable lessons – from dealing with quirks in the industry to embracing the challenges of being a woman entrepreneur.

Core Values and My ‘Why’

It has been enormously gratifying to work in a business that aligns with my values. LOL, yes I know, that’s because I set the values for the business and these are published on my website for more information.

That was why I wanted to start my own business – I needed to work in an environment that shared my values of honesty, integrity, diligence and service, giving me the ability to deploy quality team members to sites quickly. A team that was motivated, prepared and ready to enthusiastically contribute to projects at hand, more than being ‘just’ a pair of hands.

My team and I have a unique blend of old-school reliability, nouse and great relationships, blended with new-school thinking, technology, and systems. This unique and dynamic combination uses experience + a developed sense of instinct to deliver proven, consistent, and professional results matched to your needs without wasting your time.

In the midst of the growth and challenges, the bedrock of my journey has been the values that guide my every move. My values are not just buzzwords but the compass directing my path. I believe in fostering a workplace where every voice is heard, celebrating diversity, and upholding the highest ethical standards. I am proud of what I have achieved. But more importantly I am proud that the values I have set for my company have attracted like-minded people, who receive enormous benefit, but also enrich my life. I like making a positive difference in the world!

My commitment to transparency and honesty forms the cornerstone of client relationships and candidate interactions. In this whirlwind of recruitment antics, my values stand firm, grounding me and ensuring that every success is not just a triumph for the business but a testament to the principles that define everything that I do.



Recruitment is like juggling – but instead of balls, it's been resumes, personalities, and the occasional metaphorical circular saw. Sometimes, you’ve just got to cut someone loose! As a woman in business, I've become a master juggler, tossing CVs, expectations, success, and outcomes up in the air while managing to keep a smile on my face and employing an exceptional team to keep up with the growth and consistently deliver. Who knew recruitment could be a circus act and I could add that to my list of achievements.
 

Cracking the Code of Industry Lingo (Hint: It's Mostly Acronyms)

In the recruitment biz, we speak our own language – a mix of acronyms, buzzwords, and a touch of cryptic messages. Same goes for the construction industry. I’ve been around these traps for long enough and know the lingo, but busting these for candidates, employers and my own team has been a decoding exercise worthy of admission to MI6 I think. Clarity is King, or Queen (you choose) in my world.

And of course, the level of technology advancements in the last four years has been amazing, leading to even more acronyms and a need to move quickly and be highly adaptable. It has been both a scary and wild ride, but a really rewarding one and my support team are incredible.

Our team now distinguish that ‘FTC’ is fixed term contract, not ‘Find The Coffee!!!!!’, JD is ‘job description’ not ‘Jack Daniels’, ATS is ‘Applicant Tracking System’ not ‘All The Sarcasm’ and ‘HRIS’ is ‘Human Resources Information System’, not something women over 50 need to get supplements for. Although I do like the acronym SAAS – and no, I won’t adopt ‘software as a service’ for it, I’ll keep my own version of SAAS thank you!

It's been a journey of decoding industry lingo with a sprinkle of humour and a bucket load of clarity. Our systems we have implemented are state of the art, and I now mentor other recruiters and recruitment businesses in how to achieve success in their businesses.

The Glamorous Life of a Woman Entrepreneur: Coffee, Emails, Repeat, Retain, Red Carpets

If anyone ever thought being a woman in business was all glamour, think again. It's a life filled with endless cups of coffee, a perpetual influx of emails, and a unique dance with the printer that rivals any TikTok routine. The red carpet I have walked the most in the last four years is the one that leads to the café in my building, with the occasional diversion to the gym.

I simply could not have seen how well the business would grow and could not do it without my trusted team that I have attracted and retained. I’m pretty good at reading people and brilliant at putting together teams. My depth of understanding of other humans and my curiosity has been deeply satisfied with every interaction along the way (and yes, that’s why you should engage me).

Sometimes it is glamorous, especially at one of the industry gala events, but mostly to be honest, it is developing, overcoming and adjusting procedures as people, skills, times and legislation develop. Then I take the next step that I am truly committed to: educating! That includes myself, my team and the mentoring that I offer through my blogs, articles, and podcast “Talent Instinct”. I want success for myself, but I equally want a brighter future for all those I work with.

Dress for Success: Pyjamas were acceptable during Covid, Right?

One of the perks of running your own show is the dress code. We forgot all about power suits during Covid; it was all about the power of pyjamas in the home office. Being a woman in business during Covid means adopting the fashion-forward trend of 'business casual from the waist up’ that everyone was embracing. Who needed uncomfortable heels when you can conquer the business world in designer slippers? After all, class never needs to leave us, even during a pandemic, hey?

I have appreciated the back top face-to-face meetings as I do like my Christian Louboutin’s and that feeling that you’ve just nailed it perfectly when you walk in the door.

Navigating the Maze of Networking Events (Spoiler: It's Not a Dating Game)

Networking events can be a maze of business cards, forced smiles, and questionable hors d'oeuvres. As a woman entrepreneur, I've learned to navigate this maze with a healthy dose of authenticity and humour and ensure it’s business as usual. Turns out, talking about the weather is a legitimate icebreaker, especially in construction, and cocktail napkin doodles can be considered a temporary contract until we all get to the office on Monday.

Keeping open to learning and being challenged is what I lead with. I am a life-long learner and encourage my team to upskill constantly. We want to lead the pack in recruitment, then we need to be ready. Plus, if my team know their pathway, what the vision is I hold for my business, their value, and how they can advance within my business, well, poachers, you don’t have a chance!

I am very proud of my deep networks, and they have both supported and sustained me to grow, learn and expand over the last four years. Having strong, deep and true networks is one of the key success tips I would give to any entrepreneur.

Surviving the Overload in Emails

I am amazed at how many lists I subscribe to overnight in my sleep apparently, and how big my list of junk emails has grown in four years.

Navigating the digital terrain of recruitment, one cannot overlook the burgeoning volume of emails that has marked the evolution of our business over the past four years. What once may have been a manageable stream has now transformed into a bustling river of communication, flowing with inquiries, candidate submissions, and collaborative discussions.

The flood of emails speaks not only to the expanding scope of our operations but also to the growing network of professionals, clients, and partners we engage with daily. While managing this deluge requires strategic organisation and a penchant for multitasking and a vibrant well-trained team, it serves as a testament to the dynamism that defines our journey in the ever-evolving landscape of recruitment. Adapting to this surge has been both a challenge and a triumph when we have implemented systems and technology and our own crew to refine and stream these.

The Power of Laughter as the Best Business Medicine

One of my biggest learnings and tips: Don’t lose reason!

I’ve seen the most reasonable high-level professionals lose reason and perspective and need to be talked off the ledge. We work in a high stress, fast moving industry. In the unpredictable landscape of construction and recruitment, the power of good humour emerges as a formidable ally, steering myself and my team through the twists and turns with resilience and grace.

Laughter, like a secret language shared among colleagues, possesses the uncanny ability to dissolve tension, bridge gaps, and foster camaraderie. Infusing humour into our workplace culture has proven transformative, turning challenges into anecdotes and setbacks into stepping stones. It acts as the glue that binds our team, creating an atmosphere where creativity flourishes and collaboration thrives.

Beyond the walls of the office, humour becomes a universal language, forging connections with clients and candidates alike. It's not just a whimsical addition to our work; it's a strategic tool, navigating us through the complexities with a light-hearted touch and reminding us that, sometimes, a shared laugh is the most potent remedy for the trials of the professional world.

Looking Forward to Being Of More Service

So, here's to four years of laughter, resilience, adaption, and the unexpected joys of being a woman in the recruitment and construction industry. The learning and the journey continue, and while I might not have predicted all the twists and turns, I wouldn't trade the chaos for anything. In fact, chaos to me is just the opportunity to find the spark of clarity to bring everyone back in alignment and get the job done!

Cheers to the next round of hilarity, lessons, and, of course, successfully juggling those metaphorical circular saws!

If you would like to read more about my values, my why and my superpowers, click here:
https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/about

Our Superpower

Our leading 'superpower' is attracting and retaining quality team members who share our values of honesty, integrity, diligence, and service, allowing us to deploy quality team members on client sites quickly.

Our team member's superpower is being motivated, prepared and ready to enthusiastically contribute to the projects at hand, more than just a pair of hands.

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Read other informative articles for both employers and workers at: https://www.siteforcerecruitment.com.au/blogs

Chantal Penny is the Director with Superpowers of SiteForce Recruitment. A thought leader in the industry, Chantal, based on her expertise and industry perspective, offers unique guidance, inspiration, and influence in the industry. Chantal Penny is also a thought leader in the industry with her Podcast, Talent Instinct, which is available at:
https://talentinstinctpodcast.libsyn.com/site

At SiteForce Recruitment, we specialise in labour-hire and permanent recruitment in the construction industry. We are committed to valuing people, safety and wellbeing, collaboration, trust and, of course – results!

CONNECT with us via our contact page or bookings links on our website if you are looking to recruit for, get your dream job, or join our amazing labour force team.