The shortlist for this year’s IRP awards has just been announced; for those who don’t know, the IRP awards are the recruitment industry’s equivalent of the Oscars! Having your name mentioned within the shortlist is an honour in itself and for those lucky enough to win; receive all manner of prestigious awards and industry recognition. But why were the awards created? What is their aim? And most importantly, what does it mean to win?

The IRP awards, the only awards hosted and awarded by the REC, aim to celebrate excellence within recruitment by awarding positive role models for their best achievements. It focuses on both individual and corporate success and promotes best practices and professionalism across the board.

Being honoured with a mention in the shortlist provides an excellent promotion platform for recruiting companies, allowing them to show off their high standards to industry professionals and clients alike.

For individuals nominated and/or winning an award it can have an amazing impact on their career; imagine how ‘best newcomer of the year award’ would look on your CV! Companies receiving an award are benchmarked as the best of the best and the leaders of the industry. Who wouldn’t want that?

                                                                      This year’s categories’ include:                               

Individual categories

• Best Newcomer of the Year Award
• Permanent Consultant of the Year Award
• Temporary Consultant of the Year Award
• Business Manager of the Year Award
• Business Leader of the Year Award
• Best Candidate and Client Experience Award
• In-House Recruiter of the Year Award
• IMA Interim Consultant of the Year Award
• Executive Search Consultant of the Year Award

Company Categories

• Best Back Office Support Team Award
• Best Contribution to the Community Award
• Best People Development Business Awards
• Best Company to Work for Award (up to 20 employees)
• Best Company to Work for Award (up to 50 employees)
• Best Company to Work for Award (up to 250 employees)
• Best Company to Work for Award (more than 250 employees)

Christopher Clark from agency Redlaw has been in recruitment for four years and an IRP member since 2010. He specialises in Private Practice Legal Recruitment.

What’s the best thing about being an IRP award winner?
Feeling proud of the recognition I received for all the hard work I’ve put in.

Has winning boosted your business?

Yes, we received calls from clients that we’ve never dealt with asking us to work with them exclusively – it couldn’t get better than that.

What makes recruitment one of the best industries to work in?

It is completely meritocratic. If you work hard consistently you will do well. That’s the beauty of it. 

What reputation does the industry have and does it need to change?

The industry is still seen as being slightly unprofessional, without a thought to long term careers.  The REC/IRP is helping to change this.

For a the full interview with Chris visit rec.uk.com

Ben Richardson of Lawrence Harvey has been nominated in the best newcomer category. He discusses what it means to be nominated for a IRP award.

Why do you feel you were nominated within the category?

Hopefully because I like to keep my head down and get on with hitting my targets!

What would it mean to win the award?

Of course it would be amazing to win the award, it’s great to be recognised! But I’m not thinking about it all too much, just keen to keep the hard work up and make sure I keep doing a good job, offering a great service to my candidates and clients.

Name your best achievement to date?

I think qualifying for the St Anton Skiing trip followed by qualifying for the Summer Croatia trip has to be a massive achievement – being in the top 20% of consultants at LH at my level within my first year was pretty good!

Name your best achievement to date?

I think qualifying for the St Anton Skiing trip followed by qualifying for the Summer Croatia trip has to be a massive achievement – being in the top 20% of consultants at LH at my level within my first year was pretty good!

“Starting in recruitment as a trainee consultant with just a few years estate agency experience, I had absolutely no idea what to expect. 18 Months down the line I am a senior consultant with 12 Contract runners and looking to bill over 200k in my first full year in recruitment. All this is possible due to the people around me at Lawrence Harvey. I have received extensive training not just in recruitment and sales techniques, but also in the area I specialise in (SAP) allowing me to have more credibility with my customers and clients. The management team at LH are all extremely approachable, from my direct line manager all the way up to Tom the CEO – if I ever want help or advice I’m more than confident approaching anyone within the business. The environment is fun and the general buzz around the office makes each day fly by! Not to mention in the past year alone I have been to Ibiza, St Anton (skiing) & Croatia! 

Everyone that works at Lawrence Harvey knows they are part of something special and that helps keep the work ethic high as well as creating a great sense of togetherness – our mission statement sums up Lawrence Harvey perfectly - “To become the recognised market leaders in our specialist areas and to do it together." Overall I couldn’t imagine myself working at any other recruitment firm – the combination of on the job & class room training, along with the people I work with, the opportunity and career development and the incentives that are run – nowhere comes close to LH!”