CAREER PROFILE: LEAH PAGAN

We’re so pleased to welcome our newest team member to the Rèlier business. Put your hands together for the one and only, Leah Pagan.

We are thrilled to share the Career Profile of Leah Pagan, our Senior Recruitment Consultant. We’re (almost) 5 years in and we’ve traditionally always hired retailers to join our team. However after an exciting period of growth and to compliment our goals for this new financial year, we’re v very excited to welcome a very experienced agency recruiter to the team.

Get to know Leah in our latest career profile.

First things first, how did it all begin? What was your first role in recruitment and what inspired you to start a career in the field?

I started my career as a Recruitment Admin Assistant back in 2014 at Hays, then worked as a recruitment consultant within the fashion industry at Who in the Zoo. I landed there as my interest was more so fashion rather than recruitment. As a bit of a natural sales girlie, the two went seamlessly hand in hand and 9 years later I've never looked back. It has become a really fulfilling experience connecting people with their dream careers.

Excitingly, you're our first hire from another agency and the only recruiter who didn’t start their career on the shop floor. How did you navigate your recruitment career to specialise in fashion and what inspired you to want to pursue this specialty in particular?

Seek what you desire, I guess. It’s a unique one because there are so many different types of positions that apply to the fashion industry. You obviously have specific roles such as design & production and then your transferable skill sets like sales, marketing, ecommerce etc. It’s this vastness that really drove me to want to be apart of the fashion industry specifically. It has always been my passion, since way back in the day focusing on tech and design in high school. My very first role I worked on was actually a Design Assistant. I very quickly realised I’m not a creative and I’m much better at the admin side of life. Having always immersed myself (and my money) on fashion and clothing, it’s always kept my interest. No two people, role or brand is the same, which means my role of sourcing people is always evolving.

What has been one of your most memorable career achievements or milestones over the years?

I've been lucky enough to place senior candidates such as General Managers and CEO's which is something I have loved. Being able to place a role is always an achievement, but i think at such an executive level, it stands out. There are candidates who I placed many years ago who have remained long term within the business and grown internally, which is a clear indication they are happy where they are and that the process has been a success.

Your role is a little bit different from our other recruiters as you're working on business development and introducing new brands into the Relier portfolio. Tell us what a regular ‘day in the life of’ this role looks like for you.

My main focus is targeting clients that I feel align with Relier Group. Reaching out to brands that I know would appeal directly to our talent pool and then connecting with the right team of hiring managers. I have an extensive list of brands we want to work with, those that are currently hiring as well as those that can reach out when the time is right.

You’ve placed a lot of fashion candidates in your time. What tips can you give candidates that will help them stand out from the rest in the application process?

A clear and concise resume. Applying for suitable positions that speak to your experience as well as your long term career aspirations. Trust the process. I think that recruiters are briefed on amazing opportunities all the time, we are there to be a personal guide and assist you in getting the role - be open to feedback, be available and let us hold your hand.

For those budding recruiters out there, what advice would you give for someone looking to secure their first role in fashion recruitment?

To be successful within recruitment i think that time management and organisation sets you up for great things. Showcasing this skill set alongside industry knowledge and passion as well as a personal confidence is key.

And finally, we do work in fashion, darling, so what’s the next purchase on your wardrobe Wishlist?

I’m getting myself the new Anine Bing Mushroom Tee and I’ve also got a gorg VRGGRL dress on the wishlist that I’m planning to grab for my besties hens do coming up.

We are thrilled to welcome Leah to the team. To stay up to date with Leah and her vacancy moves, connect on Linkedin x