From Miss Australia to recruitment: My journey in building a purpose-driven career
As the founder and CEO of Avanti Search, I've had quite an unconventional career path. Today, I want to share my journey with you, from my first job as Miss World Australia to starting my own recruitment agency.
An unusual start: Miss World Australia
My very first paid job was representing Australia at the Miss World Pageant in 2006. Unlike the more well-known Miss Universe contest, Miss World has at its center something called "Beauty with a Purpose," which focuses on charitable initiatives. As a 19-year-old university student looking for a way to make an impact, this aligned perfectly with my values.
My drive to help others stemmed from spending every summer in India, where my mother is from. Witnessing the stark contrast between life in Australia and the poverty in India ignited a passion for making a difference.
The path to recruitment
After Miss Australia, I pursued a degree in Liberal Studies, majoring in English and Psychology. However, life took an unexpected turn when my mother fell ill with severe bipolar disorder. I found myself becoming the rock of the family, managing the household while caring for my mother and younger sister.
This experience, though challenging, instilled in me a sense of self-confidence and belief that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. It also taught me valuable soft skills that would later prove crucial in my business life.
Discovering my talent in recruitment
My entry into recruitment was serendipitous. While working in sales for a food technology company, I was tasked with interviewing candidates for my team. A recruitment agency noticed my interviewing skills and suggested I consider a career in recruitment.
I fell in love with recruitment immediately. It appealed to my altruistic nature - helping people find jobs while assisting businesses in finding great talent. Within my first year as an agency recruiter, I became the top performer.
Building Avanti Search
After spending nine years in internal recruitment, including leading the global talent acquisition function for the second-biggest wine company in the world, I decided to start my own recruitment agency, Avanti Search.
I founded Avanti Search with a commitment to ethical recruitment practices. We focus on building strong relationships with both clients and candidates, operating as an extension of our clients' internal teams. Our approach is high-touch and personal, ensuring we truly understand our clients' needs and carefully assess talent to find the best fit.
The power of listening
One of my key strengths in recruitment is my ability to listen. Interestingly, this skill was honed partly due to my severe hearing impairment. Having to work harder to understand what people are saying made me more attentive to facial cues and non-verbal communication. I've come to see my hearing impairment as my superpower in recruitment.
Career confidence and advice
Throughout my career, I've learned the importance of self-confidence and backing yourself. My advice to candidates is to never apologize in an interview. Instead, pause, think about where you can demonstrate the required skills, and if you don't have direct experience, express your willingness to learn.
For those feeling nervous in interviews, I recommend asking for a glass of water or accepting the offer of tea or coffee. It gives you a natural pause if you need to gather your thoughts. And don't be afraid to admit to nervousness - it shows self-awareness, which is a valuable soft skill.
Looking forward
As I look to the future of Avanti Search, my goal isn't rapid expansion or multiple offices. Instead, I'm focused on maintaining the flexibility and satisfaction that come with running my own business. Success for me means continuing to do work I love while having time for the things I enjoy outside of my career.
My journey from Miss Australia to recruitment agency owner has been unconventional, but it's taught me the value of self-belief, the power of listening, and the importance of aligning your career with your values. Whether you're just starting your career or looking to make a change, remember: your unique experiences and skills are your greatest assets. Embrace them, and don't be afraid to forge your own path.
