This week, our Senior Administrator Beth celebrates her 5-year anniversary with Interlink. She’s seen a lot of changes in that time and in this Q&A, she shares more information about her experiences at the forefront of everything legal recruitment.

Going back five years, what brought you to Interlink at the time? What was it about the business that you liked?
I started a career in recruitment at sixteen as an Administration Assistant, and during my time with my previous employer, I progressed to working as a Recruitment Consultant. While I enjoyed recruitment, I had a natural flair and more of a love for the administrative side. Around the same time that I had decided I would prefer to step away from recruitment, I was made redundant. This gave me the push I needed to start looking for an administrative position. It was then that I found Interlink, where I was given the opportunity to meet the whole team (only a handful of people back then!), and immediately I decided I could see myself working with them.

You've done everything from daily office management to looking after recruitment administration here at Interlink, plus more in between. Tell us about your role from when you started and how it has evolved.
I started doing the basics of recruitment administration, which involved formatting CVs and posting job adverts. As we grew the headcount at the old office, my role progressed to include managing the everyday office functions. Since we moved to The Bayley, I am now involved with pretty much everything. I manage our database and keep a track of statistics and performance. I assist with our internal recruitment programme and induct new employees when they start with us. I am also the company’s first aider!

Life at Interlink has changed a lot since you started five years back. What was it like back in the King Street days? What do you remember, both good and bad?
When I started at the King Street offices in Manchester, there was just the five of us! While we grew and more new faces joined us, it stayed very close knit and it was a great environment to be in. The only bad side to working there was it got too small for all of us, and the building’s shared kitchen wasn’t the best.

And what about now, at The Bayley - how have things changed since the company moved here? Both from an office environment and personal perspective?
Being here at The Bayley, there is so much extra room and we have been able to expand the business and bring in new people. This has helped to add a new dynamic to the office. But in terms of the way we work together, it’s still very much like a family – just a much larger one now!

Of your five years at Interlink, which year stands out as being the best and most memorable to you?
I have to say it would be my first year as it brought me out of my shell and made me the person I am today. I am so much more confident in myself, and my work and has really helped me to progress in both my professional career and my personal life.

There's always been a great sense of 'team' at Interlink. Describe some of your best times at the business.
All of them! I can’t think of a time where I haven’t enjoyed it at Interlink. Working here, I have the opportunity to do so much that you probably wouldn’t get to do anywhere else, not in this role anyway.
I have been to Las Vegas and Amsterdam, and also the races multiple times. But the atmosphere in the office and how we all get on so well makes every day at Interlink a great day!

Nobody would have predicted all that's happened this past year. How was lockdown back in March 2020 for you personally?
Lockdown was tough. I live alone which meant I spent months isolated from everyone. But it gave me lots of time to reflect on many things both personally and professionally. I really missed being here at Interlink and getting to spend every day with my second family. I also missed the structure and normality that my working day provides me.

Your job must be quite stressful. How do you manage all the administration you do, to keep the work flowing for the consultants?
It’s all about prioritising and organisation. I make sure I know how urgent each task is so that I can be sure I am getting everything out to our consultants, but in the correct order they are needed. I also keep a diary with a task list in so that I make sure I don’t miss anything.

Interlink is looking to bring new members into the team. What advice would you give anyone looking to join Team Interlink?
I would say working here will suit anyone who enjoys working hard, but who can also play just as hard. While we all put the time in, we also all enjoy a good laugh and drink or two (when allowed). You’ll fit in here if you’re someone who doesn’t take themselves too seriously and who likes to get involved in every aspect of the business. Trust me, if you have the chance, you don’t want to miss out working at Interlink.