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In October 2017, Beth joined MERJE as a Resourcer in Credit Risk & Analytics. Five years in and her role looks just a little different than it did back then.
As we celebrate Beth’s half a decade with the team, she chats about how she went from recruitment to marketing, her time at MERJE so far, and what’s coming up next (no more career u-turns, we hope!).
Recruiter turned Marketing Manager, that’s quite a career change!
It certainly is, and it’s one I’m so happy to have made. As with most people in recruitment, I never actually planned on a career in this industry, but I fell into it and seemed to do okay.
But my creative side was always there in the background. It certainly helped me come up with innovative ways to attract candidates, and if there was ever an opportunity to assist MERJE’s marketing needs alongside my day job then I would take it.
Eventually, I plucked up the courage to declare the extent of my passion for marketing and it’s been a whirlwind ever since 🤯. I can’t think of many, if any, other businesses that would have that much faith in one of their staff members, to give them total control of the marketing function without even a shred of concrete experience.
But MERJE isn’t like any other business. I’m incredibly proud and appreciative to have been given this opportunity.
Any exciting projects in the pipeline?
You bet ya!
We’re continuously looking for new things to do and get involved in, from refreshing our brand presence to improving our ESG commitments, so there’s always something in the works.
With environmental issues being something close to my heart personally as well as professionally, I’m incredibly excited about our upcoming tree planting partnership 🌲
We’re in talks with a number of charities and organisations which plant trees and restore woodlands around the UK about a long-term commitment which will not only support tree-planting goals, but give our team the opportunity to get their hands dirty in the process. So keep your eyes peeled for us donning our wellies and gardening gloves!
In other news, we’re in the process of updating our tech stack, which I’m obviously involved in because I like to stick my nose in wherever I can! As a bit of a data/reporting and efficiency nerd, I believe this upgrade will bring massive benefits for the team and am very much looking forward to seeing it come to life.
As always, there are a million and one things on the go so I couldn’t possibly list them all, but that’s what makes this job so fun!
What are your MERJE highlights from your five years?
That’s a tough one.
I would say the Christmas party back in 2019 (I think?) was pretty epic, with almost every one of us dancing the night away in the Revs de Cuba basement. It was just a great atmosphere.
Ellie and I managing to blag two goes on the zipwire at Carden Park was also a high point (genuinely no pun intended…).
But I think the moment that beats it all is reading the email from Jonny which officially appointed me as MERJE’s Marketing Manager. I remember leaving the office that day and just sitting in my car crying with happiness. I still have the email saved in my “Important” folder 😋
What would you say really sets MERJE apart?
Now, it’s hard to say anything here that doesn’t sound like gooey marketing crap. Every business can claim that its people / culture / values set them apart.
But I’ll give it a go.
I think, the ultimate element that makes MERJE what it is, and how successful it is, is our approach to people.
No matter who you are, where you’re from, whether you’re a staff member, a £20k candidate, a £200k candidate, a client we’ve known for decades, a client we’re trying to get in with, the office cleaner, the guy who lives across the road…
We’re all just people. Real, genuine, not-perfect-but-doing-our-best, people.
And that’s how we approach each other. Why waste time with corporate nonsense, unnecessary KPIs, or seniority complexes?
Let’s just be honest, do our jobs well, and support each other to achieve our goals, because when each individual succeeds, everyone benefits. And that’s the MERJE approach.
What does the future of your career hold for you?
Honestly, I have no idea. I’ve never been big on having solid ambitions like “I want to be a Chief Marketing Officer” or “I want to earn £150k per year”. I tend to just go with the flow and, well, it’s worked out alright so far! 😂
If anything, I’m either happiness- and/or purpose-driven. You could earn all the money in the world but if you hate every second between 9am-5pm then what’s the point?
Whatever direction my career goes in, as long as I’m enjoying it and doing what I can to better society and the environment I’ll be happy.
Congratulations to Beth on her five year MERJE anniversary! If you’d like to chat with her about marketing content or partnerships, email marketing@merje.com.
