Mandy Abelson is our senior Finance & Audit researcher. she helps professionals to find their perfect next career step, while forging trusted relationships with clients and candidates. Mandy has been an important member of the MERJE team for the past five years. Here, we get to know her better, while finding out more about her role at MERJE.
Wow, here’s to five years at MERJE. Congratulations Mandy! What’s been your biggest achievement to date with us?
It’s got to be starting as a researcher and proving myself enough to earn a promotion to senior researcher. I’m also incredibly proud of working, with Jonathan on my biggest placement at MERJE, with a candidate package of £500K for a FTSE 100 leading name.
Can you tell us a bit about your career background/experience and what ultimately brought you to MERJE?
I started in account management within the advertising and media industry and did this for 20 years, but I always felt that something was missing and I became disillusioned with the sector.
After years of watching my brothers build massive success in recruitment, it inspired me to follow suit and make a move. Some would call it a midlife crisis, but it’s the best decision I ever made and wish I had done it earlier.
What is your favourite aspect of your job?
It sounds clichéd, but it really is getting that candidate their dream role and hearing the joy in their voice when they are given the news. It’s truly life-changing for some people.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to progress in your role?
Be transparent and treat every candidate in the same way, whether they are the CFO of a multimillion-pound company or a purchase ledger clerk at a small family business.
What is the most valuable thing that you have learned while working at MERJE?
That things don’t work out the way you want them to all the time, but there is ALWAYS a way to resolve a situation. I have learnt to be resilient and not take things personally.
What has surprised you most in your five years?
How quickly time has flown – it really does when you love your job.
What are your future career goals?
To continue to, hopefully, be an important asset at MERJE, by supporting and contributing to the Finance team to the best of my abilities.
Do you have a hidden talent that helps with your job?
I am a feeder (a not-so-secret talent) so that definitely works well here and I’m always guaranteed to be offloading my treats to the office. Food provides energy, so I think I’m solely responsible for uplifting peoples’ mood and energy in the afternoons - haha!
What’s your favourite way to unwind after a busy day?
A hot bubble bath, followed by mindless TV and online shopping.
How would you describe MERJE in three words?
Fun, Collaborative, Family (a cliché but so true)
If you had to choose three members of the MERJE team to be part of your pub quiz, who would you choose and why?
Mike Ayres for his humorous way of looking at things, Adam Jones as I feel he is the silent assassin, and Richard Abelson for his competitive streak.
What's your desert island disc selection?
Hard choice. I’m torn between Adele, Robbie Williams and Michael Jackson. Can I have a mixtape?!
What's your mastermind specialist subject?
Reality TV or the entire stock list of the Zara and H&M websites.
Dream dinner party guests (dead or live)?
Joan Rivers for her humour, David Beckham for eye candy, and Princess Diana.
Last supper?
Sausage, fried egg, chips and beans with jam roly poly and custard for dessert (classy lady!).
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Mandy. Here’s a long and fruitful next five years - and beyond - at MERJE!
Looking for your next audit, finance, purchase ledger, or management accountant role? Get in touch with Mandy to find your perfect next career step: 0161 883 2760 / mabelson@merje.com
