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Time for a sit down with our exceptional Front-Line Talent consultant Lauren Dono.
Lauren largely worked in retail when she was younger and this is where she honed her sales expertise, team leadership know-how and people skills. However, in between having children, Lauren decided that a career change into recruitment was the perfect fit for her personality and existing skill set.
Over the past several years, Lauren has worked in 360 recruitment delivery for 100 plus volume roles, as well as front-line and mid-to-senior hires. This background has allowed Lauren to develop a strong sales recruitment skillset and establish herself as a highly successful sales recruiter. In her FLT role at MERJE, Lauren works closely with all kinds of organisations to discover the best sales recruitment strategies to support their long term goals.
She then makes it her mission to attract the best sales staff possible, from sales executives and business development managers to area sales managers and sales team leaders. She helps candidates all over the UK to search for the most suitable sales jobs, while supporting clients in optimising their sales recruitment processes.
Welcome Lauren, you’re relatively new to MERJE. How does life here compare to your previous firm?
Working at MERJE has been such an eye opener for me. The culture is amazing and we all support each other. MERJE has values that mirror what I have been looking for for many years and joining the business is genuinely the best career decision I have ever made.
What are the key shifts you've observed across FLT, sales and business development recruitment since starting your career?
Sales and business development is getting busier than ever before. Salespeople have a real business acumen in my opinion and possess a drive unlike many people as they’re always looking for the next ‘big win’. This just seems to be getting stronger within the sales market and clients are really looking for the best of the best now.
What are the top challenges, issues and factors FLT, sales and business development are facing right now?
It's a busy market with more opportunities for candidates by way of an increase in the number of counter offers made. My main aim is to always build a good relationship with my candidates from the get-go. I believe they value a high level of service and it creates a commitment to myself to find them the optimum role.
Has the current cost-of-living crisis had an impact on the FLT market? If so, how and what do you think the long term effects will be?
It has made candidates really think hard about salary bandings when it comes to taking a role. I always make sure the salary fits right with a candidate first and foremost, because if it isn’t enough, the candidate will always be looking elsewhere for the next more lucrative opportunity.
What do you predict will be the next ‘big thing’ when it comes to FLT, sales and business development recruitment? What would you like to see personally?
The market is really starting to pick back up, I see 2024 being the biggest year for FLT yet!
What are your top tips for companies hiring right now?
If you like the candidate, don't hesitate and make them an offer. Don’t ask for more candidates to compare them to as this slows the process and - nine times out of 10 - you lose the candidate to a company who took them as soon as they saw the potential.
What is the one tip you would give to someone ahead of an interview? Or what is the one piece of advice you would give to someone considering a counter offer?
Always look at company values, make sure they align with your own and that you understand them. So many clients really concentrate on them at the interview stage, so take the time to understand them and how you apply those values in your everyday life. On considering a counteroffer, I always say the company you work for should know your worth before you decide to leave.
What are your future hopes for MERJE's FLT offering?
Continuing the hard work all of the team does when it comes to covering all of the sectors and industries under FLT. And, as always, there should be plenty of live roles on the go that we can sink our teeth into. My own aim is to continue developing my skills as a sales and business development recruiter so I can continue delivering the best sales recruitment strategies to clients.
What’s the most exciting, unique or challenging role you’ve delivered on and who is the client you’d most like to recruit for?
I have filled multilingual roles in the past, which were based in Romania. We had to consider time differences for interview preparation, but it was such a rewarding experience. I would love to recruit for the likes of Dr. Martens, given my background in retail.
What do you like most about MERJE?
The people I work with because we all get the job done, but there are a lot of laughs along the way.
What advice would you give to your 16-year-old self?
Look at the bigger picture because everything at that age feels like it’s the end of the world. Those micro struggles mould you into the strong independent woman you are today.
What’s your most memorable holiday?
I have two daughters so it’s a toss up between our first family holiday as a four to Palma or my dream holiday to Ibiza where I got engaged!
What’s your favourite childhood memory?
Bringing our family dog Blue home for the first time.
Who would be on your MERJE pub quiz team?
Mandy Bancroft as she’s a science whizz, Jo Donlon because she’s a fountain of knowledge, Adam Jones who is an Actuarial genius), Sally Brearley because she has some mad facts tucked up her sleeve and Mandy Abelson for her encyclopaedic TV knowledge.
Looking for a new sales role or recruiting for your sales team? Get in touch with Lauren.
