Jennifer Cozzi, Director of Resourcing and Client Services, reflects on a decade of learnings at CVM People.

I can’t believe it was only 10 years ago that I left teaching to join CVM People – a complete 180 on my initial career path and quite a shock to my family and friends. I had always planned to teach. In fact, my dad was so concerned at the time by the long hours I was suddenly spending working for a startup he had never heard of, for an industry he didn’t really understand, he was once seen peering through the office window to check out the team – much to my horror!

However, I quickly found I loved it, and the knowledge I had access to – immersing myself in the world of Data, Marketing and Tech – presented never ending learning opportunities. And as the talent team worked alongside the consulting arm – full of practitioners with years of industry experience – I was able to learn about the different roles and the emerging technology landscape by sitting around a whiteboard with real experts, rather than staring at Google. Slightly intimidating at times, but an invaluable experience.

5 years later (which felt like a decade in a small business), Karl and I had the opportunity to take over leadership of the CVM People team. Saying yes and signing our contracts as we emerged out the other side of the Covid pandemic already feels like a lifetime ago, but it has given us the opportunity to build a business that we are incredibly proud of.

So, 10 years on in talent, extra wrinkles and lots of stories – what have I learnt?

Build a team with a genuine alignment of core values:

There are many common negative perceptions that organisations and candidates hold about talent partners and search firms. These perceptions aren’t always true, but  they often stem from poor communication or past bad experiences. We pride ourselves on challenging that stereotype.

I used to think caring too much was my biggest weakness – causing too many sleepless nights and a tendency to be a perfectionist. But now with hindsight, I know it to be my biggest strength in this industry, and one I am lucky my team shares.

We treat people the way we would want to be treated, and we try to make the right call, depending on a client’s or candidate’s needs, even when that occasionally conflicts with our own. Honesty builds trust, and trust leads to new business, often the kind of business you actually want: relationships built on mutual respect and a genuine appreciation of the value a true partner can bring.

Be strategic, not transactional. 

We strive to understand each client’s mission, growth plans, and priorities so we can anticipate future hiring needs and get ahead of the ask, rather than simply reacting to vacancies. Our relationships span years not weeks, and this has come from our ability to position ourselves as a true strategic partner.

By acting as brand ambassadors and designing recruitment processes that reflect a client’s values and culture, we’ve been able to really immerse ourselves in their technology landscape and strategic priorities. This approach has helped us stand out, and by focusing on long-term value creation, rather than just day-to-day delivery or short-term wins, we are better positioned to help our clients succeed.

Become an expert. 

There is no barrier to entry in talent. No specific credentials required. Therefore, many “experts” of Data / Marketing / Tech in the agency world tend to have shallow knowledge of the technical or cultural nuances of the roles they’re hiring for. Equally, internal talent teams are often spread too thin, across multiple business domains and verticals. Therefore, they simply don’t have the time or opportunity to develop deep expertise.

Our success has come from our ability to get into the detail. Asking difficult, challenging questions that stem from a genuine understanding of the spaces in which we operate, which has built respect with the hiring community. We are unique in our ability to access knowledge from the consultants that work for CVM People, but also in our tenacity and drive to research the facts and keep abreast of market trends.

We help our clients make better hiring decisions and advise them on how best to restructure their operating models because we understand how to get the most value from these departments. Becoming an expert, and really understanding the space you operate in breeds confidence, in yourself and with your clients.

Across the leaders we partner with – CMOs under pressure to prove marketing value, CIOs juggling modernisation with BAU, or People Directors navigating complex, cross-functional hiring demands – the challenges may differ, but the fundamentals remain the same: they need a partner who understands their world, tells the truth, and helps them build teams that genuinely drive the growth of their business.

Don’t take it personally. 

I mentioned earlier that I care too much, which remains true. But I have learnt that emotional resilience is key. Accepting the fact that you cannot control everyone’s opinions makes for a much more productive and happier working environment. I do have a fear of being ill thought of, as do many of my team. However, in recent years I have been much better at managing this by focusing on what truly matters – performance, behaviours and growth.

It is immature and naive to believe, as a consultancy, that you will always be treated with the respect you look to give others. You also just might not be the right fit for a client or an individual, and that is ok. You cannot be everything to everyone – take feedback onboard, be self-aware and remain professional.

Protect yourself by not internalising rejection, setbacks or criticism. Process this objectively, learn from it where you can and move on.

So, what next?

If the last 10 years have taught me anything, it’s that this industry will keep changing – new tech, new expectations, new buzzwords – but the fundamentals don’t. Do good work. Tell the truth. Care (even when it costs you a bit of sleep). Keep learning. Surround yourself with people whose values align with yours and who’ll challenge you as much as they support you.

I’m incredibly proud of the team we’ve built, the clients who’ve trusted us, and the candidates who’ve let us play a small part in their careers. If this is what the first decade looks like, I’m genuinely excited – and curious – to see what the next one brings.