What Is It Like To Work At MRL - Harley Lorence

So we sat down with Harley Lorence this week to ask him a few questions about his life at MRL and why it’s different. Harley joined the business back in 2012 as a consultant. Today, he manages a team of three which specialises in placing professionals across the semiconductor and lighting arena. Here’s what he had to say:

1. What attracted you to recruitment, and more specifically to work at MRL?

“I’d been working in a sales role for a couple of years and, put simply, recruitment appealed to me because of the very high earning potential.

However what really attracted me to MRL specifically was the people. I was fortunate to be able to meet four or five members of the team at interview stage which demonstrated that MRL just doesn’t fit the stereotypical view of recruitment companies. The team is very honest, professional and while we do have KPIs we are not managed by force and fear – something too few recruitment companies can genuinely say.”

2. What are the career development opportunities like at MRL?

“The career structure has been specifically designed to fit around people’s aspirations – something that has proved very successful. You only have to look at our exceptionally low attrition rate to see this.

While my career has arguably taken a more traditional route – from a standalone consultant, rising through the ranks to today, where I not only bill and do business development, but also manage a team – not everyone has to follow this path. The career structure allows people to focus solely on billing, managing a desk, business development or a mixture of all three, depending on their strengths and goals.”

3. What is the employee benefits package like? Does it differ from other agencies?

“The benefits package is constantly evolving. The management team is always seeking out new and innovative ways to add to it, however big or small these additions may be. Our newly launched sabbatical scheme where after 5 years’ service we not only get a month off fully paid, but £1,000 is also thrown in to facilitate travelling is a prime example.

The business is genuinely interested in the well-being of its staff, we get a range of benefits that other professionals I know could only dream of.  Whether it’s being able to FaceTime a doctor to get an urgent prescription, having access to free dental care, or to take an afternoon off to go and play golf using hours accrued through our flexi time policy, they all demonstrate ‘the MRL advantage’ and just how much focus MRL puts into looking after its staff.”

4. What is the one thing you would say to people considering a role in recruitment and why should they choose MRL?

“Recruitment is tough but it’s also incredibly rewarding. If you’re looking for a company that differs from the stereotypical image of an agency, looks after its staff and offers them the chance to progress in a way that suits them, then MRL is an obvious choice.

As recruiters we talk a lot about the importance of cultural fit and we live and breathe that. So if you’re fed up of being managed by fear and want to work in a business that has great people who are all treated as professionals then it could be just what you’re looking for.”

Sounds interesting? Want to work at MRL? We thought so. Get in touch today to discuss our current vacancies or if you want to know more, check out a full list of what we can offer you as an employee.

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