Who got that job?

* Consultant - contact centre specialist, Hudson

Name: Megan Smith
2004-2005: Subscriptions/call centre manager, Gordon & Gotch
2003-2004: Team manager, national faults centre, Telecom
2003: Contract role - relocation trainer/senior customer services representative, Fonterra
1997-2002: Customer care team manager, New Zealand Dairy Foods

Q: What were you doing before accepting your new position?

A: I was working at Gordon & Gotch as the subscriptions/call centre manager, managing magazine subscriptions for several publishers. My responsibilities included staff management, client relations, day-to-day operations, handling any issue-based problems, the recruitment and retention of staff.

Q: Why did you apply for your new job?

A: I was ready for a new challenge. Hudson had a strong reputation in recruitment and human resource consulting and I felt that I could bring a combination of hands-on contact centre expertise and a strong understanding of the industry to the job, having worked at all levels of the call centre industry.

Q: What does your new job entail?

A: I focus predominantly on recruiting for specialist and management roles. The most important aspect of my job is building strong relationships with clients and candidates so I have a thorough understanding of their requirements. This enables me to match the right candidates with the right roles.

Q: What are the immediate challenges ahead of you?

A: Getting to know my clients and candidates.

Q: What else might you have done?

A: If I had not been seeking a career change, I might have continued working as a call centre manager or possibly pursued a role as a training and development manager.

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: I have a passion for breeding and showing rottweilers. I am looking after two rottweilers, one adult and an active 10-month-old puppy. I love fishing and outdoors activities such as four-wheel-driving and gardening. I also enjoy reading fiction.