How an inclusive company culture enables me to flourish

Written by Robert Gould  • Equality, Diversity & Inclusion  • 8 March 2022

To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, we’ve been speaking to some of the inspiring women working across Resource Solutions to discuss their career journeys, the experiences that have made them who they are today, and what #BreakTheBias – IWD22’s theme – means to them.

As a Talent Acquisition Sourcer at Resource Solutions, Maphefo Mohlakoane plays a crucial role in optimising our direct recruitment support systems and enhancing our partnership capabilities. We spoke to Maphefo to learn more about her day-to-day role, how Resource Solutions’ culture prioritises diversity and inclusivity, and why this environment has empowered her to flourish at work. 

What does a typical day look like for you at Resource Solutions?

My role is centred around sourcing for the right talent across the UK, all the way from Johannesburg, South Africa. A typical day for me involves assessing CVs –whether I’m sourcing for our direct recruiters, or simply building up our talent pools. I have also had the opportunity to work on fulfilling roles within other regions, such as the Philippines. We have the chance to work on many different projects here.

My current role as Talent Acquisition Sourcer is relatively new. As a team, we’re starting to make our footprint. It’s exciting to see our capabilities gaining recognition and being utilised effectively by more Resource Solutions teams around the world. 

I’ve actually been with Resource Solutions since 2019. I originally joined as a Recruitment Coordinator for one of our clients, liaising with managers and coordinating the recruitment process – from scheduling interviews to updating the system in real time.

What did you do prior to working at Resource Solutions?

I was a Talent Acquisition Specialist in a telecommunications firm based in Johannesburg, focused on 360-degree recruitment, managing the entire hiring process from sourcing and interviews, to onboarding stages.

What are the main challenges in your role?

The main challenge right now is lack of qualified candidates in the right locations. This is a trend we see happening globally. Nonetheless, these challenges give us the chance to get creative with matching candidates to roles. For example, if I’m sourcing for a job in Manchester but I can only find suitable candidates in London, I will contact the client, and try to negotiate a potential hybrid working arrangement, or speak to the candidate to understand whether they’re willing to relocate.

How do you find the benefits at Resource Solutions? 

In addition to medical and physical wellbeing and retirement benefits, Resource Solutions places a strong focus on mental health. The provision of mental health initiatives and support, coupled with Resource Solutions’ people-first culture, allows me to feel secure that the organisation will be there for me in the event that I experience hardship, or if I simply need a listening ear. 

How would you describe the culture at Resource Solutions?

An inclusive environment is always a good start, and that was my initial impression when I joined Resource Solutions. The first thing I noticed in the office was that there was majority of women, and it’s more than just the numbers – everything within the organisation is built around inclusion, from the regular catch-ups, to team lead lunches and dinners, to heritage days, where we dive into regional cultures and their significance.

In addition, my team has maintained their camaraderie while working from home. Even though we have a team based in the UK, we often have a virtual call on Friday evenings and enjoy a games night together, playing bingo or quizzes. There’s just great engagement all around.

What changes would you like to see made in order to achieve gender equality in the workplace?

I feel that recognition and representation are key to generating awareness around certain groups and their specific needs. Resource Solutions does an excellent job of representing different demographics. That’s not just limited to women – we recognise and celebrate various LGBTQ+ events and charity initiatives as well, giving each group their due time in the spotlight.

What kind of career path do you see for yourself at Resource Solutions?

I see myself in an Associate Recruiter role in the future. Resource Solutions is very hands-on  when it comes to personal and professional development opportunities, providing enriching training courses and shadowing opportunities to support everyone to achieve their goals within the organisation.

What advice would you give to women starting a career in recruitment?

If there’s one thing you can expect at Resource Solutions, it’s equality. You won’t have to fight or jostle to be heard. Simply focus on building your own brand and capabilities, let your work speak for itself, and you will have the opportunity to succeed and grow.

Download our whitepaper, Break the Bias: Achieving gender equality in the workplace, for further insights into gender equality and how hidden bias within your recruitment process could be alienating diverse talent. In addition, you’ll discover actionable tips for fostering a more inclusive company culture. 

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