What a Great Candidate Journey Actually Looks Like
Helen called Mimi with an exciting opportunity just one hour after her last university exam, and her response was “Yes, I would love to interview.” Mimi first came to Jackson Barnes towards the end of her last year at university with the certainty that she’d love to become a conference producer. Despite her certainty, Mimi had no idea how to get her dream into action, particularly when she felt like her experience didn’t match the roles that she wanted: “I felt that my experience was too varied and wasn’t always sure how it would translate into the industry.” Despite Mimi being unsure, Helen had a strong belief that she would be a great conference producer, and put her forward for a Content Producer role. Although Mimi wasn’t successful in her first interview, Helen stayed by her side, continuing to support her career goals. Mimi began developing her knowledge of the industry, with the Jackson Barnes website becoming a great source for her learning: “I also found the content and resources on the Jackson Barnes website to be an excellent guide while I was exploring career options. They helped me develop a better understanding of the industry and the variety of career paths available, which was particularly valuable as I was starting out and considering my next steps after university.”
Although Mimi’s initial interview wasn’t successful, it was the thing that opened the door to her new role. The interviewer had remembered Mimi and contacted Helen with a role she thought Mimi would be great for. Mimi delivered a great initial interview for the role online, and at super short notice got on a train to London for her final interview, all while just having finished a 6am shift. She turned up composed, confident and ready, and left with an offer the same day: “Helen guided me through every stage of the process, ensuring I was fully informed and confident before each interview.”
What struck Helen, and clearly made a lasting impression on the hiring manager, was this: Mimi arrived genuinely prepared, not just surface-level research. She had asked for feedback after her first interview and acted on it, because she wanted to improve. She communicated beautifully, with real confidence both in writing and in conversation. And she listened. Properly listened. Mimi is serious about her career. Intelligent. Mature beyond her years. And driven in the best possible way.
There is a narrative in our industry that graduate hiring is a gamble. That early-career candidates need hand-holding, need time, need convincing. Mimi is the counter-argument to all of that. She didn’t wait to be ready. She was ready.
And what remained with Mimi throughout the process was Helen’s dedication, empathy and understanding of the industry. One thing Helen said truly resonated: “I would never place you somewhere I wouldn’t place my own daughter.” As Mimi told us, “That level of care, honesty, and integrity came through in every interaction we had.”
Mimi’s story is a reminder of what a great candidate journey can look like when the right person meets the right recruiter at the right moment. Potential recognised, nurtured, and given the space to become something real.
About Jackson Barnes Recruitment
Jackson Barnes Recruitment delivers international recruitment solutions within the events, media, and publishing sectors. Jackson Barnes recruits Graduate to MD level in the following positions:
• Sales – delegate, sponsorship & Business Development
• Editor
We recruit for organisations in the UK and overseas, with success in London, Dubai, New York, Singapore and Australia.