Emma Durkin

October 15, 2014 in People management, Profiles
Emma Durkin, iS Partners

Emma Durkin, iS Partners

Name: Emma Durkin

Designation: People Management Lead

Company: iSPartners (Pty) Ltd

What do you do every day? I truly believe that to be a great people manager you have to have a real, genuine passion for people – you cannot fake it. All of our people managers at iSPartners are a testament to this fact, which is why each and every one excels at what they do.

People management requires an orderly approach. Organised files, strong time management skills, and personal efficiency are key to effectiveness in this role. We are dealing with people’s lives and careers here so the responsibility is huge but so are the rewards.

The People Management Lead is the conscience of the company, as well as the keeper of confidential information. As you serve the needs of top management, you also monitor their actions toward employees to be sure that policies and regulations are followed. You need to be able to push back when they aren’t in order to keep the firm on the straight and narrow. Not an easy responsibility and this is where your negotiation, conflict management and diplomacy comes to the fore.

How did you get into the tech space? I was originally in the airline industry, moved to recruitment in the banking sector and was introduced to iSPartners through an ex-colleague who was recruiting for the company and looking for someone with a psychology degree and line management experience. The rest is history!

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you? Not so much advice but a saying that I live by: “No amount of guilt can change the past and no amount of worrying can change the future.”

What advice would you given someone wanting to get into the tech sector? Contact It’s About People – the best recruiting company in the country!

What motivates you to get out of bed every day? Making a difference in people’s lives and making their working experience at iSPartners a memorable one (for all the right reasons!)

Who do you want to be when you grow up? An older version of myself – hopefully wiser!

Find me on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/emma-durkin/14/933/a1a

Samantha-Leigh Harper

August 18, 2014 in Director, Profiles
Samantha-Leigh Harper, Nu Beginnings

Samantha-Leigh Harper, Nu Beginnings

Name:  Samantha-Leigh Harper

Designation: Director

Company: Nu Beginnings IT Career Specialists

What do you do every day? Our number one focus is to assist IT aspirants in advancing their careers – we do this by sourcing IT companies with which to match them up.

How did you get into the tech space? My first position was co-incidentally IT recruitment.

What was the best advice anyone ever gave you?  That’s a tough one. Best advice I can give – It’s all about attitude. For some reason the younger generation think the world owes them. Study hard, work hard, go the extra mile and do more than what you are paid to do.

What advice would you give someone wanting to get into the tech sector? Technology might be something that is taught, however in my experience, the successful aspirants and happy ones – are passionate about that technology.

They’ve been taking PC’s apart since the age of 10, learning code, doing self -study research and staying on top of new technology. They eat, breathe and live IT. Due to the fact that technology is forever progressing, if you don’t have the passion it’s not the career for you.

What motivates you to get out of bed every day? I work with people 24/7 – there is no reason not to get out of bed.

Who do you want to be when you grow up? Superwoman ideally. 😉 However, I really do admire Adrian Gore. He took an industry that was profoundly broken and turned it into an empire. It’s the exact mission Nu Beginnings has, to change the IT recruitment industry that is profoundly broken into a well-trusted and respected industry.

Find me on:
Twitter: @NuBeginningsSA, @SleighHarper
LinkedIn: za.linkedin.com/pub/samantha-leigh-harper/6/b86/85a
Google+: https://plus.google.com/112938399805856603179
Blog: www.nu-beginnings.co.za