Next up, Louise Hickey, another key player at BrightSpark, our Manager and Principal Consultant. Lou has a wealth of knowledge and experience which she uses to lead the team. Balancing family, work, and personal passions, here’s how she manages to excel in her role.

How Do You Start Your Day?

Lou kicks off her day in one of two ways. She either wakes up early for some endorphin pumping exercise before her family rises or enjoys a sleep-in, having a cozy morning reading books to her daughter. Regardless of the start, her day always begins with a long black—sometime even two to get her day started.

She spends her morning planning out her day mentally, ensuring she can accomplish everything she has set out to do. If she's heading into the office, her start time is around 8:30, but on work-from-home days, she usually gets stuck into the day even earlier.

What Sets You Apart From Other Recruiters?

Honesty and transparency are her trademarks. Lou believes in ensuring that everyone knows where they stand, striving to provide the best experience possible for both clients and candidates. Her love for working at a fast pace is evident, as is her success in meeting tight deadlines. With years of industry experience, her extensive network significantly contributes to her success.

What Are the Most Challenging Aspects of Your Job?

Recruitment is filled with variables beyond one’s control, whether on the client side or the candidate side. Even after doing everything right and asking all the right questions, unforeseen issues can still arise, potentially derailing a placement.

A lot of time and effort goes into finding the right candidates for clients, and much of this hard work happens behind the scenes, often unrecognized. Despite these challenges, Lou remains dedicated and resilient.

What’s Your Favourite Part About Working for BrightSpark?

The supportive team and culture that has been fostered at BrightSpark are Lou’s favourite aspects. The team understands and respects each other, focusing on work-life integration. It’s a place where you can always be yourself, celebrate wins, and enjoy a light-hearted atmosphere.

What’s Your Favourite Lunch Meal?

Gloria’s seems to be a hot team favourite at the moment. Currently, her lunch obsession is the chicken sandwich from Gloria’s in Commercial Bay. She's the kind of person who’ll stick with the same lunch for about two months before switching to something new.

What Sparks You Up When You Aren’t Recruiting?

Her family are her greatest source of joy and "me" time is also very important; Lou feels recharged after physical activities like Pilates or running. This balance of family time and personal rejuvenation keeps her energized and ready to tackle her professional responsibilities.

Stay tuned as we continue to share more insights into the lives of our BrightSpark team members. Next up, we’ll introduce you to another one of our standout recruiters and their unique approach to making a difference in the industry!