HIGH FLYERS: Susan Hill focuses on being innovative in the use of recruitment tools
2023-05-22
In the High Flyers spotlight this week is Susan Hill, head of people and culture at Outsource Group
What was your first job?
Working as a waitress in a hotel restaurant which gave me a great start in life, growing my confidence, and I will encourage my daughters to do the same.
What qualifications do you have?
I have a BA honours degree in international business studies and I am a Fellow member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. I also completed the CoachWise programme and am currently studying for ILM Level 7 in executive coaching.
What do you attribute your success to?
Heading out to work at an early age, being encouraged by my parents to understand the value of money. Making some good educational decisions with support from my parents but being allowed to own those decisions. Moving from grammar school to the local college to study the subjects that I wanted which led me to university.
How would you describe yourself to someone who’d never met you?
I would say that I am caring, empathetic, and a good listener.
Who do you look up to in business?
Directors of Northern Ireland companies who have created real success stories. Coming from 13 years with Novosco, Patrick McAliskey, John Lennon, Karen Shearer and Gary Parkinson are definitely at the top of my list. Terry Moore and Eamonn Bunting from Outsource. The company is on an exciting growth trajectory with a great vision for the company.
How do you get the best out of people who work with you or for you?
By treating everyone with respect. I also like to find out about people and their story, from there you build trust and a good rapport.
If you could change one thing about doing business in Northern Ireland, what would it be?
The recruitment challenges were difficult in 2022 especially within IT. The cost of living crisis greatly impacted this and people were understandably reluctant to move jobs. This year, I am focusing on being more innovative in the use of recruitment tools, building on the great culture that exists within Outsource Group, and getting out there and telling people about it.
What website or App could you not do without?
Spotify – for music and podcasts.
What was the last book you read?
Simple Scaling by Brendan McGurgan and Claire Colvin.
What car do you drive?
Audi, A3 – hoping to move to an electric car soon and Outsource are in the process of implementing this.
Tell us something interesting about yourself?
I recently signed up to the Friends of the Cancer Centre 100k Your Way challenge with two Outsource colleagues and we plan to extend that out to 300k.
What’s your greatest passion outside work and family?
Going to the gym. We have just put a small gym into our garage and my daughter and I have also joined our local Hitzone gym together, so this year I want to get fit and healthy.
HIGH FLYERS: Susan focuses on being innovative in the use of recruitment tools – The Irish News