My Kind of Job: Chris Busby, MCS Group

Senior IT Recruitment Consultant Chris Busby tells us more about his role at MCS Group, a firm of ethical recruitment specialists based in Belfast.

What’s your job?

I’m a Senior Consultant at MCS Group, heading up the FinTech team in our IT division.

What qualifications do you have?

• in History & Politics and a Masters in Modern History (both from Queens).

What’s the best thing about your job?

The people! From the team I work with, to the people I meet and help day-to-day in achieving their career goals, to some amazing companies and individuals across the tech sector. There is a great atmosphere in the office and it’s a pleasure to work for a company which offers so much support, training and career progression.

What do you think are the greatest challenges/pressures of the job?

We all know there is a massive skills gap in the local market, specifically in the IT sector – so it can be competitive at times. Some people can come into this job and find the financial targets a pressure, but it’s something I thrive off!

What other skills do you need in your role?

It’s a role where you can be very busy day-to-day, so organisational skills are paramount! Strong communication and interpersonal skills are also important.

What advice would you give someone considering a career in your profession?

Do your research; ask around on what the job entails and research the right companies out there.

What’s the most common question people ask when they find out what you do?

What do you do? Despite it being a big industry, you’d be surprised at the number of people (including family and friends) that have no idea what I do day-to-day!!

What do you look for on a CV?

The devil is in the detail! Well laid out, concise summaries of roles and responsibilities with a focus on what they have achieved/worked on rather than their team/company. Examples of specific projects and technologies are a great starting point.

When you interview someone, what qualities are you looking for?

Soft skills and how they communicate – a lot of the time I feel competitors can put too much focus on finding technical skills and acronyms on CVs, without paying any real detail to whether the person will be a team player or a good fit culturally. Passion is a big one too – will they go the extra mile? Do they have any side projects outside of work? Are they picking up new skills in their spare time?