Our Senior Consultant, Angela Ferguson, has reached the incredible milestone of 20 years at OSA. So we thought it was the perfect opportunity to feature her in our next blog and find out how things have changed over the past two decades.
What first attracted you to the company?
I’d only been on the island for 18 months and had done various admin roles, but I saw an advert for a trainee consultant, so I thought I’d give it a go. At my interview with Nick and Sophie, I really took to them, and I liked what I heard about the company.
I wore my lucky scarf – neon pink polka dot – and came away from that interview really wanting the job. I had a second meeting where I met some of the team and I could tell it was a great place to work – they’d all been there six plus years, which I thought was crazy at the time, but here I am with 20 years under my belt. Thankfully my lucky scarf worked!
What is it about OSA that has made you stay?
It’s such a cliché but it has to be the people. My colleagues are wonderful!. We’re a really tight team – it’s like one big family.
We always help each other out and there’s a great sense of collaboration. If one of us is having a bad day, we stick the kettle on and lend an empathetic ear.
I’m incredibly lucky to have never suffered from the ‘Sunday night blues’ or dreaded going to work.
What are some of the biggest changes you’ve seen in the recruitment industry?
Technology has played a big part in the changes I’ve seen during my time in recruitment. Back in the day, we used to print out CVs and hand deliver them to companies. Now, many companies have a recruitment portal and an applicant tracking system. GDPR also plays a huge role in everything we do now, to ensure we remain compliant.
Of course there’s also been a big shift towards flexible working in recent years.
These developments have had a positive impact on our work, but it’s important that we keep that balance of a human element alongside the technological developments to save time while being efficient.
How has OSA evolved over the years?
We had a much more corporate feel when I joined. The branding was blue and red, and we only dealt with offshore appointments.
Now our branding is yellow, which is a mile away from what it used to look like, and gives a much more friendly, approachable and positive vibe, while still being professional.
I’d say we’re also more innovative with our offerings now, because the competition has grown hugely over time. But, although we’ve evolved, we’ve always remained true to ourselves.
What do you like most about your job?
I like that every day is different – I could be getting to know new candidates, speaking to our clients, gaining interview feedback or negotiating to get the best outcome for everyone involved.
I love that I meet a diverse range of people and build relationships with them. I’m dealing with things that are emotive, so it’s important to help.
Can you share one or two standout memories from your time at OSA? Any particularly rewarding moments?
I can’t talk about any specific examples, but I find it incredibly rewarding when a candidate comes to us at their lowest point and we help them to get their confidence back, coach them for the interview, and see them back on their feet and thriving in a new job. It’s a great feeling.
What are you most excited about when it comes to the future of OSA and the recruitment industry?
The industry is constantly evolving and we’re always coming up with new ideas to stay ahead. The future looks bright and I certainly don’t plan on going anywhere.
When you’re not at work, how do you like to spend your time?
I like to be on holiday. Ibiza is one of my favourite places – my husband and I have been there four times in the past two years. There are lots of different sides to the island and so much to explore, which is why we keep going back.
My husband is a professional chef, but I do the cooking at home, and I love it – especially Italian food. My signature dish is Duck Pappardelle. I had it once on holiday in Florence and it was one of the best meals I’ve ever had, so I tried to recreate it at home.
