Meet Grace – Our New Trainee Recruitment Consultant Apprentice

Get to Know Grace at Adkins & Cheurfi!

At Adkins & Cheurfi, we’re passionate about developing future talent in the recruitment industry. Apprenticeships play a huge role in that — creating opportunities for individuals to build real skills, gain hands on experience and grow their confidence from day one.

We recently welcomed Grace Dodgson to the team as our new Trainee Recruitment Consultant Apprentice. In just a short time, she’s already immersed herself in the fast paced world of recruitment, learning about everything from candidate assessment to the importance of detail behind the scenes.

We caught up with Grace to talk about what inspired her to start a career in recruitment, her first impressions of A&C and what she’s most excited to learn as she begins her apprenticeship journey.

What made you want to start a career in recruitment, and what are you most excited to learn?

I like the idea that you’re not just filling roles — you’re helping someone take a big step in their career while also helping a company grow. What I’m most excited to learn is how to properly assess candidates and understand client needs on a deeper level.

What’s been the most welcoming or positive thing about joining the Adkins & Cheurfi team so far?

What’s stood out most is how approachable everyone is. Even being new, I’ve felt comfortable asking questions and engaging, which makes settling in much easier. There’s a good balance of professionalism and friendliness — everyone works hard but still makes the environment feel relaxed and supportive.

What’s something new you’ve learned or experienced since starting at Adkins & Cheurfi?

Something new I’ve learned since starting at Adkins & Cheurfi is just how important the behind the scenes admin work is in recruitment. Working on candidate submission forms has really shown me how much detail and presentation matters. Small things can make a big difference to how a candidate is viewed and how good organisation keeps everything moving smoothly.

From what you’ve seen so far, what qualities do you think make a great candidate?

From what I’ve seen so far, great candidates aren’t just defined by their CV. Their attitude and communication makes a huge difference. Being reliable, professional, fast replying and clear really stands out.

What were you most nervous about before starting, and what surprised you once you got going?

I think I was most nervous about picking everything up quickly and not making mistakes, especially being new to the industry. But once I started, what really surprised me was how supportive and friendly the team is and how everyone is willing to help each other. I’ve also realised there’s so much more going on behind the scenes in recruitment that you don’t see from the outside.

What skills are you hoping to build during your apprenticeship?

During my apprenticeship, I’m focused on developing strong communication and relationship-building skills so I can work confidently with both candidates and clients. I want to get a good understanding at what people need, asking the right questions, and making smart decisions.

What’s one thing you’ve already picked up that you didn’t expect?

One thing I’ve picked up that I didn’t expect is just how much the little details matter. Working on candidate submissions has shown me that things like layout, wording, and getting information spot on for a client’s first impression. It’s made me realise recruitment isn’t just about conversations.

Who’s helped you settle in the most since joining A&C?

Everyone at A&C has been really welcoming, which made starting so much easier, but Chloe has especially helped me settle in. She’s been so supportive and has always been happy to answer my questions, explain things clearly, and guide me through tasks. Having someone so approachable to learn from has made a big difference and helped me feel part of the team really quickly.

If you had to describe your first few days at A&C in three words, what would they be?

The best way to describe it would be welcoming, supportive, and energetic.

What’s a fun fact about you that not many people know?

I’m happiest in the sun, will talk about my dog Mollie at any given opportunity, and have a special skill for napping anywhere. I also have a soft spot for a glass of Prosecco🙈

Outside of work, what’s your favourite way to unwind?

Outside of work, I love unwinding by spending time with my friends and my partner, going for walks, and cuddles with my dog.

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