Day One

Lizzie Barker walked to the office. She took the bus. She’d normally drive, but a gatepost attacked the left wing of her Mini. She now needed money for the insurance excess to start the repair. And her No Claims Discount would be gone!

Recruitment wasn’t her first-choice career, but beggars couldn’t be choosers. After five years in hotels and three years in regional aircraft, the carrier collapsed without paying salaries for two months. Nor hotel bills, food and travel expenses. Lizzie had a problem.

A huge credit card bill and a maxed-out overdraft meant she needed money now. Recruitment was the first job offer. Anne Reid, the co-owner, targeted employees like Lizzie. They needed money and would do nearly anything.

‘Welcome!’ said Reid. ‘We’re so looking forward to you starting. Let’s get a coffee.’

Anne and Lizzie went to the kitchen. Anne boiled the kettle and took out two mugs.

‘Milk? Sugar?’

‘Black, please.’ Lizzie took her coffee strong. Years of being in aircraft meant she liked high hits of caffeine. They went to Anne’s office for induction.

‘We have about twenty live job opportunities. We need you to find candidates. Best place to start is ex-colleagues and acquaintances. Who needs cabin crew in winter?’

Lizzie wondered how she could tap her friends up about a job.

‘The quicker you fill the roles, the quicker you get paid.’

Lizzie had missed that. Commission was paid only when a candidate had been employed for a month. She was in more trouble than she had thought.

‘You said I’d get training.’

‘Marni Banks, our Floor Manager, will coach you. Read the assignments carefully. Try to understand the type of person who’d suit the role.’

‘I’ve never sold before.’

‘It’s like falling off a log,’ lied Anne.

‘Hi! Lizzie! Great to meet you.’ Marni extended a hand for shaking.

Lizzie looked at him. Shirt collar open, tie one inch below the button and a week of stubble on his face. His shirt tail was partially out of his trousers, showing a distended stomach.

There was absolutely no danger of Marni getting to first base, no matter how the money problem was. The word sleazy sprang.

‘Welcome on board. I’ll walk you through what we do. Have you got any candidates?’

‘Immediately, none.’

‘Pity. ’Marni took an assignment and read it out loud to Lizzie.

‘They want someone to make appointments for people selling windows.’

‘Good!’ praised Marni. ‘What kind of people do they want?’

Lizzie thought. ‘Good with people, a nice phone manner, instantly engaging.’

‘Persistence?’ Marni looked at Lizzie, who was embarrassed. ‘Does anyone spring to mind when you think of this job?’

‘I’ve got a friend who works a hotel front desk. She might be interested.’

‘Anyone else?’

Lizzie thought. ‘There are five air crew out of work. They might jump at the chance.’

‘Good. What’s the next step?’

‘I call them?’

‘I’d write out a summary of the job. Helps you present it in the best light. Salary, hours, training. That sort of stuff.’

‘Is this my assignment to fill?’

‘Sure, but we’re not exclusive on this job. Other recruiters will be searching, too.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘The client will calls from every recruiter with a candidate.’

‘So I have to get there first?’

Marni nodded. ‘They make decisions quickly. And have a high turnover, but they pay their sales commission fast. If they get a good candidate, he or she’s in, like tomorrow.’

‘What would I get paid if I place somebody?’

‘Our take is maybe four thousand quid. You’d get eight hundred. If you could place, say three people a month, it’s a good start. Six a month and you’re making great money!’

‘Is that feasible?’

‘Keep making the calls, Lizzie!’

‘How much does the top earner make?’

‘Etienne makes close to two hundred grand, but she’s a killer. The best way to say it is if you’re not making thirty grand, you likely won’t have a job.’

Lizzie was ready. She had a cheat sheet, notes and enthusiasms. She used her aircraft announcer voice.

‘May I speak to Sid Cotton, please?’

‘You’ve got her.’

Lizzie was thrown. Marni prompted her.

‘Hi Sid. This is Lizzie Baxter from AR Recruiters. I’ve been assigned your job. Is there anything particular you need?’

‘You’re the fourth recruiter who’s called today. I want candidates, not questions.’

‘That’s my job. I want to get you the right people, not just anybody. Wastes your time.’

That got Cotton’s attention.

‘I want someone with a good phone voice who’s not put off easily. This is window sales. We pay a good base and quick commission. When can I have some candidates?’

Lizzie’s mouth was less dry. She was used to trouble passengers.

‘When do you hold interviews?’

‘When we find someone. I do some early mornings or late afternoons. We need three people, like now. We’re busy. I’ve got leads to canvass and no bloody canvassers.’

‘What do you want?’

‘A good phone manner. No grotty regional accents and people who look nice.’

‘Does that matter if you’re on the phone?’

‘Does to me. How can you project quality if you look like shit?’

‘Sid. I’ll get on to it now and find some people for you.’

‘Nice job!’ praised Marni.

‘Do we have a database?’

Marni chuckled. ‘Where do you think we go for our first port of call?’

‘And we’ve exhausted it. Right?’

‘People sign on with every agency. They get tapped up like ten times a day.’

‘This is why I need to find my own candidates.’

Marni nodded. ‘Here’s a tip. Go on to Social Media. Start making friends with people who’ll suit the role. Message them and see what you get back.’

‘How would I do that?’

‘Tell them the salary package, OTE and benefits. Send out forty friends requests a day. You might be able to use them for other assignments.’

‘Can I have some more assignments?’

‘This is yours to run with.’

‘I’m not going to be able to live on one assignment.’

‘You’ve had a great first day. Lizzie. Do you want a drink to celebrate?’ asked Marni.

‘I need to get home.’

Lizzie didn’t have enough money for a round of drinks. She equally didn’t like the thought of being indebted to Banks. She already had one arsehole in her knickers. Lizzie walked to the bus stop.

She found the riverside office complex and pressed the intercom buzzer.

‘Sid?’

‘Who’s that?’

‘Lizzie Baxter. We spoke today.’

‘I’m not in the mood to speak to recruiters.’

‘I started at AR today and hate it. I can do your job.’

‘Why do you want to do it?’

‘I’m an ex-air stewardess. I work hard and I hate recruiters.’

‘You’d best come up.’

The door lock buzzed