Meet the Team: Cliona Quaid
Cliona Quaid is the Contractor Manager at Berkley. In this interview, she tells us about her path into recruitment and the role of contracting in today’s ever-changing environment.
Path into Recruitment
Having completed a degree in HR at UCC, Cliona has enjoyed a long career across a diverse range of areas. “I started in banking but decided to broaden my horizons by travelling and working in Australia, the States before settling in London for a number of years.”
On returning home, Cliona carved out a successful career in HR working in a much-loved institution of Irish sports. “I worked as a Human Resources Officer with Munster Rugby. When I joined, Munster was in the early stages of going professional, so it was a very exciting time to be part of it. I was there for eleven years and enjoyed every minute of it.”
Eventually, however, it was time for a career change. “Recruitment appealed to me because I‘m very people focussed and I tend to veer towards roles where I get to help people”, she says, “Plus, there was a strong overlap with my HR background.”
The Move to Berkley
In 2020, Berkley approached Cliona about taking on a brand new position as Contractor Manager. “The role seemed like a great fit. It allowed me to use the skills I had developed throughout my experience working in HR and recruitment. Plus, it brought together two things I love – engaging with people and problem-solving.”
“The main remit of my job is to help foster strong partnerships between our clients and our contractors,” Cliona explains. This involves providing post-placement support to both the candidate and the client.
What are the Benefits of Taking on Contractors?
In recent times, more and more organisations have turned to contingent workforce models to resource their projects. According to Cliona, there are many benefits associated with taking on contractors, “In today’s climate, flexibility is key. Hiring contractors is a dynamic way to adapt to the everchanging market”.
Career Advice to Contractors
“Because of the fixed-term nature of contracts, career contractors will spend a lot of time job-hunting. This can be a very time-consuming process, but you can make things easier for yourself by building a strong relationship with a specialist consultant. By partnering with a seasoned professional who knows the market inside-out, you will be able to move from one role into another with minimal disruption. The consultant will also be able to offer advice and support as you work towards your long-term career goals.”