CA Global Headhunters awarded Honeywell RPO for Africa
CA Global gets up close and personal with Jean Kevane our Honeywell RPO Project Manager
Jean, thank you for taking the time to answer the following questions:
Tell us a bit about your background and how you got to where you are today?
I come from a sales and analytical background. I have an undergraduate degree in International Studies and an Honours degree in Political Science.
I have always been interested in international affairs so what I do now, working for CA Global and dealing with clients in Africa is a good fit.
After university I gained experience in the retail and FMCG market and received really good sales experience which prepared me for recruitment. The analytical experience from my degree has also held me in good stead throughout my career.
What inspired you to get into recruitment?
Recruitment found me. I was ready for something different and wanted to learn something new. I realized there was a demand for good recruiters so I decided to go ahead and become a recruiter.
What qualifications and experience did you have to gain in order to establish yourself and therefore become a professional within the recruitment industry?
The first company I worked with required a degree and sales experience. I believe you’re a professional when, in any industry, you can say that you’re proud of what you do and are disciplined enough to keep wanting to improve.
We hear that you have just been appointed in a new and exciting position, tell us a bit more about it?
I am the RPO On-Site Manager for CA Global at Honeywell. It’s really a great opportunity and involves working on-site at Honeywell and managing their recruitment processes.
Congratulations! What exactly is RPO?
Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) is a service that companies like CA Global offer to clients where the processes and systems that the client uses for their recruitment are managed by us in order to improve efficiency. Services include Executive Research, Contingency Recruitment, and Contracting/ Payroll.
What is the benefit of RPO:
- For the client (Honeywell)?
Increased efficiency and effectiveness for their recruitment processes and systems. Access to our expertise and methods to further complement their operation.
- For CA Global?
Forging a close relationship with valued clients like Honeywell and learning more in-depth details about their operations that can help us to deliver better service.
As the leading recruitment company in Africa, where do you see CA Global going within the RPO field?
I see us leading the way in offering flexible RPO solutions to our clients in a market that we are very familiar with and have a lot of experience in. Our track record speaks for itself and that gives current and prospective clients the confidence to make use of our services and expect outstanding results from that.
What is the most challenging aspect within your field of work?
We are as affected by market fluctuations as our clients are. You have to be able to deal with markets that are down or sectors that are under pressure in a way that still adds value for your clients and allows you to invest in improving your service.
How do you manage and overcome these challenges?
The last couple of years have been volatile but we’ve managed to succeed in growing our market base in various industries and leveraging our experience to remain a leader in recruitment in Africa.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Definitely seeing consultants that I have trained do really well and succeed.
Who is your role model and why?
My parents are my role models. My Mother and Father are both hardworking and dedicated individuals that have successful careers but have always found ways to give back to the community and help others less fortunate than they are as well.
What motivates you to work this hard?
I think it’s really trying to do your best for the candidates and the clients, and seeing that what you do really does make a difference to them as well.
What is your outlook within your industry over the next 5 years?
I think markets will still be rough but I think the biggest changes are happening in social media and how people apply for jobs. The whole recruitment industry is going to change and the companies that will succeed will be those who embrace this change and use it to their advantage.
As you know, numerous African countries are being invested in due to their rich minerals. Which country within Africa do you think will be the next hot spot and why especially in the RPO field?
I don’t think Africa is just about mineral resources anymore, although it will continue to play a big role. West Africa will continue to see big growth, as will East Africa to a lesser extent.
Ghana is a great example of a country that has attracted a lot of foreign investment. It has proved a stable democracy with a government that is interested in accommodating multinationals while also investing in the skills of its people is a good formula for economic and social success.
You can view Jean Kevane’s profile on LinkedIn
Feel free to send us your profile and CV if you would like to be interviewed! This is your chance to market yourself and share your skills with the world.
