Client Testimonials Candidate Testimonials Employee Testimonials

  • Having recently joined Girling Jones, it’s probably best I share my thoughts on the business, team and culture of the GJ office. Having come from a car sales background, I have always been successful within the sales environment so I hoped my transition to recruitment would be a smooth but challenging one and with Girling Jones it has. Having no experience within the industry, I have had fantastic support and training from everyone within the office and have stuck me on the path to success.

    The GJ family are the best bunch I have worked with…!! Not only do we have a great laugh in and out of the office, but we learn off of each other and motivate which I think is a huge contribution to our success. With such a modern office based on Exeter Quay it’s perfect for both Client and Candidate focused Interviews, plus the few surrounding pubs help on a Friday afternoon.
    The addition of our new state of the art work out area gives us the opportunity to unwind along with our chill out area (MicroGym & dartboard).

     

    With our intense vetting process (Technical interview, 2 references completed) we can be sure we only supply the best candidates. Our consultants offer a quality of service that is beyond that of our competitors, offering experience and knowledge of the industry. Our conversion rate is below 3:1 for CVs to interview and 3:1 for interviews to placement. Our candidates have a first year retention rate of 97.9% which mean we can reduce your own staff attrition, ensuring longevity of staff and maintaining a brand attractiveness to prospective employees. I love being a part of the GJ team, especially the maintenance & building services team (The State).

    Josh Fuller // Trainee Consultant

  • The single biggest thing that stands out for me about working for Girling Jones is the feeling of a team environment. Whether a close colleague who you work with every day or someone with whom your paths rarely cross, every single person wants all of their colleagues to succeed. We celebrate each other’s achievements and success just as much as our own. There are no egos, no “bad eggs” and this has helped to create the vibrant, fun and high achieving environment that we are lucky enough to be working in every day.

    Dan Thorne // Senior Consultant

  • I joined Girling Jones in 2015 after 4 years with a large multi-national recruiter. From my first contact with Girling Jones, I have been treated as a valued and important member of the team, from my first informal meeting with Simon Girling to an extremely flexible approach to some knee surgery I had to have shortly after joining Girling Jones.

    The working atmosphere is outstanding. A professional, ambitious environment where pride is taken over attention to detail, whilst not being too salesy/stereotypically ‘recruitment’ and remaining a fun place to be. Management at Girling Jones have worked hard to ensure that staff are recognised in almost as many ways as you can think possible – Salary and commission, fair and reasonable working hours, an earlier finish on a Friday, Summer/Christmas/quarterly socials, parking permits, Christmas break without taking annual leave and more.

    Lastly, everyone gets on. The management team make a conscious effort to recruit like-minded, ambitious individuals who get on with each other. We all help each other out, we all recommend each other to clients and candidates alike and as a consequence, this only enhances the working environment. I cannot recommend working with/for Girling Jones more emphatically.

    Sam Cooke // Senior Consultant

  • I joined Girling Jones in summer 2011, shortly after the business was set up and as much as it sounds cheesy, I haven’t look back since.

    Starting in the business as a Trainee Consultant, I worked my way through several structured promotional programmes and for the last year, have been working as a Sector Manager. There is an incredible “family feel” to Girling Jones with everyone working together to achieve a common end goal. I feel very lucky coming into work every day, from having the luxury of being based from our offices overlooking the stunning Exeter Quay, through to working with a bunch of committed and driven guys and girls with excellent banter!

    It is refreshing to work for a company where I am genuinely proud of the work we do and the service we provide to both our clients and candidates. Having seen the business evolve over the last 6 years, I am thrilled to see what the next 6 years bring and can’t wait to be part of the journey with GJ!

    Fiona Blackwell // Sector Manager

  • “I was an estate agent at an independent high end agency in London when I came across Girling Jones. My wife and I had just had our son and I was looking for an opportunity that would allow me to relocate to Exeter for the schools and the additional support of my wife’s family.

    From my first chat with Simon we got on brilliantly and he was able to tailor a role that fitted my experience and my personality. The whole process of joining was made really easy as we were able to agree a start 3 months in advance giving me plenty of time to organise a relocation from my London flat to a house just outside Exeter.

    4 years later I am now a manager of the consultancy team. I have 3 team members specialising in engineering design and architecture as well as a full time resourcer. We are on the PSL of multiple multi-national companies as well as having excellent relationships with many local firms to whom we provide a range of services beyond Recruitment. My career at Girling Jones is only just beginning and as we continue to grow I am fielding new challenges and responsibilities that add an extra dimension to the job. Long may it continue!”

    Matt Steggles – Principle

  • I’d been made aware of Girling Jones in 2012 by a mutual friend who worked with Simon at the time to secure a new position. My wife and I had been speaking about relocating to the South West and when this life changing decision came about the first point of call was to arrange a meeting with Simon to discuss the possibilities of working together. After relocating and joining another business in the region for a short time it was clear how well regarded Girling Jones was throughout the region. The time came to meet the rest of the team and go through a formal interview process. This itself was very thorough but gave us all the opportunity to collectively decide that joining the business was the right thing to do. Since joining it’s been clear to see why the business is successful, thorough vetting, strong client relationships, professionalism and above all else a great environment to work in. It’s a pleasure to be part of the Girling Jones team.

    Joe Knowles // Executive Consultant

  • After my first taste of recruitment as a resourcer for a Specialist Sales & IT Recruitment agency, I joined Girling Jones back in December 2014. Even from the start of the recruitment process and with other options available, I knew Girling Jones was the right place for me. With a great structured training plan in place coupled with being surrounded by professional and experienced recruiters, I was soon extremely confident within a sector I had no previous experience within. Reputation is everything at Girling Jones and with the exceptional atmosphere we are lucky to have, everyone is driven and motivated by a shared goal and inspiring leaders. An added bonus, the office, overlooking Exeter Quay with an array of fine eatery’s and a great place to grab a drink after a hard day’s work. I cannot recommend working here enough, you are not just part of a business doing a job, you’re part of a family, achieving success.

    James Ollerhead // Resourcing Specialist & Media Manager

  • When I was approached by Girling Jones in February 2016, I was working for a large, Plc recruitment company and was really struggling with feeling like “just another number”. I knew a couple of people that were already working at Girling Jones, and they honestly couldn’t speak more highly of the company and how they work.
    So when Simon approached me, I decided that I would go in for an “initial chat” and to be perfectly honest it’s the best decision I have ever made and I have never looked back. The training, support, and time that is invested into each consultant ensures you are the best and most knowledgeable consultant in your market.
    The atmosphere and ethos here is second to none, it has that family feel to it where we work as a team and the banter is brilliant. You get to work in an office that overlooks Exeter Quay, with bars and restaurants a stone’s throw away allowing Friday drinks to be made that much easier. I feel proud to work at Girling Jones and the service we provide to our clients and candidates on a daily basis.

    Francesca Dutfield // Consultant

  • “January 2013, I met with the GJ team following on from redundancy and a series of frustrating interviews elsewhere. I had spent several years working within a corporate investment business and I was desperate to find a business that offered the same drive and commercial spin as the corporate setting I had grown within, yet within a family business that didn’t focus solely on financial return but also on the quality of what they deliver. On arrival at the GJ offices I was immediately bought into the GJ buzz, the vibrant office, the location and notably – the team. They proved to be honest, helpful and generally a decent bunch with a tonne of experience. Fast forward two years or so, I’ve progressed both in myself and my team. I’ve grown as a Consultant and as a Manager and truly feel as though the business we have all contributed towards developing has grown a great local reputation and I am truly proud to be a part of the team. I cannot wait to see what the future ahead holds for us as a business, and the development and progression of my colleagues.”

    Vic Bekker – Principle

  • “Having previously recruited in the suburbs of London for a national recruiter for a number of years, I relocated down to Devon in the summer of 2014. Knowing I wanted to continue my passion for recruitment, it was important I joined a business which shared the same recruitment values as myself. As soon as I walked into the attractive Girling Jones offices on the Quay and talked about the business vision and opportunities, I knew it was the company for me.

    I was brought in to build up a business support desk which supports our four vertical specialist markets. Still within the construction and property market, I believe honestly and transparency between my clients and candidates is crucial and that is why it is so important I meet my clients and candidates to get a full understanding of what candidates are looking for and what business the candidates will be going into.

    I would highly recommend Girling Jones to anyone who has a passion for recruitment and wants to develop their career, be financially rewarded for their hard work, but also be working with a great bunch of people who are not only colleagues but friends.”

    Steve Clark – Senior

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We pride ourselves on the depth of our industry knowledge, our honest and candid provision of advice and our enviable success rate.

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About Us

Situated in the heart of Devon and based in stunning offices overlooking Exeter Quay, you will find Girling Jones Recruitment

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