From India to London: Embracing a New Chapter

As promised, I'm back again to tell you all about my journey from India to London. 

On the surface it’s an incredible opportunity, and many have reached out and told me how lucky I am! Although the move hasn’t been easy I am incredibly grateful for this chance. Moving to London may have been destiny or luck, but it also took hard work and dedication.

As many of you know, I have been remotely recruiting and supporting our US office from India, which meant working very odd hours. I would start my working day in the evening and continue late into the night. Being someone who loves taking on new challenges and stepping out of my comfort zone, I was ready to take it on. So what if I had to work odd hours? I thought it would be a breeze.

However, challenges presented themselves in many various forms. One of the biggest hurdles I found was the difference in the markets from India to the US, I was shifting from a volume-driven market to a candidate-scarce market. Adjusting to the culture and understanding what it took to connect with people was a learning experience. I realized that to be successful, candidates needed to see me as more than just an InMail. That's when building my personal brand on LinkedIn became crucial and I worked to develop that. 

The original plan had been for me to eventually move to the US and work alongside our team and clients there. However, due to the waiting period for the visa, it became clear that this route wasn’t viable. I have always been a social butterfly, the shift to staying home and working all night meant sleeping during the day, which began to take a toll on my mental health. I didn't meet my friends very often, and there were weeks when it felt like I didn't even see the sun. I skipped my running sessions and missed out on meals with my family. It was an impact on my new schedule that I hadn’t anticipated. 

I made my team aware of the challenges and hardships I was facing both personally and with this new market. Roshan Jayawardena, the Managing Director for the US, became my first coach during this period. He helped me get organized, taught me to be proactive, encouraged me to ask the right questions, and urged me to approach my challenges differently. His constant guidance and support enabled me to close a Senior TA role within just three months.

This achievement gave me a real push and helped me take ownership of my actions. When you start achieving what you aim for, being resilient becomes a little easier. Throughout my life, I have been guided by the four D's: Determination, Discipline, Dedication, and Devotion.

With consistent hard work and effort, along with incorporating the feedback I received, I was able to secure my first account with a rapidly growing retail organization. In just six months, I closed five roles with them. Of course, it didn't happen overnight. It required immense patience and the willingness to persevere every day. Fortunately, my hard work and results were recognized by everyone on the team, not just locally but globally as well. Our COO Emily Ramji and CEO Stuart Elliott, acknowledged my achievements. That's one of the perks of working with a small and boutique organization—everything gets noticed.

That's when Emily Ramji presented me with the idea of moving to London and continuing to recruit for the US from there. It meant working better hours and no longer having to live the life of a night owl. It was an opportunity to explore a new country, experience a different culture, and, most importantly, work alongside my colleagues in London, including Daniel Orr who is also part of the US team. The thought of this adventure filled me with excitement and anticipation.

So here I am! As I begin this new phase, I am excited to explore the vibrant city of London, immerse myself in its rich history and diverse culture, and make new connections both personally and professionally. I look forward to working closely with the team, contributing my skills and expertise, and continuing to grow my career. Moving to London is not just about a change in location; it represents a new chapter of personal and professional growth. I am ready to embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, face the challenges with determination, and make the most of this exciting journey.

In addition, my role has evolved since the beginning of 2023, I am now recruiting Junior to Mid-level HR professionals in the Legal and Professional Services space alongside my colleague Abby Judelman, Associate Director US.  I’d also like to take this moment to thank her for all the support she has provided me with my work and made the move easier, allowing me to take the time to explore and get settled in this new place.

 If you are working in the Financial and Professional Services space I would love to connect, meet for a coffee and network so I can also get to know the HR landscape in London to grow my market knowledge across regions and forge new connections. Feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn or email me at ss@elliottscotthr.com. I believe that networking and building relationships are essential for personal and professional growth, and I am excited to connect with like-minded professionals in the industry.

Stay tuned for more updates as I share my experiences and adventures in London. Until then, thank you for being a part of my journey and for your continuous support!