TGt Meets...Tom Crouch from CPI Selection

Our latest TGt Meets...Tom Crouch, who recently started at CPI Selection in their Wiltshire area. He deals with Transactional Finance & Part Qualified vacancies. Below we asked him questions on all things to do with CPI Selection, so keep on reading to find out more...

Tell us a little bit about yourself... 

I’m Tom, I am 23 years old and I live in Royal Wootton Bassett. I’ve lived in the Swindon area for about 7 years and have background mainly in retail and customer services. I’m a fun-loving lad who loves a laugh and meeting new people be it in a working environment or outside of work. 

Tell us a little bit about what CPI Selection do/offer? 

CPI Selection is a well-established recruitment consultancy with Head Office in High Wycombe, but we have recently opened a Finance & Accountancy Recruitment Office in Swindon that has been spearheaded by Anneka Wilkins. They offer a fantastic range of consultancy services due to their vast reach in a multitude of different areas from, Tech to Industrial Manufacturing, Multi-lingual, and Finance. 

What interested you to work at CPI Selection? 

Initially, I had no idea what path I wanted my career to head in, due to both of my parents being involved in the IT and Communication sectors in the RAF, I always thought that I would pursue a career in IT. After realizing that the schooling process wasn’t for me due to my inability to learn or concentrate properly in that environment, I just went straight into retail working.

Most recently I worked at Costa Coffee for 5 years which really helped me develop my communication skills, meeting new people, having conversations with people of all different backgrounds and ages. After my lengthy time of employment, I felt like it was time for a change and to move onto a position where I could really see myself building a career. I hopped onto LinkedIn and came across Anneka’s profile and sent her a message just to pick her brain about how to go about starting a career in recruitment, which she loved.

To which she responded very promptly and immediately asked me if I was about for a phone call, this immediately took my interest as this extremely busy woman was ready straight away to not only talk to me but help me and point me in the right off her own back. It just so happened that we had a very good conversation on the phone, and she had a trainee position open that she wanted to put me forward for. It was the very simple, yet overlooked, consistency of constant interaction via phone, text, email which really made me feel like she wanted to help me out and do what was best for me.

This included her remembering if and where I had interviews at other businesses and messaging me afterwards to ask how it was. We have been a very cohesive unit since working together as we both have a deep understanding of each other and get on like a house on fire. 

Tell us a little bit about your role that you are taking on at CPI Selection? 

At CPI Selection I have undertaken the Trainee Financial Recruitment Consultant role based in the Swindon Office, I have been shadowing Anneka and she has been teaching me along the way. Fortunately, Anneka and I have discussed my learning style which she has been really supportive with and has worked closely with me to ensure that she teaches everything to me in a style and format that I can digest, this has led to me progressing fast and getting closer to independency within the role. I achieved my first placement in week 2, so things are going well!

What do you enjoy doing when not at work? 

Outside of work you will most likely catch me in the pub with the lads watching the football having a couple of pints and sharing a laugh. I do enjoy a night out so most weekends you will find me in a club somewhere! I am also an avid gamer so if I’m not with my friends you’ll most likely find me playing games in my room. 

How would you describe CPI Selection in 3 words... 

Professional, Fun, Challenging 

For anyone else who loved to pursue a career in what you do, what advice would you give them? 

My best piece of advice would be, never be afraid to reach out, you never know what you might find.