I’m Clementina Leung, a Psychological Science student at UNSW, majoring in both Psychology and HR Management. I’ve had the opportunity to intern with Fuse Recruitment as a HR intern before I graduate in 2024 this year!
Fuse Recruitment’s mission is to connect people with opportunities to achieve their dreams. At Fuse, I’ve had the chance to explore the world of recruitment, working with a range of companies, specifically the manufacturing sector.
In my role, I was tasked from screening resumes to scheduling interviews and conducting thorough compliance checks. Every day, I tackled the challenge of matching the best candidates with the right opportunities, making sure their journey was as smooth and quick as possible. Once I wrapped up those key tasks, I shifted gears to handle incoming calls, addressing various work inquiries.
One of the most fascinating parts of my job was the unexpected depth of the phone conversations I had. Speaking with a diverse range of candidates, each with their own unique backgrounds and career dreams, showed me that they’re more than just their resumes, they’re individuals with rich stories. Many of these calls turned into engaging discussions where I learned about their passions and career goals, not just their skills. Connecting with candidates and helping them navigate their issues was genuinely rewarding.
In high school, I went on a few international trips where I found that I really liked meeting new people! Attending UNSW to study Psychology and HR, I knew immediately that I wanted to work in a collaborative environment where I could meet and talk to different people. This internship was my first office job, which I’m glad I did! Recruitment was a field I’d never thought of, but it’s an interesting area of work.
I found great satisfaction in wrapping up compliance checks for candidates, knowing that we’ve created a chance for them to start their new roles. It’s incredibly rewarding to play a part in someone’s journey to employment, especially given how competitive the job market can be. I also enjoyed screening resumes, there’s something fulfilling about spotting potential and presenting promising candidates for interviews.
The role can be emotionally demanding, with the constant stream of calls often proving exhausting. Just like any customer-facing position, you may encounter individuals who are blunt or rude and may even hang up abruptly. It also requires a high level of resilience, as you occasionally need to make tough decisions, both literally and metaphorically. It can be challenging to see candidates desperate for work but lacking the right experience, and delivering bad news requires a delicate balance of empathy and honesty.
Overall, working at Fuse Recruitment has really opened my eyes to how recruitment works. I’ve spent days chatting with candidates, getting to know their stories, and delivering tough news when needed. It’s been a big learning curve, not just in HR but also in becoming more empathetic and understanding as a person.