Inside Episode One of Progressing Careers Everywhere: What It Really Takes to Succeed in Recruitment

Progressing Careers Everywhere is the new podcast from Amoria Group, created to give an honest look into what a career in recruitment really involves.

In Episode One, Daan Fokkema, Director at Amoria Group’s Amsterdam office, is joined by Astri Anggariani, Senior Recruitment Consultant, who shares candid insights from her six-year journey in recruitment. She explains what success in this role really means, the mindset that matters most, and how to push through rejection in one of sales’ toughest industries.

Finding Your Footing in Recruitment

Astri’s journey into recruitment didn’t start with prior experience, but with people. From a young age she knew she wanted to work in a diverse, people-focused environment. So, when she first encountered recruitment, her reaction was simple: “This is fun.”

The early months weren’t about instant results, instead, Astri spent her time focused on learning the ropes; listening to colleagues’ conversations, asking questions about why certain approaches worked, and applying those insights to her own work.

“I liked to observe my colleagues… listen to what they were saying to the clients and candidates. I would ask them why they were saying this or why they were asking this to candidates to understand.”

Her strategy was straightforward and effective: keep listening, keep learning, and don’t overcomplicate the process. By focusing on calling people as much as she could and applying what she was learning, Astri gradually built confidence and market understanding; a method she has continued to utilise throughout her different roles.

Redefining Success in Recruitment

Early in her career, Astri believed success in recruitment was transactional: place a candidate, tick the box, move on. Over time, that definition changed.

Recruitment, she explains, is unlike traditional sales. You’re not just selling a fixed product to someone; you’re working in a people-to-people service where trust is crucial. Today, Astri views success as earning long-term trust with both clients and candidates, allowing her to build relationships with them that naturally lead to placements.

“People will only give you information or start using your service when they trust you.”

Daan echoes this sentiment, pointing out that unlike selling a product, both sides of the recruitment process have autonomy. Candidates can say no, clients can change direction, and timing can derail even the best pitches.

The Mindset That Makes Recruiters Thrive

When asked what separates those who succeed from those who struggle, Astri highlights two essential traits:

Firstly, a learning mindset. Curiosity is non-negotiable, and recruiters must continuously connect dots. Understanding the client’s needs, the candidate’s motivations, and industry developments are all crucial to staying on the ball. Without curiosity, Astri notes, recruiters quickly become outdated.

Secondly, a long-term perspective is crucial. Recruitment isn’t about instant wins, so defining why you’re doing the job creates purpose & avoids burnout. Whether it’s professional growth, financial goals, or a genuine personal interest in the industry; that purpose fuels consistency, persistence, and resilience in your work.

“When you have a long-term perspective, it helps you stay consistent and persistent.”

Overcoming Rejection and Finding Confidence

Rejection is a constant in recruitment, especially early on. Astri shares that these roadblocks came daily, particularly when she was building a market from scratch with no existing network or technical knowledge. Her approach? Keep trying and constantly adjust.

Rather than taking these rejections personally, Astri treated them as feedback. If one pitch didn’t work, she tried another. If the timing was wrong, she followed up later. One of her most impactful habits was recording her own pitch and listening back to it with a critical ear.

“Tone of voice matters. People can hear if you’re nervous or unsure.”

By reviewing her pitches, Astri was able to refine how she sounded, aiming for a natural, confident, and conversational tone. This led to the  pitches beginning to flow better and turn into more natural conversations between her, the clients and candidates.

Advice for Those Just Starting Out

For anyone considering recruitment or in their first few weeks, Astri’s advice is clear:

• Don’t come into recruitment expecting instant success
• Take time to build trust between you and your clients/candidates.
• Consistency matters more than perfection
• You can’t control responses, only your actions

Recruitment, she says, is ultimately rewarding because it’s dynamic, challenging, and people driven. “If you like improving every day and receiving a big reward after multiple attempts, recruitment is for you.”

🎧 Episode One of Progressing Careers Everywhere is out now.
If you’re curious about a career in recruitment or consulting, or just want an honest look behind the scenes episode one is the perfect place to start.

👉 https://podfollow.com/progressing-careers-everywhere-podcast/view