Day in the Life of a Recruitment Consultant During School Holiday

Ever wondered what it’s really like to work as an education recruitment consultant during the school holidays?

At Flourish Education, no two days are ever the same but the Easter break offers a slightly different pace. It is still busy, still rewarding and still focused on delivering a great service, just with a little more breathing room.

In this blog, we follow Leonie, one of our SEN recruitment consultants, to give you a real insight into a typical day during the school holidays.

Getting Started

I start my day at 8am, and the first thing I do is check my emails and applications that have come in overnight.

Even though schools are closed, it’s still busy. There are always new candidates applying and plenty of conversations to be had. I’ll spend the first part of my morning speaking to candidates who are already going through the registration process, just checking in to see how they’re getting on and whether they need any support.

That’s one of the things I enjoy most about the role. It’s not just about filling roles; it’s about building relationships and helping people through the process.

Getting Everything Ready for Term

The school holidays are a great time to get ahead and really focus on candidates.

A big part of my morning is organising registrations and compliance. I’ll be booking people in for DBS checks or arranging in-person registrations where needed. Because teachers and teaching assistants are more available during the holidays, it’s often much easier to get everything completed properly.

I also spend time writing CVs for candidates who have finished their registration. This means that as soon as schools are back, I already have a clear understanding of each candidate’s skills, experience and what they are looking for, so I can match them to the right school.

Alongside that, I’ll be writing job adverts to attract new SEN candidates and connecting with people on LinkedIn. It’s all about making sure we are speaking to the right people and supporting SEN schools with their recruitment needs.

Lunch and a Reset

Around midday, I take an hour for lunch.

I usually head out for a long walk to clear my head and switch off for a bit, then it’s something quick and easy for lunch. More often than not, a pot noodle does the job.

Having that break in the middle of the day really helps reset before the afternoon.

Onboarding and Supporting Candidates

After lunch, I focus on onboarding candidates who are ready to start work after the Easter break.

This is one of the most important parts of the job. I’ll go through everything they need to know so they feel confident going into their first placement. That includes expectations in schools, how to submit timesheets and how holiday pay works.

It’s about making sure there are no surprises and that they feel fully supported before they start.

Finishing for the Day

During the school holidays, we finish at 3pm, which is definitely one of the perks of the role.

I try to make the most of that time. Sometimes I’ll head to the gym, sometimes I’ll go shopping or catch up with friends. It’s a really good balance and something that makes a big difference day to day.

Why I Enjoy Working at Flourish Education

Since joining Flourish, one of the biggest things I’ve noticed is how supportive the team is. Everyone works together, and there’s a real focus on doing things properly, not just quickly.

Even during the quieter periods like the school holidays, there’s always a purpose to what we’re doing. We’re building relationships, getting candidates ready and making sure we can hit the ground running when schools come back.

It’s fast-paced, it’s challenging at times, but it’s also really rewarding knowing you’re helping both candidates and schools.

Thinking About a Career in Education Recruitment?

If you’re an experienced recruiter and you’re looking for something a bit different, education recruitment is definitely worth considering.

At Flourish Education, you get the opportunity to build long term relationships, work in a supportive team and genuinely make a difference, all while benefiting from things like reduced hours during the school holidays and a strong work-life balance.

If that sounds like something you’d be interested in, we’d love to hear from you.