Ever wondered what it’s really like working at VANRATH? We’ve been catching up with some of our team to find out what brought them into recruitment, what they love about the job, and what makes VANRATH different.

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Today we're chatting with Chris Haddock, our fantastic Senior Built Environment Specialist (focusing on interim and contract roles). From a very well-timed email to building a career he genuinely loves (while raising three kids, no less), Chris talks us through how he got here, what keeps him motivated, and why he thinks VANRATH’s approach stands out from the crowd.

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1. What led you to a career in recruitment, and specifically Construction/Built Environment recruitment?

I received an email from VANRATH's Managing Director, Barbara McKiernan, asking if I would be interested in speaking with her about becoming a recruiter. The timing of this was perfect because I was essentially being made redundant 30 minutes before I received this email.

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I was always interested in recruitment. I was previously working in the sales/business development environment, and I felt that it wasn’t quite fulfilling in some respects. With recruitment, you are directly having a positive impact in people’s lives by securing their next role or perfect career. It’s very rewarding seeing the joy and excitement in people’s faces whenever you tell them that they have been successful.

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Regarding why I chose Built Environment recruitment specifically? I have a background in Electrical/Electronic Engineering, plus I have worked within the Construction industry, so it was a natural fit for me.

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2. What sets VANRATH apart from other recruitment agencies in the Construction/Built Environment space?

There are multiple things, but the biggest for me would be relationship building and continuing support. We are not just interested in supporting on the here and now, it’s about long-term support. It’s about getting to know your client and their needs. Knowing what is going to be the right fit for them and providing a high-quality service every single time and I feel VANRATH are best in class for doing this.

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3. What’s it like working at VANRATH? How would you describe the culture?

I know this is very cliché, but no two days are the same. We have a great team with different backgrounds and skillsets, but we all gel together to create a positive productive environment. I feel you could approach anyone in our office and ask for help or guidance, and every single person would gladly take time out of their busy day to help you.

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4. What’s the best part of your role at VANRATH?

There’s not just one thing. I’ve built up great relationships with my clients, candidates, and work colleagues. VANRATH have greatly helped me with my career and personal goals, which I can only see going from strength to strength over the coming years. We have a great culture in our office, the work/life balance is perfect for me, especially given that I have 3 kids.

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Whether it’s helping someone land their dream job or supporting clients with the right long-term fit, it’s clear Chris brings a lot of passion (and experience) to the table. His journey is a brilliant example of how recruitment can be more than just a job – it can be genuinely rewarding, people-focused, and even a bit life-changing.

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We’re always on the lookout for people who want to make that kind of impact. If you’ve got a background in recruitment or sales and like the sound of what life at VANRATH is like, we’d love to have a chat.​

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Email us via hello@vanrath.com with your CV or give us a call on (028) 9033 0250 or even just reach out to one of our team members on LinkedIn to find out more about life at VANRATH, we can arrange to meet for a wee cup of coffee and chat through anything you want to know!