20 years in recruitment: Nicola Burgin
posted 16 Jun 26
In this month’s Consultant Career Story, we speak with Nicola Burgin, Associate Director at Search.
With nearly 20 years of recruitment experience, Nicola joined Search just over two years ago and was promoted from Divisional Manager to Associate Director within her first 18 months. Today, she leads Search’s Business Support, Call & Contact Centre & Finance teams. Here, she shares what attracted her to Search, what has helped her progress, and why she still loves recruitment after two decades in the industry.
With nearly 20 years of recruitment experience, what attracted you to Search and what has stood out to you since joining?
I’d always known Search as a competitor and had heard positive things about the business from clients over the years.
When the opportunity came up, it felt like the right move at the right time. I hit it off straight away with Julie, Managing Director, and knew it was a business I wanted to be part of.
What has stood out most since joining is the level of support across the business. Whether it’s leadership, peers, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development, or the wider support functions, there’s a real commitment to helping people succeed.
You were promoted from Divisional Manager to Associate Director within your first 18 months. What do you think has helped you progress so quickly?
For me, it comes down to attitude and work ethic.
The expectations at Search are high, but if you bring the right mindset and are willing to work hard, there are real opportunities to progress. Good ideas are encouraged, and people are trusted to make things happen.
I also think it’s important to stay open to learning. Even after spending 18 years with another business, I knew I needed to embrace new ideas, adapt, and keep developing.
How would you describe your role as Associate Director, and what do you enjoy most about leading the Call & Contact Centre, Business Support & Finance teams?
It’s busy, fast-paced, and exactly the type of environment I enjoy.
I still love winning new business and delivering great results for clients and candidates, but the biggest reward now comes from seeing my team succeed.
Watching people grow in confidence, develop their skills, and achieve things they didn’t think were possible is incredibly rewarding. We’ve got a growing team with lots of ambition, and it’s exciting to be part of that journey.
What do your markets look like today, and what makes them exciting areas to recruit in?
It’s an interesting market because, for many roles, clients hire based on personality, attitude, and drive rather than purely on experience.
That means understanding your market and knowing what good looks like is incredibly important. Alongside entry-level and customer-facing roles, there are also strong opportunities for leadership hires, including Team Leaders and Operations Managers.
We’re also seeing growing demand across Financial Services, particularly within investment and pensions businesses, which has created some exciting opportunities this year.
How would you describe the culture at Search and within your team?
The culture is one of the biggest strengths of the business.
There’s a genuine work hard, play hard mentality. People celebrate success together, support each other through challenges, and want to see one another do well.
Within my team, we have a great mix of personalities and strengths. Everyone works hard, supports one another, and is focused on achieving the best possible results.
What advice would you give to recruiters considering their next move or looking to join Search?
Honestly, I wish I’d joined 10 years earlier.
My advice would be simple: take the opportunity and back yourself. Businesses like Search don’t come along every day.
If you have the drive, ambition, and work ethic to succeed, there are plenty of opportunities available. The technical side of recruitment can be taught. What matters most is attitude, resilience, and a willingness to learn.
Ready to take the next step in your recruitment career?   Explore our current opportunities. 
Want to hear more about life at Search? Read how Luis progressed in his first six months in the Healthcare team.
