Distinction for SmartMove founder

Media Release

9 November 2012

Distinction for SmartMove founder

The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) congratulates SmartMove Recruitment Manager Marie August, who has won the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand HR Specialist Distinction award for the central region.

The award recognises Marie’s success in establishing NZICA SmartMove on an innovative industry-focussed model.

It also recognises her successful career in HR which has included establishing and managing recruitment offices for a number of large HR firms. Marie was travelling in the South Island when she received the news and celebrated with a pint of Speights.

“I celebrated in southern style,” she laughs. “I was elated. For me it is recognition of what I have achieved throughout my career.”

Marie says establishing SmartMove, NZICA’s recruitment and career service, presented unique challenges.

“Setting up a recruitment business from scratch has its challenges, even more so when it’s a ‘business within a business’ like SmartMove. Recruitment has not been one of NZICA’s core activities. I have had to be a quiet influencer to help guide this project in a business that has competing priorities.”

“SmartMove is unique because the customers are our members,” Marie says. “It’s a targeted approach to connect employers with our member database.”

NZICA’s “in-industry” position creates high expectations among both the job seekers and the businesses seeking staff – expectations SmartMove tries hard to meet.

“If a member is seeking an appointment but they do not fill the requirements of the role, I provide honest personal feedback. But I may then be able to recommend professional development options that will enable them to successfully apply for similar roles in the future. We provide extensive career development advice to candidates, something other recruitment agencies don’t do.

“Employers can get access to the passive job seeker because SmartMove creates awareness among members of the opportunities that are out there. It is quite a unique proposition.”

“Our approach offers huge advantages to employers and candidates. Once those groups understand that NZICA has industry recruitment experience ‘in house’, they will be able to enjoy those advantages.”

Marie is now eligible for the national awards, which will be announced in November.

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