What it’s really like being a Recruitment Consultant at BIG ANT

(Or: Herding cats while smiling professionally)

Let’s get one thing straight. Recruitment isn’t for the faint-hearted. If you think it’s all smooth sailing, handshakes and LinkedIn likes – think again. Working as a Recruitment Consultant at BIG ANT is more like starring in a fast-paced sitcom with a touch of therapy, a sprinkling of detective work, and the odd dramatic plot twist.

But would we change it? Not a chance.

 
First things first: caffeine.
BIG ANT runs on teamwork, tenacity, and a frankly irresponsible amount of tea and coffee. The kettle’s on before most of us have even taken our coats off. We’d start a barista side hustle if we didn’t love this job so much. That sweet nectar fuels our morning madness – which usually involves juggling jobs, CVs, and a sudden panic that you’ve double-booked two interviews for the same time.

(Again. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.)

Your inbox: the Wild West
You know that sense of calm you get when you log in and see zero unread emails?

Yeah, neither do we.

Each new email is a delightful gamble. Will it be the perfect candidate? A client with five new roles? Or someone applying for a forklift role with no licence but “good vibes”? You just never know. Keeps things spicy.

 
Candidate comms: a full-blown soap opera
Found a candidate who’s perfect? They’ve got all the skills. They’re keen. They’re ready.

You call. ...... Voicemail.

You call again. ..... Voicemail.

You email. You text. You consider smoke signals.  Days pass.

Then a chirpy message appears: “Oh sorry, I started a new job last week. Can you still help?”

Well, mate, we could have. But sure, let’s circle back in six months.

 
Clients: lovable, chaotic, and occasionally clairvoyant
We adore our clients – genuinely. They’re the reason we’re here. But sometimes, just sometimes, they keep us on our toes with absolute gems like:

“Can we have someone who’s a qualified engineer, fluent in three languages, and happy to work nights for £10 an hour?”
“Can you find us someone yesterday?”
Or our personal favourite: “We don’t really know what we’re looking for, but we’ll know it when we see it.”
Right. Let me just rummage around in my crystal ball.

 
Life at BIG ANT HQ: controlled chaos, with good snacks
Our Paignton hub? It's not just an office – it’s the mothership. A buzzing, friendly, occasionally loud nest of recruiters who genuinely have each other's backs. We share leads, advice, caffeine, and occasionally rage when someone finishes the biscuits and hides the wrapper.

There’s laughter, there’s learning, and yes – sometimes there’s a little shouting at the CRM when it freezes mid-call.

All totally normal.

 
The good stuff? It's really good
Now here’s the magic. When you find the right person for the right job, and you call them to say “You got it!” – it’s electric.

You hear the excitement in their voice. You know you’ve changed something for them. You made a difference.

That’s what keeps us going through the chaos and caffeine crashes. That’s what makes it all worth it.

 
So, what’s it like being a Recruitment Consultant at BIG ANT?

It’s unpredictable, energising, slightly bonkers and utterly brilliant. You laugh a lot. You learn even more. And you leave every day knowing you’ve done something that matters.

Even if your brain feels like it’s been through a tumble dryer by 5pm.