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Nicola Steel

👩💻 IT & Digital Recruitment Business Founder 💻I help build high performing tech teams & IT careers 🎯 Australian Computer Society & River City Labs Recruitment Partner & Mentor 🌏Connector & Collaborator 👨💻Speaker

Professional Background

Nicola Steel is a seasoned recruitment professional with a specialization in connecting top-tier IT talent with innovative startups and leading corporations. Since embarking on her career in 1999, Nicola has successfully matched over 1000 IT professionals with reputable businesses in both Australia and the UK. Her expertise lies in understanding the unique demands and nuances of the tech industry, particularly the startup ecosystem, where finding individuals who not only have exemplary technical skills but also fit well within the company culture is paramount.

Her extensive experience has enabled Nicola to maintain an impressive success rate, with over 99% of the candidates she places successfully passing their probation periods and integrating seamlessly into their new roles. This remarkable statistic underscores her ability to select candidates who become invaluable assets to their teams, showcasing her commitment to effective hiring practices that alleviate the challenges and costs associated with a bad hire.

In her pursuit to bridge the gap between technology and human talent, Nicola has established herself as a Preferred Recruitment Partner for the Australian Computer Society (ACS) QLD and River City Labs. Her role as a mentor at River City Labs allows her to provide guidance and support to startups, contributing to their growth and success in an increasingly competitive landscape. Nicola’s dedication to nurturing talent and fostering professional relationships is evident in her engagement with both candidates and clients, making her a highly sought-after recruitment advocate.

Education and Achievements

Nicola holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Combined Science from the esteemed University of Leicester, equipping her with a strong analytical foundation that complements her role in recruitment. Her educational background, paired with practical experience, empowers her to effectively evaluate the technical capabilities and compatibility of candidates.

Throughout her career, Nicola has held various notable positions that have shaped her profound understanding of recruitment dynamics. She has served as a Senior IT Recruitment Consultant for various prestigious agencies including Ambition and Elan IT, and has contributed to the success of tech companies at M&T Resources, and Exclaim IT as an Account Manager. Her experience as the Director of Morgan Steel Consulting Ltd. in the UK positioned her to make significant strides in the recruitment landscape before relocating to Australia and continuing to excel in her field.

Skills and Expertise

Known for her empathetic approach to recruitment, Nicola believes in treating candidates and clients with respect and honesty, fostering long-term relationships built on trust. Her insights into the tech market are continually refined, ensuring that she remains ahead of industry trends and client expectations. Her recruitment acumen is complemented by her recent investment in advanced video interviewing software, which has dramatically reduced hiring times and significantly boosted the interview-to-hire success ratio to over 70%. This innovative approach not only saves clients both time and money but also enhances the overall recruitment experience.

Nicola's passion for her work extends beyond placements; it is about positively impacting lives and assisting individuals in discovering fulfilling career opportunities. The career evolution of candidates she places is a testament to her commitment and the high standards she upholds in her work.

Community Involvement

Nicola actively contributes to the professional community through her mentorship role at River City Labs, empowering startups and tech entrepreneurs to navigate the recruitment landscape and grow their teams effectively. This engagement demonstrates her dedication to fostering success within the tech industry and highlights her unwavering passion for recruitment and career advancement.

In addition to her mentoring efforts, Nicola has been an active participant in various organizations, previously serving as a member of the NatRec Network at NatRec ANZ. Her engagement in such networks enriches her expertise and keeps her informed about best practices in the recruitment arena, which she eagerly shares with her clients and candidates alike.

Achievements

Nicola’s accolades are reflected in her unparalleled ability to connect the right individuals to the right organizations, ensuring that both parties achieve their professional goals. Her extraordinary track record of successful placements and high retention rates speaks volumes about her effectiveness in the recruitment process. Furthermore, her proactive approach in investing in technology, particularly the use of video interviewing software, showcases her commitment to utilizing the latest tools and methodologies to streamline processes and enhance client service.

If you are searching for a high-caliber IT

Highlights

Sep 8 · linkedin

🎯 Is it really 6 degrees of separation? Or could it be just 2? 🤔

This weekend, I attended a beautiful wedding celebration 💍. I only knew a handful of people, but as the day unfolded, it became clear how truly connected we all are! 🌏✨

First, I discovered that the brother of the groom had briefly dated my sister, and he had also worked for the husband of an old school friend of mine! 😲 Then, during dinner, I sat next to someone whose good friend lived just two doors down from where my family and I lived when we first moved to Australia🏡.

What a small world?! 🌍

This got me thinking... our personal and professional lives are deeply intertwined. Every connection counts, especially when it comes to your career or job search 🚀. Your existing network (and their connections) can lift you up, open doors and create opportunities! 💡✨

But remember - how you show up matters. Behave poorly, and those same connections could have the opposite effect. ⚠️

So, nurture those relationships, because you never know who’s just 2 degrees away from helping you achieve your next big career move! 🙌👩‍💻

#Networking #CareerSuccess #JobSearchTips #Connection


Hi, I am Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching. I have 25 years' experience in tech recruitment across 2 hemispheres!

Besides my family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 and exploring the world 🌏, my passion centres on placing the power in people and having a positive impact on everyone that I interact with.

I help grow tech teams in purpose driven companies and help people have more rewarding careers in tech.

Sep 5 · linkedin

🌍💻 Is your company remote-first but also has a co-working space?

This week, I had the pleasure of meeting with a remote-first client who invited me to visit their new office 🏢 Walking through the doors, I could instantly feel the energy - people collaborating, brainstorming and sharing ideas face-to-face. We had our meeting in the rooftop pool area which was absolutely stunning with incredible city views 🏙

Over the last year, I have spoken to several startups and scaleups that started out fully remote which are now utilising co-working spaces - not because of a lack of trust in their teams but because their people crave connection and collaboration. 💡✨

Personally, I love working remotely (although my home office is not a patch on the pool bar!). However, whilst remote work gives us flexibility and freedom, many employees miss the camaraderie and creativity that come with in-person interactions. The use of co-working spaces is the perfect middle ground, offering a place where remote teams can gather, innovate and build meaningful relationships which are hard to foster over Zoom.

What are your thoughts? Have you or your company adopted co-working spaces as part of your remote-first model?

#RemoteWork #CoWorkingSpaces #Collaboration #TeamBuilding


Hi, I am Nicola Steel, Founder of JJP Talent Solutions and Nicola Steel Career Coaching. I have 25 years' experience in tech recruitment across 2 hemispheres!

Besides my family 👨‍👩‍👧‍👧 and exploring the world 🌏, my passion centres on placing the power in people and having a positive impact on everyone that I interact with.

I help grow tech teams in purpose driven companies and help people have more rewarding careers in tech.

Related Questions

How did Nicola Steel gain her expertise in IT recruitment and what insights has she gathered throughout her career?
What are the key factors that contribute to Nicola Steel's success in placing IT professionals in startup environments?
How does Nicola Steel leverage technology, such as video interviewing software, to improve the recruitment process?
What leadership qualities has Nicola Steel developed through her various roles in recruitment consultancy?
How has Nicola Steel's educational background influenced her approach to recruitment in the IT sector?
Nicola Steel
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Location

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia