Career profile

Published:

Donald Strathdee is search partner at Source-People

Name: Donald Strathdee

Age: 54

Job title: Search partner at global recruiters, Source-People.

Getting there:

In my early 20s I worked in sales and marketing with Ford Motor Company. There was lots of pressure but also great career development. I was eventually managing a dealer network and fleet customers from Dundee to Shetland but when my family came along, I wanted a job where I didn’t have to drive 1,500 miles a week.

I knew Brenda Bryant at Bryant Personnel and met with her to consider a career change. It just so happened that this coincided with the start-up of Bryant Engineering.

She felt my experience could benefit the new business and so I joined the company. After a month, the recruitment manager left and Brenda asked if I would stand in until a replacement could be found.

Fast-forward 25 years and I now head-up leading recruitment firm, Source-People’s global executive search division.

Over those 25 years I have been fortunate to sample all parts of the sector: Agency, both permanent and contract, including Odgers and Norman Broadbent; in-house recruitment and search and selection. I’ve organised assessment centres for both graduates and experienced hires and had the good fortune to meet some great people, both clients and candidates, with whom I’ve developed close working relationships and even strong friendships.

Best bits: As a search partner for Source’s executive search division, I get to meet many interesting and influential people and work with clients over five continents, regularly visiting all the major oil and gas regions in the world.

It has been exciting to be involved in the establishment of Source’s Houston office. The Source team here in Aberdeen is relatively young and I enjoy working in this dynamic environment, giving the benefit of my experience when it might add value.

I’ve also been lucky enough to spend time on several production platforms in the North Sea and the hairs still stand-up on the back of my neck when I see the sheer size and engineering skill involved in constructing these installations as the helicopter comes in to the helideck.

However, there is nothing to beat the sheer pleasure of having a happy candidate and satisfied client on completion of a search.

Worst bits: I find it disappointing that, after 33 years of oil and gas production in the North Sea, successive Westminster governments have seen the industry as little more than a massive source of revenue rather than recognising the amazing achievements of the companies and the people they employ.

Advice to others: The business of recruiting people provides one with the privilege of sharing some life-changing experiences with candidates and helping shape the future of your clients’ organisation, both of which can be highly rewarding. Never treat people like a product or view a client as a source of fees. Try to avoid being parochial. There is a big and exciting world out there.