Women at Marks Sattin: Sarah Fallon

Firstly Sarah, congratulations on your recent promotion to Manager! Can you tell us a little about your career pathway with Marks Sattin to this point? 

I joined MS four years ago. I joined as a Senior Consultant, having worked as a Senior Consultant for five years in previous companies. I had always found it a challenge to get beyond that level. Meeting with Matt Wilcox, he laid out my prospective career development if I were to join Marks Sattin.

I have always found the company has been extremely clear around what goals I need to meet to gain promotions and further develop. It definitely took me longer than I would have liked to settle in at Marks Sattin, but the leadership team were great in encouraging me and reassuring me that I was doing everything right, and there was never any doubt that I would achieve my goals.

My career definitely accelerated when Matt Fitzpatrick joined the business a year later. Our approach to business and goals for the Dublin office are closely aligned, and we work very well together. He helped me push myself forward, and in the next three years, I moved from Senior Consultant to Principal Consultant, and in August 2022, I secured a promotion to Manager.

How did you originally hear about Marks Sattin and what made you want to join us?

The Marks Sattin brand in Ireland was not well known when I joined the organisation, and I definitely bought in to the potential. The leadership team were all involved in my interview process, and I felt I gained buy-in from them very early on both a professional and personal level. During my notice period before joining, I had some personal issues happen. And when I went to the team to look for flexibility, it was given without question but with care.  I continued to feel cared for by the business, which has been essential to my success.

As I joined, we were going through some business changes, with GI Group Holdings coming onboard. But despite now being owned by one of the largest staffing businesses in the world, Marks Sattin has maintained the small brand feel, but has the benefit of huge corporate backing. In Dublin, we are a boutique consultancy. With that being said, there are massive opportunities for growth, and you have the opportunity to define a space for yourself and grow alongside the business.

What do you bring to the table as a member of the Dublin leadership team? 

What are your standout achievements or best moments with Marks Sattin?

There have been a few, so there's tricky to choose from! – My most recent promotion, which was announced at the review, gave me a real moment of pride! But there is no doubt that ranking as one of the top five billers in the company was a real achievement. The recognition, congratulations and rewards that go along with these are always appreciated. But if I had to look for my best moment so far, it sounds soft, but I have really enjoyed seeing the junior consultants grow and achieve their goals. 

How have you found working in a traditionally male dominated industry, and have you noticed any shifts throughout your career so far?

I have only started to recognise the male dominance in the past five years or so. Prior to this, I was working as a Senior Consultant, and the teams I worked on were quite diverse, so it wasn’t as prevalent. It was only when I looked to progress in my career and wanted to find a mentor in the business, at the middle management level, that I realised it was pretty bare. Since joining Marks Sattin, I have been given a lot of time by Female Senior Leaders in the organisation, and their advice and guidance has definitely helped me grow in my career. The company's target to have an even split between men and women in the business means I have an even bigger opportunity to grow my career and make an impact on the business. 

Do you have any advice specifically for women considering a career in recruitment?

Recruitment is one of the most rewarding careers.  As a woman, I like to believe that I am leaving positive actions in my wake. For me, that means I will strive for my impact to always be positive. I don’t believe that for one woman to succeed, another needs to fail. I recognise that by having more women in senior leadership roles, we can challenge the narrative and have a significant impact.  So, my best advice is to work hard and be an ally for other women. Look to take people on your journey – there is no need to lessen someone for you to grow. 

Lastly, apologise less! This one I am working on all the time, I hear myself apologise for things that no one needs an apology for and no one is to blame for. It’s part of my nature, but it’s a habit I am trying to break.

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