This week our Fetchie spotlight is on our born and bred Irishman Barry O'Donovan! Barry joined us in late 2019 and has fit in seamlessly with his team first and go-to attitude, he genuinely just wants to help the people around him whether it be his teammates, clients or candidates, Barry strives to understand people's needs and wants to help achieve their goals. Outside of work, Barry loves to explore Australia with weekend camping trips, winery/brewery adventures or shorts stays interstate.
Name: Barry O’Donovan
Position: BDM
Time in Role: Just under 2 years
Tell us a bit about your career to date and how you got into recruitment.
I came from a heavy sales background, while in college I was a deputy manager of a sports store back home in Ireland. I then moved onto a BDM role with Coca Cola, moved to Dublin and worked within the pub and hotel licence trade sector. Not so long ago, myself and my partner decided to move to Australia and I somehow managed to get called for a recruitment role and got the job – it wasn’t planned but honestly it has been the best role I’ve ever worked.
What’s your favourite thing about working at Fetch?
There’s so much to like, the location is amazing, it’s a 10-minute tram from home and aside from actually enjoying going into work, it would have to be the autonomy. I have the support/guidance if and when I need it but I don’t have anyone hovering over me, constantly checking up on me, at the end of the day we all want to succeed here.
What’s one thing you wish people knew about recruitment / your industry?.
Sometimes recruitment/recruiters are painted in a bad light which may be true for a small portion out there, but anyone that I’ve ever worked with has always put their best foot forward when representing a client or candidate. There’s a reason why we do what we do – we’re either trying to help a candidate secure that dream job of theirs or promote a fantastic opportunity that a client has asked us to recruit for. People don’t see that excitement or buzz when we pair those candidates with those roles.
Number 1 career highlight to date?
Hard to name just one – but I suppose making the move over to Australia, landing in Melbourne and luckily landing a recruitment role has to be up there.
Your life mantra is / Your philosophy on life is / The words you live by are…
It’s not really a mantra but for me, resilience is key and something you need in life. All you need is that one chance to show what you can do and are capable of doing.
Which celebrity would play you in the movie of your life?
Easy. My fellow salt & pepper comrade – George Clooney.
If you were on death row, what would be your last meal?
I hate these questions, I hate confining myself to just one meal – but I’d have to go for a chilli scramble on dark rye with a side crispy bacon (I’ve developed notions since moving to Melbs)
Name three things right now you are grateful for.
My partner who’s always supported me
My friends, family and my dog Blue
Living in Melbourne
Tell us a #FunFact about you!
I am easily led astray on nights out and I have the tattoo to prove it
