This summer, we took the initiative to visit candidates who we successfully placed in positions in 2010. Our goal was to discover how they are getting along in their new roles after the job hunting process and to have them share their advice and knowledge



This week, we caught up with our candidate Sophie. Read our previous blog Job Hunting blog with our candidate Melissa!

Sophie’s Experience – One Year Later

What is your current job role?

Corporate Administrator

Was this the type of role you were initially looking for? If not, what changed?

Initially, I was looking for an Executive PA-type role, but due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to switch jobs 3 weeks into my 2-year potential contract. I am glad I did as the role CML subsequently placed me in was more challenging, learning new skills in areas I never dared venture into, i.e. hedge funds, as opposed to just the PA role.

Is your current job what you expected after job hunting?

Not initially, I thought it was straightforward admin, looking after overseas clients, but it has turned out to be much more than that.

How long did it take you to settle in? What did you do/with your company/and agency to help with this?

It must have taken me at least 6-9 months to feel completely home. Compared to big cities, the transport system is different. I didn’t have a full driver’s license and had to rely on local taxis. I was kindly advised soon after I arrived that one could hail down a minibus to get into town for a fraction of the cost. The social scene is more personal; everyone here knows everybody else, and people tend to get together more for social occasions. I don’t think there is a huge variety in shopping, but I have learnt that you can fly to Miami in an hour for a “power” shopping trip! 🙂

Was there anything, in particular, you did that you think helped you secure your new position/move to Cayman?

Having a fiancé who already lived and worked here helped. Louise Reed, also continuously plugged away at marketing my CV and kept me informed on who she had spoken to on a monthly basis and what was potentially in the pipeline. I think having language skills and over 10 years of work experience in a corporate environment helped as jobs are usually offered to local Caymanians first. Also, having Mauritius and Hong Kong in my background may have helped.

Is there any practical advice you would give people currently looking for work in the Cayman Islands?

Don’t bring your winter clothes unless your new job in Cayman expects you to go to New York or Canada during the winter months should you land a job. If you don’t like warm sunshine almost all year round, then I wouldn’t recommend Grand Cayman! If you do land a job, the contract is usually for up to 2 years, subject to renewal from what I understood. You must also have a clean police record and a clean bill of health. Learn new skills by online studying if it helps secure a particular job in Legal or Funds etc., which is what many jobs are in the Cayman Islands.

How would you describe your job hunting experience and, more specifically, working with an agency to find work?

It took 6 months to find my role, but I knew from the beginning that I wanted time to tie up loose ends in London before joining my fiancé in Grand Cayman. From day one, CML has been brilliant at communicating with me on what was happening or in the pipelines and, leading up to my final move here, has held my hand through all the formalities and paperwork to obtain a temporary contract. It has been relatively smooth with only minor hiccups, which were quickly recognized by CML and smoothed over/fixed.

Was this your first time using an agency? What made you approach and agency?

No, not my first time, as I had used agencies in both HK and London in the past. I approached CML because my fiancé highly recommended them.

Did your experience using CML change your perceptions of recruitment agencies?

I found CML more comprehensive in keeping me abreast of what was going on whilst I was trying to look for work during the 6 months I was looking and realistic on my expectations.

Antoinette, the office manager, is also lovely to speak with and very approachable on any queries I had, from work permit questions asking for reference letters to pension and health insurance matters. Fiona Meagher was also very helpful in sorting out the renewal of my work permit, what I needed to do, and where to go to obtain all the relevant long list of administrative paperwork involved. Past agencies made me feel like I was just a commodity to be exploited, throwing any old jobs at me to interview for which didn’t turn out to be suitable; CML listened to my wishes and needs and wants and allowed me to try out a new role outside my comfort zone that they knew I would be capable in fulfilling a role at my present job. 

Would you use an agency again? Would you use CML again?

Yes, I would use an agency again as it was CML who found me my current role, and it’s easier to use an agency when job hunting as they have more contacts they regularly keep in touch with. I would use CML again as Louise Reed knows her client’s needs and is also sensitive to potential recruiter’s needs in finding the perfect fit for you and the company. Louise has also been very good in advising me on what other courses I could take to help complement my current role and expand my CV. In fact, she is so good that I hope to gain a perm contract with my current role soon!

Be a part of our success stories! Make your job hunt easy by working with the CML Recruitment team. Don’t hesitate to contact the CML team at info@cml.ky for more information.