At Faststream Recruitment, we value the success of our employees and their hard work. We caught up with Holly Yates, Lead Consultant. In this interview, Holly shares an insight into her recruitment career, career highlights and the skills and tips that have led her to receive such a fantastic promotion.
When did you start your recruitment career and was it what you expected?
I began my career in recruitment with Faststream Recruitment by joining the Cruise Division in 2018. I had heard such positive feedback from friends that worked in recruitment, so I decided I wanted to give it a shot. Honestly, at first, I was quite apprehensive as it was such a big career change. Luckily, I had a vast amount of knowledge of the Cruise industry from my previous role and that helped me to settle into the team very quickly.
I’m not sure what I expected but I came in with an open mind, knowing that I wanted to be successful.
You have had a great career with Faststream – what has been your most memorable moment?
I would say placing a Hotel General Manager with one of our key clients. This was within my first six months of joining Faststream Recruitment and placing such a senior candidate into a role on a 6 Star Luxury Cruise Ship was not only memorable for me but the entire team.
You were personally chosen to visit one of the Viking River Cruise Ships to represent Faststream Recruitment and stay on the river cruise, experiencing the services first-hand. What was that like and how did it make you feel in your role?
I was very lucky to be given this opportunity and it was amazing. We were given the full onboard guest experience, from the exquisite cuisine to entertainment and shore excursions. It was such a fantastic experience and I will never forget it. I felt honoured to be invited by Viking to visit one of their luxury River Cruise Ships and meet their team in person, which enabled our professional relationship to grow.
We also met some of the crew, who work incredibly hard and it was great to experience first-hand what day to day life is like for crew members on board. I was then able to share that knowledge and experience with future candidates.
You started as a Cruise sector talent specialist and transitioned into Superyacht recruitment in 2020, what skills/traits do you credit to adapting to a new role, industry and team so quickly?
I have always been hungry for success and I am determined to do well in whatever I put myself into. I am very passionate about my career, so I think when you have a genuine passion for something it shines through and you will naturally do well.
Also, I love meeting new people and learning from other successful consultants; I took the transition into the Superyacht industry in my stride. I have loved every minute of it. To be honest, it wasn’t the smoothest journey at the start because I joined the team in the middle of the global COVID-19 pandemic, but being an optimistic person, I looked at the positives and considered what I could learn from it. We have now come out the other side and as both individuals and a team, we have had a very successful year.
What skills would you say that you implemented to achieve your promotion?
I had been working towards my promotion for a while and I set myself a goal to achieve it within a certain time frame, so I knew I had to push myself. I know that I have become even more resilient and used my determination to ensure I succeeded. There is always healthy competition within the team and the wider business, which I used to my advantage to ensure that I was always pushing myself that little bit further, to better myself in my career.
How do you think that you have progressed since starting with us in 2018?
I have learnt so much and I have built upon my skills to adapt to the industry. In particular, working through the pandemic has taught me a lot and shown me that hard work, determination and the right attitude always pays off.
From the day I started, I knew that I was going to love working here and I am looking forward to seeing my career progress even further at Faststream Recruitment.
What would be your top tip for anyone starting a career in recruitment?
Be resilient but also patient. Your hard work will pay off, sometimes it takes a bit of time but by sticking at it and being creative with your work strategies you will do well. You also have to want to succeed, the drive for this will take you in the right direction.
What would your top tip be for someone wanting to progress in their role?
Think outside the box and think about what else you can do to push yourself that little bit further, to become the most successful version of yourself.
If you're interested in a career with Faststream, please get in touch by filling out the form below.
Latest Insights
View All InsightsWhy Singapore's Best Maritime Commercial Professionals Rarely Change Jobs
Singapore remains one of the world's leading maritime centres, attracting global shipowners, operators, commodity traders, maritime technology businesses and service providers. Yet for employer...
Should You Hire the Best CV or the Best Candidate?
The strongest hiring decisions look beyond the CV to identify candidates with the capability, potential and qualities to succeed over the long term. Key Takeaways A close match between a CV and a j...
How Maritime Companies Can Test New Markets Without Setting Up a Local Entity
International expansion has always been part of the maritime industry's growth story. Whether it's supporting offshore wind developments, entering emerging shipping markets or growing your ...
Is Your Maritime Recruitment Model Becoming Too Complex?
As maritime organisations grow, recruitment often becomes more complex than anyone intended. A shipping company that once relied on a single trusted recruitment partner may now work with different ...
Should You Set Up a Local Entity or Use an Employer of Record? A Guide for Maritime Employers
International growth creates exciting opportunities, whether you're entering a new offshore wind market, supporting a vessel mobilisation, or expanding your commercial footprint into a new regi...
Why Candidate Experience Has Become a Commercial Advantage in Maritime Recruitment
Finding and securing skilled maritime professionals has become increasingly competitive. Whether you're hiring for technical, operational, commercial or leadership positions, the strongest cand...
Why Maritime Executive Searches Fail in Asia-Pacific: Seven Common Causes
Leadership appointments can shape the future direction of a maritime business. The right hire can support growth, strengthen commercial performance, lead transformation initiatives, and create last...
The Growth Challenges Maritime Leaders Can Actually Control
Most maritime businesses want to grow. Whether the goal is entering new markets, expanding fleets, investing in digital technologies or strengthening customer relationships, growth remains a priori...
Confidential Recruitment in Maritime: Why Discretion Matters More Than Ever
From leadership succession and market expansion to business transformation, confidential hiring has become an increasingly important strategy for maritime employers across the Asia-Pacific. Most re...
Who Will Replace the Global Maritime Leaders? The International Experience Gap Emerging in US Maritime
For years, conversations about maritime talent have focused on labour shortages, skills gaps and succession planning. Yet another challenge may be quietly emerging across the maritime industry: a g...
How Maritime Employers Can Strengthen Hiring Outcomes
Maritime recruitment has become increasingly competitive across shipowners and managers, particularly for technical, operational and commercial roles where specialist talent remains limited. As hir...
Singapore Maritime Technology Recruitment Trends: Hiring & Expansion Across Asia Pacific
Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a key hub for maritime technology recruitment across the Asia Pacific, as SaaS providers, OEMs, maritime advisory firms, and shipping technology bu...