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Career Q&A: Michael Fitzgerald, Head of Data & Development at Cpl

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Michael is Cpl Technology’s head of Data & Development, who manages the Software Development, Business Intelligence and Data Analytics Team within Cpl’s Technology division.

With Cpl since 2012, Michael specialises in placing contractors in the niche area of Business Intelligence and Data Analytics and has a proven track record delivering talent in this area.

We recently spoke to Michael about how he entered the recruitment industry, what career lessons he’s picked up along the way and emerging trends in the Data Analytics space.

How did you enter the technology recruitment field? What is your background?

I graduated from Dublin Business School in 2008 with an Honours Degree in Marketing. After finishing my studies, with the economy the way it was, I decided to travel to Australia to live and work. I spent some time travelling before settling in Sydney.

It was in Sydney where I began talking to a few people who worked in recruitment and my initial interest started. I knew I wanted to work in some sort of a sales role, but I also wanted to work with people. Recruitment offered both.

After learning what the day to day of a recruiter looked like I decided it was the route I wanted to take. I then started working in Sydney as a Junior Consultant for a boutique agency that specialised in Tech recruitment.

How did your journey start in Cpl?

I returned to Ireland in 2012 with almost 3 years of recruitment experience. I learned very quickly about the recruitment scene in Dublin and met with a few different agencies before joining Cpl.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

My biggest success has been growing out the Data team in Cpl. I started as a consultant and over the past few years I have moved into a Senior Role, then Team Lead and I now manage a team of 11 recruiters across Development and Data.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about the tech field?

The most important thing is that it’s a niche market in Dublin. Your reputation and the relationships you build with your candidates and clients are the most important things. Good relationships are what will set you aside from the competition.

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned about yourself along the journey?

I have learned that I have a huge amount of resilience. You need to be resilient to be successful in recruitment, or any industry. I have also learned the knack of looking at the bigger picture.

Building genuine relationships doesn’t happen overnight and sometimes a slow and steady approach works best.

What are the big trends in the tech industry right now?

We’re seeing a huge amount of work in the Data Analytics space. Traditionally we would have done a lot of work in the Datawarehouse and Business Intelligence area, mainly with Financial services companies or large Tech organisations. Now, it’s mainly SME’s coming to us looking for Data Analytics resources in order to get the best use of their data.

Any interesting facts about yourself?

I’m sports-mad. I regularly go to Manchester to watch Man Utd play and I’m a massive fan. In my spare time, I play golf and I also love travelling.

What’s the best advice you can give someone when entering this field?

The best piece of advice I can give is to be prepared for things to go wrong, be honest with yourself and put the hard work in. It will pay off.

I would also recommend anyone entering the field to join an organisation that will support them in their first year and that offers a clear career path.

If you’re interested in learning more about Data Analytics roles in Ireland get in touch with Michael, or if you’d like to learn more about working with Cpl contact our dedicated talent acquisition specialists Carol or Jennifer.