What does it really mean to lead in recruitment?

In this episode of How To Become A…, Grace sits down with Joe to unpack the journey from trainee consultant to billing leader, managing a high-performing team while still generating revenue yourself.

Joe explains what a “billing leader” actually is, why recruitment gets a bad reputation, and what it takes to build a sustainable career in one of the most competitive industries out there.

We cover:

• What a billing leader does day-to-day
• The difference between hands-on and hands-off leadership
• Starting out as a trainee consultant
• Facing seven rejections before landing the right role
• Cold calling, KPIs, and the grind of early recruitment life
• Building your first client base from scratch
• The reality of commission and targets
• Why mindset matters more than market conditions
• Managing performance dips and rejection
• Transitioning from biller to team leader

Joe also opens up about:

• The culture shift between UK and US recruitment
• Why recruitment has a “bad rep” — and what’s changing
• Supporting junior consultants through tough months
• The importance of flexibility and work-life balance
• How AI is reshaping the future of recruitment
• 
  

If you’re curious about recruitment, or wondering how to step up into leadership, this episode is a transparent look at the pressure, progression, and potential in the industry.

@jwoodlowe

🎙 How To Become A... explores real-life journeys behind the careers of everyday people. Each episode dives into the path of someone who's built success outside of the spotlight — no fame, no fortune, just real stories. Discover how they started, the challenges they faced, and what drives them forward. 💼✨

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share to help more people find their own path

📩 Got your own story to share? Contact us at [email protected]

📱Follow us on socials: @howtobecomea__

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.