Basic details
Name: Kyle Wagner
Job: Recruitment manager, Condé Nast UK and Condé Nast International HQ
Current employer: Condé Nast
CV in brief:
- Recruitment manager, Condé Nast UK and Condé Nast International HQ, 2012 – Present
- Senior recruitment executive, Gordon Yates Limited, 2011 – 2012
- Graduate recruitment specialist/internal recruiter, SQS (UK) Group Limited, 2011
- Recruitment executive/training coordinator, Gordon Yates Limited, 2007 – 2011
A day in your life
Tell us about your job and organisation.
I oversee the recruitment and selection process to ensure Condé Nast UK attracts and recruits suitable applicants for identified vacancies. Recruiting for all roles across the UK titles; Vogue, House & Garden, Brides, Tatler, GQ, GQ Style, The World of Interiors, Vanity Fair, Condé Nast Traveller, Condé Nast Johansens, Glamour and Wired.
In Britain, Condé Nast has 13 print magazines with accompanying websites, as well as tablet and smartphone apps. We also run the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design and own the Condé Nast Johansens luxury travel guides, site and app too.
Who do you report into?
HR director, Condé Nast UK
Tell us about your team.
The HR team at Condé Nast UK consists of 7 people. We are a very generalist team and have our fingers in many different pies.
What is the most rewarding part of your role?
Helping people get their dream job in publishing. Filling vacancies is so rewarding for me. Finding the best talent for an organisation like Condé Nast is priceless.
What is the most challenging part of the role?
Making sure that every hiring manager has equal attention.
What does a typical day look like for you?
No day is the same but if I had to summarise:
First thing I do in the morning when I wake up is check and reply to my emails. Once I arrive at work, I make to do lists for what needs to be done for that particular day. I meet with hiring managers to discuss their team/departments needs, I advertise active vacancies, I review all applications that have come in over the past 24 hours, after which, I actively source candidates in the market and make sure that I am interviewing the best of the best. Sourcing talent in the UK market these days can be tough, but it is certainly worth the search when you know you can secure an excellent find!
Why did you choose your current organisation to work for?
I have followed Condé Nast and its brands since I was young. I can honestly say that working for CN as a recruitment manager is my dream job!
Perks and downsides of your role?
If I told you, I would have to kill you.
What skills are essential for the role you’re in?
Recruitment professionals have a range of skills acquired from different roles. Having come from an agency and internal recruitment background has been a massive advantage in my current role – you get to understand how talent is sourced from both sides.
Career path
How did you get to where you are now?
Networking!
What were your best subjects in school? What and where did you study?
Physiology and geography were my best subjects in school, and I studied marketing in South Africa.
What was your first job? How did you get it and why did you choose to work there?
My first job was a teaching assistant at a school for children with special needs. I have grown up around children all my life. My mum owns her own nursery school and my sister has worked with special needs children most of her life. I knew I would learn so much from these children, and I did.
Have you followed the career path you set out to?
No. I never thought I would end up in recruitment but I am so glad that I have.
What challenges have you faced along the way? How did you overcome them?
Trying to impress everyone. I came to the realisation that I needed to be myself and not analyse everything. It makes life and work so much easier.
What’s the craziest thing you’ve done to land a job?
I sound so boring, but nothing out of the ordinary.
What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?
Walking through the revolving doors of Vogue House, on my first day, back in March 2012.
Do you have any career regrets?
No.
What advice would you offer to others who are looking to get to where you are now?
Find your dream company and your dream job and make it a life mission to get it!
What advice would you give to your 22-year-old self?
Don’t stress so much! Life is too short.
Either/or
- Coffee or tea? Neither. Unless it’s a herbal tea made with love
- Jam or marmalade? Neither again. Can’t handle the texture
- The Beatles or The Rolling Stones? Silly question. Always The Beatles
- Mac or PC? I have a PC with a Mac keyboard and mouse. Can I say both?
- The Guardian or The Times? The Guardian – the content is more riveting
- BBC or ITV? BBC for sure
- M&S or Waitrose? Ha, I knew this one would come up. I am a Waitrose fan, I am not going to lie
- Morning or night? Night, you can drink wine in the evening
- Rain on snow? Snow, it’s more romantic
- Sweet or savoury? Are you trying to make me choose between chocolate and a good Italian pizza? Don’t even try!
Favourites
- App: Kabbee – who knows where I would be without Kabbee!
- TV show: Made in Chelsea. Did I just say that?
- Band: Empire of the Sun
- Song: Brain from Banks
- Book: I am not a book reader. I read magazines. Vanity Fair would have to be at the top of my list
- Sports team: Don’t hate me, I don’t follow sport anymore
- Thing to do on a Friday night: Having a glass (or 3) of red with friends!
- Place to eat: The London Edition – Berners Tavern
- Holiday spot: My parent’s poolside in South Africa
- Piece of advice you’ve been given: Smile, it confuses people