Alexis Wilkie

Recruitment Consultant

Herd Digital

Alexis Wilkie, a recruitment consultant at Herd Digital, connects digital marketing leaders with the people who move their teams forward. He treats recruitment as relationship-building rather than transaction - mapping markets, reading what candidates leave unsaid, and staying close long after a placement is made. In this interview he shares the lessons that shaped his approach, how he keeps momentum in an unpredictable market, and where he sees recruitment heading.

A Discussion with...
Alexis Wilkie

What's one thing people should know about your role or your work?
Most of what I do happens behind the scenes. I spend time mapping markets, spotting movements in teams and understanding where talent is going before anyone else realises. Recruitment is not just filling roles. It is about building the right relationships so support is already in place when it is needed.
What lesson from your first job still guides you today?
At 18 I joined MBNA and Bank of America. Above every doorway was the line "Think of yourself as a customer." That stayed with me. Looking at things from someone else's point of view enables me to treat candidates as clients and to support my team in the same way. It keeps respect and clarity at the centre of everything.
What's one challenge you've successfully overcome recently?
The market has been unpredictable with slower hiring cycles. I have overcome that by tightening my processes, being more proactive with outreach and being selective about where time is spent.
Which skills have been most valuable to your success?
Consistency and organisation have been essential. I also rely on the ability to read what people are not saying which often tells me more than the words they use.
How do you see your profession evolving in the next few years?
Recruiters will need to focus on building real relationships and trust. As AI-driven outreach floods inboxes, human connections, referrals, and genuine engagement will be what truly makes the difference.
How would you describe your leadership style?
Straightforward communication and fairness guide most decisions. I would rather be honest about what is realistic than promise something that cannot be delivered. It builds trust quickly.
What accomplishment are you most proud of?
I am proud that people I placed years ago have grown into senior roles and now return to me for help with their own teams. It shows the relationship meant something and was not a quick transaction.
How do you hope to make an impact in the future?
My advice is to build your personal brand, attend events to meet people face to face, and focus on a candidate-driven market that is likely to be in demand in the future.