Meet Michael O'Brien | I AM CMcN

We are very lucky to work in an environment where open and honest communication is the norm, innovation is encouraged and acted upon and customer service with clients and candidates is paramount to everything that we do

Our 'I AM CMcN' series puts the spotlight on our team at Collins McNicholas to allow you to get to know them better. We are proud of all our teams, the work they do and the community feel we have developed in our company.

This first article introduces you to Michael O'Brien, Branch Manager, Munster region.

Q.1 What is your job title, and what do you do?

I am the Manager for the Munster Region of Collins McNicholas and have the pleasure of managing a great team of consultants who are dotted across the province. I also specialise in Human Resources and Mid-Senior Level Accountancy recruitment as well as managing large-scale RPO projects (Talent Partner). This is my 9th year with Collins McNicholas, having started out as a Commercial Recruitment Consultant in the summer of 2014 – it seems like only yesterday when I packed up the car in Dublin to return to the real capital!

Q.2 Why did you get into recruitment?

While I really enjoyed my time with Bank of America in Dublin and met some great people, the time came to return home to Cork. With the move I took the opportunity to re-direct my career – I studied HR at the University of Limerick and was always interested in going down that route at some point. After speaking with some friends who worked in agency recruitment, I decided to focus my job search in that area and haven’t looked back since.

Q.3 What is your favourite thing about working at Collins McNicholas?

The people and the culture across the whole group. We are very lucky to work in an environment where open and honest communication is the norm, innovation is encouraged and acted upon and customer service with clients and candidates is paramount to everything that we do (we sit in the World Class category for our NPS which is something we are all very proud of). We tend to have good fun when we get together as a group as well!

Michael O'Brien and his wife and sons — Michael, his wife Gerarda & sons Daniel (L) and Calean (R)

Q.4 What did you want to grow up to be as a kid?

Professional soccer player with Liverpool – later in life I wanted to be the next Richard Branson. One of those ships has definitely sailed at this stage!

Q.5 What was your funniest/weirdest job?

In Australia, we had our fair share of unconventional jobs, but waterproofing and picking cherry tomatoes stand out.

Q.6 Favourite holiday destination to date?

South Africa – I have been lucky to have done a decent amount of travel over the years, but I would say our honeymoon in South Africa was number one. We started out in Cape Town and made our way down the Garden Route, finishing off with a safari (I would recommend leaving this until last!). It was like four holidays in one – city life, beach life, Winelands and safari. Honourable mention to Cuba, and I will always have a soft spot for Oz!

Q.7 The last film you watched or book you read?

The Banshees of Inisherin – a lot of mixed opinions on it, but I liked it. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson are a great double act. I'm currently in the middle of Pep Lijnders' book – Intensity. Pep is the Assistant Manager at Liverpool, and yes, Liverpool are lacking a lot of intensity at the moment!

If you're interested in working with Michael to recruit talent or want to apply to one of his open roles, then you can find all of his details here: www.collinsmcnicholas.ie/consultants/michael-obrien