In the latest edition of our Human Resources, Human Recruiters series, we speak to Eoghan Dalton, Principal Recruitment Consultant in our Leinster office. Here, Eoghan reveals how his path into the industry helps him succeed in his role.
Eoghan Dalton believes his experience of struggling to find work after university has equipped him with the empathy and skill required to effectively support clients and candidates on their own employment journeys.
The Co. Westmeath native joined Collins McNicholas in 2017 as a recruitment consultant in the commercial department. “I know what it’s like to be someone looking for work and applying for jobs. I spent some time, particularly after graduating, searching for employment. I take my experiences from that period and use them to help candidates and clients,” he explains.
Eoghan had worked part-time in his mother’s coffee shop throughout his studies. However, a need for permanent, full-time work led him to apply for various positions between his hometown of Moate and Limerick. He was satisfied when he was offered an operations role at a student village in the Treaty County.
“I enjoyed the student village, but it wasn’t a long-term option. I stayed for 18 months and then wanted to see a bit of the world, so I went travelling,” he adds.
In 2015, Eoghan departed for South Korea to work as an English teacher in the city of Daegu. His year in East Asia was typical of an Irishman abroad, spending time learning about local culture and cuisine, socialising, and playing Gaelic games with the Irish diaspora.
He returned in 2016 and began working with public sector organisations, helping jobseekers craft their CVs, draft cover letters, and deal with employers – an experience that helped him land a role with Collins McNicholas.
“The team at Collins McNicholas are fantastic. We all have years of service under our belts and it really helps both clients and candidates. The team gets on really well. We understand each other and we trust each other and it creates a great bond,” he says.
The father of two maintains a busy and active lifestyle outside work. Once a Westmeath club championship winner with Moate All-Whites, he now lives and played football in his wife’s home county of Tipperary with local club Ballina GAA, winning back-to-back county titles before recently calling time on his career.
Free of the rough and tumble of competitive football, he now enjoys the physical and mental endurance test of trail running. This summer, he hopes to complete the 50km Portumna Forest Marathon in Galway and, later in the year, a two-day mountain challenge in the Mourne Mountains.
“It can be really demanding, but I love it. In 2024 I stopped playing football so this has given me something new to look forward to. I train hard and it’s something I’m passionate about. I hope to complete the Mourne Mountain Marathon again this year. It’s unique in that it’s a two-day event and you’re completely self-sufficient. You carry your tent, your food, water – everything,” he explains.
Looking forward, Eoghan is determined to continue supporting his clients and candidates in an ever-evolving employment landscape. Drawing on his professional and personal experiences to date, he remains focused on delivering a supportive, people-first approach to recruitment.
Connect with Eoghan Dalton today through Linkedin.
