Nine Years of Growth: Cherlyn’s Journey Through Recruitment at Reeracoen

Every career journey begins somewhere. Sometimes, it begins with a carefully planned decision. Other times, it starts with an unexpected opportunity.

For Cherlyn, her journey with Reeracoen Malaysia began in a rather unexpected way. What started as a job search in Penang eventually led her to become one of the pioneers of Reeracoen’s Penang team, take on different roles, explore an opportunity outside the company, and ultimately return as a Talent Acquisition professional.

After almost nine years with Reeracoen, Cherlyn has experienced recruitment in Malaysia from both sides — first supporting candidates and clients as a Career Advisor and Recruitment Advisor, and now helping build the Reeracoen team as an Internal Talent Acquisition professional.

In this employee spotlight, Cherlyn shares her career growth journey, what she looks for when hiring, the moments that have made recruitment meaningful, and what has kept her growing with Reeracoen over the years.

From an Unexpected Opportunity to Nine Years of Growth

Can you briefly introduce yourself and your role at Reeracoen? How long have you been with the company, and what attracted you to join us initially?

Hello, I'm Cherlyn! I'm currently a Talent Acquisition professional at Reeracoen, and I have been with Reeracoen for almost nine years now!

I was actually one of the pioneers of the Penang team, together with two of my colleagues. I started my journey with Reeracoen as a Career Advisor, before moving into a Recruitment Advisor role. Then, I took a one-year break from Reeracoen to explore an opportunity with another company, and eventually returned to Reeracoen as a Talent Acquisition professional.

What’s interesting is that I didn’t actually apply to join Reeracoen in the first place! At that time, I was looking for a job in Penang, so I reached out to Reeracoen Malaysia for help with my job search, as Reeracoen is a recruitment agency. Instead of helping me find a job with another company, they introduced me to an opportunity within Reeracoen itself! 😂 They were planning to open a new branch in Penang and were looking for people to be part of the new team.

At that time, I thought, “Why not?”

It felt like a rare opportunity. How often do you get the chance to join a new branch and be part of building something from the ground up?

So, I decided to take the opportunity! Looking back, I am really glad that I made that decision. My journey with Reeracoen has taken me through different roles and experiences, and it has given me so many career development opportunities to learn, grow, and discover different sides of myself along the way.

More Than Skills: Hiring for Attitude and Values

As an Internal Talent Acquisition professional, what qualities or characteristics do you usually look for when hiring candidates to join the Reeracoen team?

Being an internal TA feels quite different from being a recruiter in an agency. When I was recruiting for clients, my focus was always on finding the right person for the role and making sure both the candidate and client were happy. But when I became an internal TA, I realised that I was not just filling a position — I was helping to build the Reeracoen team.

At Reeracoen, we have something called the “Reeracoen 6 Ways”, which are the core values we strongly believe in:

• Be Positive
• Chance, Challenge, Change
• I Am Here for You
• Be Professional
• Never Never Give Up, Do for the Best
• Respect Each Other

So, when I am hiring someone to join our team, I naturally look for people who demonstrate these values, not just someone who has the right skills or experience.

Working in a recruitment agency in Malaysia can be challenging. We work with many different positions and clients, and we also have sales targets to achieve. There are times when things don’t go as planned, candidates reject our offers, clients reject our candidates, or we face difficult situations that require us to think of another way forward.

That is why, for me, attitude is very important.

I look for people who can stay positive when things get tough, who are willing to take on challenges and learn from them, and who do not give up easily when they face rejection. I also value people who are willing to support their colleagues. In recruitment, we work very closely as a team, so when someone needs help, I believe we should be there for each other.

At the same time, being professional and having a willingness to keep learning are equally important. Recruitment is a people-oriented industry, but it is also a business. We need to understand our clients, our candidates, and the job market, while continuously improving ourselves.

Ultimately, I’m not looking for someone who is “perfect”. I’m looking for someone who has the right attitude, is willing to learn, can work well with others, and is prepared to keep going even when things don’t always go their way.

Because skills can be developed, but having the right mindset and values is something that can make a real difference to the team.

When Recruitment Becomes Part of Someone’s Story

Can you share a memorable hiring experience or success story that you are proud of?

I think one of the most memorable parts of being an internal TA is not necessarily the moment when someone accepts an offer, but seeing what happens after they join.

One of the things I am most proud of is having the opportunity to hire fresh graduates or people at the very beginning of their careers, and then watching them grow over the years.

When you first meet a candidate, you may only see their potential. You don't always know how far they will go. But after they join, it’s really rewarding to see them gradually become more confident, take on new responsibilities, move into different roles, and sometimes even grow into strong leaders.

I have had the chance to see some of the people I hired go through that journey, and I think that is one of the most fulfilling parts of my role. It reminds me that recruitment is not just about filling a vacancy. Sometimes, you are giving someone their first opportunity, and that opportunity can become the starting point of their career.

For me, that is what makes hiring meaningful. You may only play a small part in someone's journey, but it’s really nice to look back and think, “I remember when we first met, and look at where you are now.”

Seeing people grow is something that makes me feel both proud and happy of the work I do as a TA. 😀

A Workplace Where People Can Keep Growing

From your perspective, what makes Reeracoen a great place for people to build their careers?

I think one of the things that makes Reeracoen a great place to build your career is the opportunity to grow and try different things.

I am probably the best example of this. Over the years, I have had the opportunity to take on different roles and responsibilities, and I have been given the space to explore and challenge myself in different areas.

I think a big part of that comes from having supportive managers and a management team that is open to new ideas and willing to listen. If you have an idea, you can share it, and they are willing to hear you out and, where possible, allow you to try it. I really appreciate that because it makes you feel that your ideas and opinions are valued. That trust and support have encouraged me to step outside my comfort zone, take on new challenges, and discover what I am capable of. I think it is very important when you are trying to grow your career in Malaysia.

I also think the people make a big difference. We work very closely as a team, and there are times when work can be challenging. But having colleagues who are willing to support each other makes those challenges much easier to overcome. You never really feel like you have to figure everything out on your own.

For me, building a career is not just about getting promoted or moving into a higher position. It’s about having opportunities to learn, being surrounded by good people, having managers who are willing to listen, and being given the chance to discover what you are capable of.

After almost nine years with Reeracoen, I think that’s what has kept me here. There is always something new to learn, someone new to meet, and another challenge to take on.

Growing Through People, Challenges and Experience

How has working at Reeracoen helped you grow professionally and personally?

I think Reeracoen has shaped me quite a lot, both professionally and personally. When I first joined, I was still very junior, and over the years, being exposed to different people, responsibilities, and situations has really changed the way I look at work and relationships.

One of the biggest things I have learned is how important it is to understand people. Whether I’m speaking with a candidate, a client, a manager, or my own colleagues, everyone has different needs, concerns, and expectations. Working in different roles has taught me to listen more, ask the right questions, and try to understand where the other person is coming from before I respond.

It has also helped me become much more confident. There were definitely times when I had to step outside my comfort zone, whether it was speaking to clients, discussing service agreements, advising them on candidates, or having conversations with management about what the team needs. Over time, I became more comfortable expressing my thoughts, giving advice, and even challenging ideas when I felt there was a better approach.

Today, as an Internal TA, I need to look at things from a wider perspective: what the business needs, what management is looking for, and what our employees and teams need to be successful.

I think all these experiences have shaped the way I work today. I’m more confident, more open-minded, and more willing to look at things from different perspectives. And personally, I think I have become more patient and understanding when dealing with people, become a better communicator and listener, and I hope, a better person to work with.

Advice for Those Considering a Career at Reeracoen

What advice would you give to candidates who are considering joining Reeracoen?

I would say, come with an open mind and be ready to learn.

If you’re considering joining Reeracoen, I think it’s important to know that we genuinely care about our people and their growth. You won’t always have everything figured out from the beginning, and that’s okay. What matters is that you’re willing to learn, take on challenges, and keep improving. If you have the motivation to grow, I believe there are people here who are willing to support you and help you along the way.

Working in recruitment means dealing with different people, different industries, and different challenges every day. There will be good days, but there will also be days when things don’t go according to plan. What matters is how you respond to those situations and what you learn from them.

And lastly, don’t be afraid to make mistakes. We’re not expected to get everything right from day one. Sometimes, you learn the most from the things that don’t go as planned. What’s important is that you learn from your mistakes, keep improving, and don’t let them stop you from trying again.

After almost nine years with Reeracoen, I can honestly say that this is a place where you are given the space to learn, challenge yourself, and grow alongside the people around you. If that’s the kind of environment that you are looking for, I would definitely encourage you to take the opportunity and see where the journey takes you!

Final Thoughts

Cherlyn’s story is a reminder that career journeys do not always begin with a clear plan. Sometimes, an unexpected opportunity can become the start of something much bigger.

From joining Reeracoen as part of the pioneering Penang team, to experiencing different roles, stepping outside her comfort zone, exploring a different company and eventually returning as an Internal Talent Acquisition professional, Cherlyn’s journey reflects the value of staying open to learning and new possibilities.

Her experience also highlights something at the heart of recruitment: people are more than the roles they are hired for. With the right opportunity, support and mindset, a candidate can continue to grow, take on new challenges and build a meaningful career.

At Reeracoen, we believe that finding the right talent is not only about filling vacancies. It is about connecting people with opportunities where they can contribute, develop and grow.

And sometimes, the beginning of that journey starts with simply saying: “Why not?”