The confidence gained in her recruitment career, as well as her love of music, will stand Honey G in good stead following her exit from this year's X Factor, according to the ex-recruitment boss of a fellow famous former contestant on the TV talent show.

It turns out Honey G, the alter ego of Anna Georgette Gilford, managing director of recruitment firm ARG Search, isn't the only recruitment consultant to have appeared on the TV talent show. Olly Murs, who finished runner-up in the 2009 X Factor competition, previously worked for Witham-based recruitment agency Prime Appointments.

Commenting on the similarities between Murs and music graduate Honey G, Robyn Holmes, MD at Prime Appointments, pointed towards a love of music and the confidence needed to be a successful recruiter.

“Olly worked for us for four years. He went off travelling and then carried on temping for us while he was doing the X Factor.

“Personality-wise he was so confident. He always loved his music. Olly would be running around our office with headphones when he went out to lunch.”

She went on to say that confidence is the key, as the recruitment industry is driven by confident, outgoing people.

“Love of music and confidence. In a nice way, she's [Honey G] happy to be laughed at but enjoys people laughing with her and at her. Some people in different walks of life wouldn't be able to take that. It gives you a resilience to be knocked back but not take it personally.”

Lucy Fowler, director at Bishop Stortford-based agency RecruitAbility, who also worked with Murs when he was at Prime Appointments, added the agency's clients really loved him.

“He was really determined to be famous - that's what he wanted more than anything else. Clients loved him because he was as exactly as you see him on the TV - a really personable and engaging guy.”

And Holmes adds Murs hasn't forgotten his roots in recruitment. “He still pops in, so we keep in contact with him regularly - he nips into the office whenever he's home.”

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