Kelly Rose

My love of travel started at the tender age of 16 when I went to college to study languages and travel & tourism. Upon completion of my studies, the draw was definitely anything travel and I completed a number of work experiences abroad which later turned into a love for travelling and exploring new destinations and cultures.

Closely following the end of my college courses, I was determined to get my foot in the door with a good travel agency that would give me training, performance related pay, a fun environment and potential progression for my future.

As I dropped my CV in at Going Places, I was determined to make sure I was memorable and talk about my potential - after all, there wasn’t much on my CV and I didn't really have any experience for the job. Never did I realise that I would be selling in potential candidates to travel companies later on in life too!

I worked my way up to assistant manager and finally retail branch manager, and at this point I decided I would take time out spending a season repping in Parga, Greece, which I thoroughly enjoyed - no ambition to ever do it again though!

Upon my return from overseas, I worked in the HR department at M&S (fab job, but it wasn't sales and it wasn't travel) and then First Choice for 2 years, before finally settling in to travel recruitment.

Starting off as a C&M candidate who didn't know what she wanted to work as and thought that the major cities were too far to commute to, I now travel to our Manchester office. Sales, travel and a little HR thrown in too - I love the feeling of achievement from helping candidates gain the career they really want!

Year started in travel / recruitment: 1998

Favourite destination: Depending on what day you catch me, it would be a close call between Hawaii and Thailand - pure relaxation and complete culture