Meet Nichole Fitzgerald

Nichole’s focus is on providing exceptional service, developing a strong, customer focused team and delivering great outcomes for everyone she works with. Through forging long-term relationships combined with extensive knowledge and experience, Nichole and her team work tirelessly to provide the best agency experience to her clients and candidates.

With a commitment to continually provide a memorable, stress free recruitment experience, Nichole leads her team by mentoring, leading by example and coaching to ensure Aussie Locums is the career partner of choice for medical professionals.

When she isn’t working, Nichole loves nothing more than spending quality time with her family and friends and maybe a sneaky wine.

What do you love about Aussie Locums?

I love the culture we have created. The team truly go above and beyond in everything we do. I make it my mission to harness this passion and ensure it drives us to not only be an incredible team, but to make a real difference to our clients, candidates and the communities they support.

There is a deep respect not just for our clients, candidates and industry stakeholders, but also within our team. Creating a memorable and easy recruitment experience for everyone, together with upholding the integrity of the information we provide, is something that we pride ourselves on.

Regional and remote recruitment holds a special place in our hearts, which I think is down to the fact that we know how much of an impact our candidates and clients make with high quality medical services in these locations. Locums especially, underpin the provision of services in these areas and I am proud to say that my agency helps make this a reality.

What is your greatest source of enjoyment in recruitment?

The fact that every day is different whilst also making a meaningful impact on the delivery of healthcare in Australia, particularly regional and remote areas, is a huge part of why we do what we do. Sometimes our candidates are the reason a particular medical service can be provided. It warms my heart knowing that we’ve played an instrumental part in enabling that care.

Looking retrospectively, I love seeing my team thrive and be the best possible versions of themselves.

Where do you feel you add value to candidates who are looking for work?

Our value is demonstrated through the depth of knowledge we have of our candidates and our ability to match them to the best opportunities with our clients. We always aim to do what is best for our candidates and find them the perfect fit. We are expert negotiators and networkers, which gives us the edge in terms of knowing what’s happening in the marketplace. We know what opportunities are either currently available and also, which are likely to become available in the near future.

What advice would you give to candidates from overseas who are looking to work in Australia?

Australia is huge, with each state, city or town being completely different to the next. Medical professionals are needed all over Australia, not just in the cities, so I would encourage candidates from overseas to be flexible about where they want to work and to take a leap of faith by heading off the beaten track to experience regional and remote towns. People are often surprised at the variety of work available and how welcome they are made to feel, not to mention the landscape and hidden meccas that you would never see if you don’t give that regional gig a crack.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given in your career?

You have two ears and one mouth for a reason. As a recruiter, it is important to be excellent listeners so we can fully understand what our clients and candidates are looking for. When we listen actively, it is easier to spot opportunities and solve problems.

If you asked a client to describe you, what would they say?

Hopefully that I always go the extra mile and the candidates I find for them are of a high quality and meet their needs. I take ownership of all feedback, both the good and the bad and I never over promise. I am thorough, friendly and easy to get in contact with.

What is the most unusual assignment you have ever been asked to fill?

I can’t recall a particular assignment that I would consider the most unusual however, I have been asked to arrange locum accommodation where pets are welcome. We get to know our candidates exceptionally well. One candidate let me look after their beautiful pet pooch so that they could do a day tour while they were on assignment in Cairns. I think that is pretty unusual, but also quite special too.

Can you tell us about the most memorable moment of your career?

I was invited to a candidate’s wedding and her dad mentioned me in his speech. It was such a privilege and I still keep in touch with her all these years later. It was at that moment that I realised, we are not just recruiters, we are career partners and we make a difference to the lives of so many people.

Is there a client, candidate or project that stands out?

There are lots, but I do love it when a client becomes a candidate and a candidate becomes a client. It is such a strong reflection that they value our efforts and it is a huge compliment.

I take pride in watching my team grow in confidence and kick their own goals.