From career change to promotion in six months: Melissa Amadasun
posted 08 Apr 26
In this month’s Consultant Career Story, we feature Melissa Amadasun, a Consultant in Henderson Scott’s Legal team.
Joining with no prior recruitment experience, Melissa progressed from Associate Consultant to Consultant within her first six months, quickly building momentum in legal recruitment. Here, she shares what led her into recruitment, what’s driven her early success, and what she’s learned along the way.
Can you tell us about your background before joining Henderson Scott, and what led you to move into recruitment?
I studied law at both undergraduate and master’s level, so I’ve always had a strong interest in the legal space. Alongside that, I gained experience with organisations like the BBC and Legal Cheek, which helped me build strong communication skills.
I also worked as a makeup artist, which might seem different, but it taught me a lot about connecting with people and building relationships. When I looked at what I enjoyed most, legal recruitment felt like a natural fit. It allowed me to stay close to the legal market while using those interpersonal skills day to day.
What made you choose Henderson Scott?
Henderson Scott stood out to me because of its strong focus on development and progression.
It was clear people were given the opportunity to grow quickly, and that really mattered to me. I wanted to join a business where effort is recognised and where there’s a clear route to progress, especially in a market I’m genuinely interested in.
You’ve been promoted within your first six months. What do you think has helped you progress so quickly?
A lot of it comes down to consistency, mindset, and backing myself.
Recruitment has highs and challenges, and being able to stay focused through both has been important. Having a strong sense of perspective has helped me stay grounded and positive, even when things don’t go to plan.
The environment has also made a big difference. I’ve had strong support from my manager and team, as well as structured training, which helped me build confidence quickly. Coming in without recruitment experience, it’s shown me how much you can achieve with the right mindset and support around you.
What support or training have you received?
I had structured training from the talent development team, which gave me a really strong starting point and helped me understand the fundamentals quickly.
From there, a lot of my learning has come from working closely with my manager and team day to day. Being able to ask questions, get regular feedback, and learn as you go has made a big difference to my confidence and how quickly I’ve been able to improve.
It’s a good balance of formal training and hands-on support, which has helped me build momentum early on.
What does a typical day in Legal recruitment look like, and what do you enjoy most about the specialism?
There’s a structure to the role, but no two days are the same.
A typical day involves business development, speaking with clients, sourcing and representing candidates, and managing processes through to completion. But what makes it interesting is the variety. You’re constantly meeting different people, working on different roles, and adapting to what’s happening in the market.
There are moments where things don’t go to plan, but that’s part of the job. Those experiences build resilience and push you to improve.
For me, that’s what makes legal recruitment enjoyable. It’s fast-paced, people-focused, and always developing.
What advice would you give to someone considering a move into recruitment or joining Henderson Scott?
Don’t let a lack of experience hold you back.
I came into recruitment without a background in it, and within six months I’d progressed and built real momentum. That’s a reflection of the environment as much as anything.
If you’re willing to learn, stay consistent, and put the work in, there’s a real opportunity to build something quickly. Henderson Scott gives you the support and structure to do that, but you also need to back yourself and take ownership of your progress.
Interested in building your own career story with Henderson Scott?  Explore our current opportunities. 
Want to hear more about life at Henderson Scott?  Read Thomas’s story progression and reward in Sales & Marketing recruitment.
