From Setbacks to Success: Ruby's Story
Client
Daikin Applied
Skills
Permanent Recruitment
Finding the right start isn’t always straightforward, but with the right support, it can make all the difference.
When Ruby Lewell graduated, she assumed the path into her engineering career would be relatively smooth. Like many graduates, she quickly discovered otherwise. Applications went unanswered, responses were scarce, and the process felt increasingly impersonal. Despite her qualifications and ambition, breaking into the industry felt harder than she’d anticipated.
“I applied to a range of roles and graduate schemes, often without receiving responses,” Ruby recalls. “It made the process feel quite impersonal at times.”
That’s when she connected with Zenith, and things began to change.
A Different Kind of Support
From her very first conversations with the Zenith team, Ruby noticed something different. Rather than being treated as just another candidate, she was listened to. The team took time to understand her background, her strengths, and crucially, where she actually wanted her career to go.
It was refreshing to speak directly with people who took the time to understand my background and career goals,"
Zenith helped Ruby better articulate her own skill set, identifying strengths she hadn’t fully recognised herself. Rather than putting her forward for anything available, the team took a targeted approach, focusing only on opportunities that genuinely suited both her experience and long-term ambitions. Support with her CV, interview preparation, and regular, clear communication helped transform what had been a frustrating experience into a structured, manageable process.
“Their consistent communication and personalised approach made a significant difference,” Ruby reflects. “They made what can often be a challenging and uncertain process feel far more positive.“
One Year On
Twelve months later, Ruby is thriving in a Process Engineering role, working on improving and optimising manufacturing processes, a varied, hands-on position that sees her collaborating across design, production, and quality teams every day.
Her first year has been packed with achievement. She completed a specialist manufacturing programme abroad, visited international sites to help align production processes across the business, and has been building a growing expertise in lean manufacturing and continuous improvement.
“It’s been a really rewarding first year,” she says. “I feel like I’ve developed a lot both professionally and personally.”
She’s also proud of something beyond the role itself, being a woman making her mark in manufacturing and engineering.
I'm really proud to be a woman working in this industry. Female representation is still growing, and being part of that progress is something I value."
Ruby's Advice for Anyone on the Job Hunt
For anyone currently in the position she was in a year ago, Ruby’s message is simple: don’t give up, and don’t do it alone.
Don't be discouraged if things don't happen as quickly as you expect. Focus on understanding your own strengths and what kind of role you actually want, and speak to people where possible. Having real conversations makes a huge difference compared to just submitting online applications."
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
Ruby’s story is a reminder that job searching can be tough, whether you’re just starting out, looking for a new challenge, or navigating a career change. Whatever your situation, you don’t have to do it alone. We take the time to understand you as an individual and work with you to find the right opportunity. If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to hear from you.
