From Molecular Biology to Recruitment: Routines, Resilience, and the Realities of Career Change
Welcome toThe MorePeople Podcast, where we share expert insights, personal journeys, and practical strategies shaping the recruitment world today. In this episode, Managing Director Richard Hanwell sits down with Senior Consultant Jordan Waobikeze to explore an unconventional career journey, the science behind high performance, and the ever-evolving world of talent acquisition.
Meet Jordan Waobikeze: From Molecules to Market
Jordan’s route into recruitment wasn’t exactly textbook. With a degree in molecular biology, he began his career in London’s fast-paced financial district. But the city grind soon lost its charm.
“I’d lived in London my whole life, and the novelty wore off. It’s claustrophobic, expensive and honestly, not where I saw my future,” says Jordan.
After a move to the Midlands and a classic case of “falling into recruitment,” Jordan eventually joined MorePeople, where he’s now helping drive the business forward on the commercial desk.
What Can a Science Degree Teach You About Recruitment?
While Jordan may not be using pipettes and petri dishes these days, his science background still serves him.
“Biology taught me about systems, body, mind, performance, and how to optimise them. And in recruitment, that’s vital. It’s a high-pressure sales environment. You need structure, resilience, and mental clarity.”
From sleep cycles to stress management, Jordan draws on biological insights to keep himself sharp in a role that can be emotionally volatile. It’s all about creating consistency in a chaotic world.
Building a High-Performance Routine: Sleep, Stress, and Ice Baths
Jordan is passionate about performance and not just at work. He’s developed a daily routine focused on regulating stress and staying grounded, starting with one very cold habit: ice baths.
“Two minutes every morning. It’s horrible at first, but it’s a natural hit of adrenaline and it sharpens your focus. After that, everything else in your day feels easier.”
Beyond the cold, Jordan also focuses on the health trifecta: sleep, diet, and exercise, with a few hacks like ashwagandha and beetroot juice thrown in.
“You can’t manage other people’s careers if your own day is in disarray. Clients and candidates both need you to be consistent, mentally and emotionally.”
Recruitment: More Than Just a Job
Richard and Jordan both touch on the emotional complexity of the recruitment industry. Whether someone’s switching careers or a client is hiring under pressure, the stakes are always high.
“We meet people in what’s often the most stressful moment of their professional lives,” Jordan notes. “Our job is to stay calm, steady, and guide them through it.”
Richard adds: “It’s easy to forget we’re not just filling roles. We’re managing change, emotion, and long-term career decisions.”
Looking Forward: Mentorship, Growth, and Adding Value
Jordan’s ambitions go beyond billing targets. He’s keen to move into management and mentorship as MorePeople grows.
“Helping new consultants succeed gives me a lot of personal satisfaction. If I can turn green talent into high performers, that’s real value for the business and it’s rewarding too.”
But mentoring isn’t just about seniority. As Richard points out, value can come from all directions.
“Mentoring isn’t always top-down. Sometimes the 25-year-old has the insight the 50-year-old needs. We want people who bring different lenses and challenge blind spots.”
Talent Trends: Power Shift, Hybrid Work, and What Candidates Want
Jordan sees the candidate market subtly shifting. While the post-pandemic years gave jobseekers more leverage, he’s noticed a return of balance.
“We’re seeing a shift back toward clients having more power. Candidates are having to flex more, especially around hybrid working.”
He believes hybrid work is here to stay but it’s evolving.
“The genie’s out of the bottle with remote work. But some people stretched it too far. If your office is in London and you live in Liverpool, going in four days a week just won’t fly.”
That said, Jordan remains a strong advocate for flexible work:
“Hybrid roles open up the talent pool massively. And people who have work-life balance are generally happier and stay longer.”
Final Thoughts
Jordan’s journey shows that recruitment isn’t just about filling jobs: it’s about managing change, cultivating performance, and guiding people at pivotal moments.
Whether it’s through biohacks, cold plunges, or mentorship, his approach to work is thoughtful, grounded, and growth-oriented.
“If you’ve done something really hard at the start of the day, the rest of it feels manageable. That’s how I approach life and recruitment.”
