On The Spot With Melanie Barker

Melanie Barker is a consultant at Sheffield-based recruitment and retention consultancy Benchmark Recruit.

What was your first job?

I was a waitress at the Charnwood Hotel in Blyth. It taught me a lot about good customer service.

If you weren’t in your current position, what would you be doing?

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Most likely I’d still be in a sales role but possibly more on the charity side. Benchmark gets involved in a lot of local charity work so I’m planning to get stuck in there.

What was your worst mistake?

Trying to dye my own hair blonde – it went totally wrong and I had to wear a hat until I could get in the hairdressers to fix it!

What’s you ideal day away from the office?

I like a nice walk in the country followed by a country pub lunch and a glass of wine

Name one person you would like to have dinner with and why?

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Victoria Beckham. I love her because she is a fashion inspiration as well as a great role model as both a mum and wife.

What was your best subject at school?

It would have been PE.

What are your hobbies?

I like running. It’s a great way to keep fit.

What would you do if you won the Lotto?

I would travel the world for a year – I’ve already visited Zambia, Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa – and build up a property portfolio.

What’s your favourite item of clothing?

That would definitely be my red Abercrombie & Fitch hoodie.

What’s your favourite time of day?

Around 8pm, when I’m home from work and chilled out on the sofa with my boyfriend.

What’s the best thing about Yorkshire?

The friendly people.

What would you like your epitaph to be?

Everything happens for a reason.