No matter how much a company tells you it’s a “warm desk,” take it with a grain of salt. Build your plan around the worst-case scenario.

In all honesty, building a desk from scratch is tough. And you MUST have a plan.

3 key things to assess before you take it on:

1. The Company

• Did they ask for a business plan? If not, that’s a red flag.
• Are there leverage points like other recruiters you can tag onto?
• Is your scope too narrow (one country only)?
• What support exists? BD splits, back office, structure?

2. The Industry

• How crowded is it already?
• How many jobs are live?
• What’s the future direction?
• Will RPO/outsourcing or offshore delivery wipe out your market?
• How exposed is it to global shocks?

3. You

• A fat base or title might look nice, but it won’t carry you.
• You’ll need self-drive, resilience, and the ability to stay positive through rejection.
• Year one will hurt. So your WHY has to be bigger than money.
• At the end of the day, new desks can be career-defining. They can fast-track you.

But it’s a two-year investment.

Go in with eyes open, know your market, and have your why clear.