Interview with RFS Recruitment Expert: Rusila Halofaki

Tell us a bit about your role at RFS Recruitment — what does a typical day look like for you?

Every day is different – from building client and candidate relationships to making sure military spouses and Foreign & Commonwealth candidates feel supported. I really enjoy spending time preparing candidates for interviews. It’s important that each candidate gets the guidance and support they need throughout their career transitions.

What types of roles or industries are you currently recruiting for, and what trends are you seeing in the market right now?

Now, we've seen a strong influx of start-ups, along with organisations from sectors such as recruitment, education, travel and tourism, defence, and the charity space.

More recently, we’re also seeing increased interest from businesses in banking, finance, and—unsurprisingly—more from the defence sector.

Across the board, clients are placing greater value on soft skills, transferable experience, and access to a community that holds security clearance. This is where our talent pool of military spouses really excels.

What makes military spouses and partners such valuable hires for businesses?

For clients, hiring a military spouse or partner often means getting far more than expected.

Many of our candidates are overqualified, bringing a wealth of professional experience and academic achievement. Many are also already security cleared, which makes hiring processes much quicker for businesses who require this. While their transferable skills are a key focus, what truly sets them apart is the social value they bring to an organisation.

We often describe them as “Swiss Army knives” — adaptable, resourceful, and highly capable.

With strong productivity, proven track records, and a history of long-term commitment, they offer not just talent, but reliability.

Ours is a community of hardworking individuals who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves and get the job done. Hiring military spouses is also proven to boost retention rates for businesses too.

What advice would you give to employers who are new to working with RFS Recruitment?

At RFS Recruitment, we pride ourselves on offering a truly tailored service that meets your specific needs. The talent pool you’ll access through us is anything but ordinary—it’s made up of military spouses, veterans, and dependants who bring exceptional skills, resilience, and a depth of experience that sets them apart from traditional candidates. We deliver at the best of our ability to return talent to its rightful place.

Can you share a recent success story or placement that really stuck with you?

There are so many success stories that it’s hard to choose just one—one placement alone could never capture the joy I feel in seeing someone's life transform.

But there’s one story I’ll never forget. I’m especially proud of a Foreign & Commonwealth spouse who came to us after completing the Career Academy. She lacked confidence and needed support, so we worked closely with her to prepare for interviews. She had such drive and enthusiasm to never give up. We continued practicing, even after work hours, and eventually, she landed a role.

So many come to us feeling deflated, undervalued, and without hope. I remember each spouse we’ve helped, each journey of growth and success. These are the moments that make my work so meaningful.

And what about when you’re not working, how do you like to relax and decompress?

Living in Norway has inspired me to take up nature walks and hiking to explore more of this beautiful country. Alongside that, reading and journaling have become important parts of my routine, helping me relax and reflect. Occasional saunas and cold water dips have also become a norm for us a family.