After a decade-long career in the defence industry working as a Vehicle Mechanic, Mike - much to his surprise - fell into sales and retail management roles, where he worked for a further 10 years. Here, he gained valuable management and leadership skills alongside business acumen. 

And while many people may not consider this a traditional path into recruitment, Mike explains how the skills he learnt during each stage of his career led him to where he is now: a specialist defence recruitment consultant. His previous experience gives him a unique understanding of the specific requirements of defence employers, and makes him an expert in helping employees transition within and outside of the industry. 

You worked as a Vehicle Mechanic in the British Army for over 10 years. What kind of skills and experience did you gain here? 

I received the appropriate accreditation as a Vehicle/Diesel Mechanic, which saw me responsible for repairing and maintaining everything from motorcycles and generators to armoured vehicles, trucks and tanks. I did this in various conditions, including a time when I was posted with UNPROFOR in Bosnia-Herzegovina for six months during conflict. The military teaches you about loyalty, how to stay level-headed, and gives you the ability to work under pressure and in times of great stress. 

Can you tell us a bit about the current state of employment in Australian defence and the challenges and opportunities that may present themselves to industry employers and job seekers? 

The government has committed over $200 billion to defence spending over the next 10 years, and the investment in 234 defence projects across the country is expected to create more than 1600 Australian jobs. In other words, the defence sector is growing rapidly. 

Meeting the significant demand for workers will likely be the biggest challenge for defence employers, particularly in the current market, where unemployment is at a record low and the pandemic has seen a decline in skilled international professionals in the country. 

This means that innovative approaches to hiring defence personnel are required, as posting job ads online won’t be enough to identify top talent. Employers need to consider the potential skill sets of existing defence industry workers, as well as look for alternative ways to attract and integrate employees with relevant skills and experience from adjacent industries. This is where partnering with a specialist defence recruitment agency such as Bayside Group, which has an extensive database of qualified talent and networks, will help. 

For employees and job seekers, now’s the time to really start considering your next move – because chances are a defence company is looking for someone just like you! 

What was the transition like for you, moving back into civilian life, particularly from a career perspective? 

It was quite tricky from a professional perspective. I didn’t have any guidance to help me identify my transferable skills and in which industry or profession I could next take these. There was no one to say to me, “you’re not just a mechanic”. I fell into my first sales role after the military purely because I needed a job. 

What I didn’t expect was for this to turn into a decade-long career. I began working as a sales consultant, then continually worked my way up until I was area manager at a multi-million-dollar business. This saw me gain invaluable experience in business operations, management, strategy, leadership and building relationships. It was here that I also began to grow my skills in recruitment, identifying the right people with the relevant skills to join our team. 

What do defence employers and organisations stand to gain from working with you? 

With so much defence experience behind me, as well an inside knowledge of the business function, I understand the sometimes very specific requirements of defence organisations. I not only understand the skills a candidate should possess, but also the personal qualities they may need, as well as the level of confidentiality that’s required. 

Adding to this is Bayside Group’s 30 years of experience recruiting within this industry and its related fields, including engineering, automotive, infrastructure, information technology and cyber security. And with skills in these areas becoming increasingly sought after in defence, Bayside Group is very well positioned to identify and source individuals that have the required skills, or those that have transferable skills. 



How can you help those who want to transition to civilian life, or those moving within defence’s private sector? 

Having been through the transition from the defence industry to civilian life myself, I know it can be quite a leap. I can act as a professional support for individuals through the process, helping to identify their skills which would translate well into other industries, or even within other areas of defence. 

You develop a lot of loyalty and camaraderie working within the military, so if I can help someone who’s going through this stage of their professional life, that’s a great feeling for me. 

If you’re looking for defence staff, or for a job in the industry, you can contact Mike Larkin on 03 9864 6000 or Bayside Group here.