Lawyer by Training Recruiter by Design: Ashish Raivadera | Quinntessential Questions #71

From Ugandan refugee to London lawyer to Singapore's legal recruitment elite, Ashish's journey is anything but ordinary.In this episode of The Quinntessential Questions Podcast with Paul Quinn, we sit down with Ashish, a 27-year veteran of Singapore's legal recruitment scene who built his career entirely by accident.From arriving in Singapore in the pouring rain in 1999 with no job, to becoming the only man in an office full of "female killers," to surviving 9/11 layoffs and building his own business, Ashish shares the unfiltered truth about resilience, relationships, and what it really takes to succeed in recruitment.Paul and Ashish Talk about:- How he fell into recruitment at age 17 (his mum came upstairs crying)- Building personal brand over company loyalty in recruitment- How the cricket club became central to his life and network- What Dead Poets Society taught him about "Carpe Diem"- The truth about ethical recruitment and long-term placements- Why 46% of his placements come from referrals- How to survive and thrive through major setbacks (9/11, recessions)- Balancing family life with three daughters and being an empty nesterThis conversation is a masterclass in resilience, relationship-building, and the long game of career success from someone who has lived through Uganda's expulsion, London's legal trenches, and Singapore's transformation.ASHISHLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashish-raivadera-0546a21/Company: https://www.mlaglobal.com/enLISTEN ON SPOTIFY & APPLESpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5x98T8QSRo01reQOGVGavqApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-quinntesssential-questions-podcast-with-paul-quinn/id1764230785FOLLOW PAUL QUINNInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntaipan/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulquinnofficial/FOLLOW OUR SOCIALS:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quinntessential_questions/Website: https://www.quinntessentialquestions.com/CAREER COACHINGWebsite: https://quinntessentialca.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/westport-partners-career-coaching/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westportpartnerscareercoaching/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Westport-Partners-Career-Coaching/61558129585059/TIMESTAMPS:(0:00) Introduction(1:48) 27 Years in Singapore: The Accidental Journey(3:16) Arriving in Singapore: "What Have We Done?"(5:26) The Cricket Club That Changed Everything(8:44) Growing Up Ugandan Asian in Leicester(10:44) From Medicine to Economics: The Pivot(14:44) York University and Finding His Path(16:39) The Robert Walters Summer That Planted Seeds(23:13) Nottingham Forest, Brian Clough & Sports Obsession(26:15) The Decision to Come to Singapore(31:04) Building Community Through Cricket(41:35) 9/11: Losing Everything and Bouncing Back(51:50) Starting His Own Business at 36(1:03:25) The Art of Executive Search(1:05:11) If He Could Start Again: Advice to His Younger Self(1:07:35) Dinner with Steve Jobs, Bill Gates & Nelson Mandela(1:08:54) Sales Training: What Really Works(1:22:24) The Service That Sets Him Apart(1:24:22) Dead Poets Society: Carpe Diem Changed Everything(1:25:58) How He Recharges: Cricket, Family & Community(1:26:58) Top Footballers & Cricket Players(1:28:31) Gary Lineker: The Complete Package(1:29:22) Productivity Hacks (Or Lack Thereof)Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any company or organisation, its affiliates, subsidiaries, partners, or employees.#LegalRecruitment #ExecutiveSearch #Singapore #UgandanAsian #CareerAdvice #Resilience #9/11Story #Recruitment #LegalIndustry #CareerPodcast #PaulQuinn #QuinntessentialQuestions #RefugeeStory #EntrepreneurJourney #BusinessSuccess