Meet Catherine Taylor: Building Careers in Tech at Dixon Appointments

At Dixon Appointments, we’re lucky to work with people who truly care about making a difference in others’ careers. In this Employee Spotlight, we sat down with Catherine, a key member of our growing Technology Division. She shares why she deliberately chose recruitment, what excites her about the fast-moving tech space, and how she builds genuine relationships with clients and candidates. If you’re curious about what drives a great tech recruiter, read on.

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1. Let’s Start With You

Tell us a little about your journey – what led you to Dixon Appointments?

I started my recruitment journey back in 2018. Prior to that, I worked across property management, sales, and operations. I had always felt drawn to recruitment, as I connect well with people and genuinely believe that helping others navigate their careers is really important. So I made a very intentional decision to pursue this career. A lot of recruiters say they “fell into” recruitment, but for me it was a deliberate move.

My first recruitment role was in Architecture, and I quickly discovered how much I enjoyed being able to positively impact people’s lives – it gave me a real buzz. I’ve always had a strong interest in technology and how much it would shape the future, so I naturally pivoted into the tech space, and that’s where I’ve stayed ever since. I joined Dixon Appointments because I was excited about the journey they were on in building out their Technology Division and could see the opportunity that existed.

If you had to describe your role in one sentence, how would you explain it?

I connect great people with great opportunities in the tech space, helping both clients and candidates achieve long-term success.

What’s the ‘why’ behind what you do? What motivates you day to day?

I really thrive on helping people find roles they genuinely love. Work is such a big part of life, so being able to help someone navigate their career and land in the right environment is a privilege. The people we work with, the environment we’re in, and overall job satisfaction all flow into every part of life – so helping people get that right is what motivates me.

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2. Life at Dixon

What’s your favourite part of working at Dixon?

The people and the culture. Everyone brings their own strengths, and there’s a genuine focus on delivering high-quality service to both clients and candidates, which I really value.

How would you describe the team culture in three words?

Genuine, positive, fun.

Which Dixon value resonates most with you, and why?

Connection is key. Being able to truly connect with people is essential in this role to deliver the right outcomes and build trust on both sides.

What’s one standout memory or moment since joining the team?

The Christmas party was a lot of fun and a great chance to connect with the wider team outside of work.

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3. Your Tech Portfolio

What does your tech desk or portfolio look like today?

My portfolio is very varied and ranges from Project Services to Data & AI.

Which tech roles or specialisations do you most enjoy recruiting for, and why?

I’m really enjoying project services roles at the moment. It’s a fast-moving space, and the candidates I speak with are passionate about delivering projects smoothly and efficiently. I’ve also been working on more highly technical data roles, which I’ve found really interesting – the level of technical capability in the market is incredibly impressive.

What’s one achievement within your tech portfolio that you’re especially proud of?

I recently placed two candidates into their first roles in Australia. As someone who also moved from overseas, I know how challenging that transition can be, so being able to support others who have made that same bold move was really meaningful.

How has your understanding of the tech market evolved since joining Dixon?

I’ve been lucky to connect with some incredible clients and candidates who have given me deep insight into areas I hadn’t previously been exposed to. Tech is constantly evolving, so you really have to be a lifelong learner in this space.

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4. Tech Insights & Industry Perspective

What excites you most about working within the tech recruitment space?

Honestly, it’s how quickly everything evolves. When you think about the shift from dial-up internet to smartphones and now what’s happening with AI, it’s pretty incredible. It never stands still, and that constant evolution is what makes it such an exciting space to be part of.

What’s one emerging tech skill or role you think will be in high demand over the next year?

I think the big focus is going to be on AI and data. We’re seeing a rapid evolution in this space and the efficiencies it’s already creating across hiring and talent identification. I think we’re only just scratching the surface of what’s possible, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

What’s a misconception clients often have about hiring tech talent, and how do you help bridge that gap?

One of the biggest misconceptions is that the “perfect” candidate is out there ticking every single box. In reality, the best hires often come from people with strong fundamentals and the ability to learn quickly. A big part of my role is helping clients focus on potential as well as experience, and ensuring expectations are aligned with what the market actually looks like.

In your opinion, which qualities separate a strong tech professional from a great one?

For me, it comes down to communication. It’s important in any role, but especially in tech where not everyone speaks the same language. Being able to break things down and explain things clearly is huge. Pair that with strong technical knowledge and the ability to articulate why you’re doing something and how that’s what really sets someone apart.

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5. Candidates, Clients & Connection

What’s your approach to spotting quality tech talent beyond what’s on a CV?

It comes down to understanding individual contributions and impact. I look at how someone has influenced projects, how they approach challenges, and how they solve problems those are usually the real differentiators beyond what’s on paper.

How do you build trust with tech candidates, especially highly specialised ones?

By asking the right questions and genuinely listening. It’s about understanding what they’re looking for, being transparent, and showing that you understand their space.

What advice would you give to clients trying to stand out to tech professionals?

Be clear on what you’re offering beyond just the role, things like, employee benefits, career progression, flexibility, and impact. There are a lot of factors that make someone want to work with a business so being clear on who you are as a business is key.

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6. Growth, Learning & Development

What’s a new skill or insight you’ve picked up recently that has improved your work?

How much you learn just by staying close to the market. The more conversations you have with candidates and clients, the more patterns you start to see and that’s really improved how I approach roles and opportunities.

If you could master one technical skill overnight, what would it be?

I’d love to be an Excel whizz, being able to build and manipulate data quickly and confidently would be incredibly useful day to day.

How do you keep yourself up-to-date in such a fast-moving industry?

Most of my insights come from genuine conversations with clients and candidates who are living and breathing the industry day to day. That’s where you get the most honest view of how things are changing. Outside of that, I really enjoy listening to podcasts to stay across broader trends.

What’s a professional goal you’re excited to work toward this year?

The biggest focus for me this year is expanding my network and strengthening Dixon’s presence within the IT sector. I’m excited about building more meaningful connections across the industry and continuing to grow the brand in that space.

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7. The Fun Stuff

Are you Team Dark Mode or Light Mode?

Definitely dark mode.

What’s a piece of tech you can’t live without?

My Kindle, it’s basically always with me when my children aren’t.

What’s something small that instantly brightens your day?

A good coffee and a bit of sunshine.

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8. Looking Ahead

What do you hope to achieve with your tech portfolio in the next 12 months?

To continue growing a strong, high-quality tech portfolio and deepen relationships across both clients and candidates. I want to build long-term partnerships, focusing on pairing the right people with the right opportunities and making a genuine impact on people’s careers. Ultimately, I want to become a trusted go-to in the space.

What’s one trend you think will shape the future of recruitment?

Surely it has to be AI? We’re seeing such a rapid evolution in this space and the clear efficiencies it’s already creating. I think we’re only just scratching the surface of what’s possible, and I can’t wait to see where it goes from here.

What advice would you give someone starting at Dixon tomorrow?

Focus on relationships first. Take the time to really understand your market, listen to your candidates and clients, and don’t rush the process, consistency and curiosity will take you a long way. And most importantly, be yourself.

What impact do you hope to have on your clients, candidates, or the broader tech community?

I hope to be seen as someone genuine who truly cares about the people I work with. At the same time, I want to be known as someone who understands the market well and is a trusted partner that clients and candidates can rely on for honest advice and long-term value.

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Ready to connect with Catherine?

If you’re a tech professional exploring your next opportunity, or a client looking for great talent, Catherine would love to hear from you.

Reach out to her directly: ctaylor@dixonappointments.com.au

Let’s start a conversation.