For some, the pandemic was a period of uncertainty; for others, it opened unexpected doors. Take Charithra Chandran, for example. Fresh out of Oxford with a first-class degree in PPE, she was set on a career in consulting. Then Covid hit. Lockdown gave her time to reflect—and pivot. Instead of following the traditional path, she emailed a few acting agencies. Within months, she landed a major role in Netflix’s Bridgerton. Today, at 27, she’s thriving in her chosen profession.

Her story is a reminder of two powerful truths about careers and recruitment:

1. Timing and Opportunity Matter

Charithra acknowledges she got a lucky break. But luck often meets preparation. She had the confidence to take a risk and the initiative to reach out. In recruitment, we see similar patterns: candidates who seize the moment often stand out. As employers, we can create accessible pathways—whether through internships, flexible entry routes, or transparent hiring processes—that help talented individuals take that leap.

2. Diversity Isn’t Just a Trend—It’s a Responsibility

Charithra candidly notes that her breakthrough coincided with the industry’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement. Companies were reassessing diversity in their talent pools. While some actions may have been reactive, the underlying principle is vital: representation matters. For recruiters, this isn’t about tokenism—it’s about fairness and inclusion. If candidates worry they were hired “just because” of their identity, remind them of the flipside: how many times were they overlooked for those very reasons? Equity in hiring isn’t charity—it’s correcting an imbalance.

What This Means for Employers

• Audit your hiring practices: Are you unintentionally filtering out diverse talent?
• Champion transparency: Make your criteria clear so candidates understand they’re valued for their skills.
• Create flexible pathways: Like Charithra’s pivot, career changes happen. Support them.

At Coreus, we believe recruitment isn’t just about filling roles—it’s about shaping futures. Stories like Charithra’s remind us that talent can come from unexpected places.

Our job is to make sure opportunity isn’t left to chance.

Get in touch today.