In the world of recruitment, relationships are everything. For Kymberly (Kym) Jones and Kavitha Raj , their professional journey is a testament to the power of long-term connections and the values that define Stellar Recruitment. Their story began in 2015, when Kym, then a recruiter, placed Kavitha at the Department of Corrections as a Recruitment Advisor. Kym and Kavitha continued their relationship, where Kym partnered with Kavitha to fill roles within the organisation. Kym recalls those visits vividly, checking in at Auckland Women’s Prison, locking away personal items, passing through scanners, and walking through secure corridors to meet Kavitha in her office. Though their roles changed over time, the connection remained. They kept in touch through LinkedIn, liking, commenting, and quietly cheering each other on from afar. Then, in late 2024, a simple message from Kavitha reignited the conversation. That message, sent through LinkedIn, marked the beginning of a new chapter as Kavitha looked for her next role. Kavitha had built an impressive career, working with several organisations including Korn Ferry and GHD. Eventually, she made the move to Stellar Recruitment, completing a full-circle moment that neither of them had anticipated but are both equally thrilled about.  “I sent Kym a message on LinkedIn letting her know I was looking for my next role. As luck would have it, Kym was looking for a new team member and as they say, the rest is history.” Said Kavitha. For Kym, this journey is more than just a professional milestone. “In New Zealand, we say it’s two degrees of separation, at most,” she says. “My dad always told me, if you have the opportunity to help someone, do it. It will come back to you.” That philosophy has guided her throughout her career. “You’re taught that your clients may become your candidates. But I never imagined one would become a colleague.” With Kavitha managing the engineering and consultancy team at Stellar, their relationship has evolved once again. It is a powerful reminder of why long-term relationships matter. At Stellar Recruitment, it is not just about filling roles, it is about building trust, nurturing connections, and creating opportunities that come full circle.

Katie France is a finalist in the RSCA NZ 2025 awards in the category of Recruitment Professional of the year.