Lisa Short
Best part of your job: I’ve worked in recruitment for over 10 years and seen the industry change so much. One thing that never changes though is the chance to learn every day about different people and their jobs and lives. I also love working for Carrot Pharma Recruitment, we have a real involvement with every aspect of the company and are included in pretty much everything about its growth. Carrot Pharma have a flexible working policy, which is great for someone like me who needs a degree of flexibility to deal with things that every day life throws at you.
Worst part of your job: The low points. When recruitment is good it’s great and when it’s bad it’s pretty soul destroying. You can have hit your target one day and then not the next. People are people, and have the ability to change their mind at any point in the process. You can have done so much work and then a candidate may have a change of heart and the same with a client. You just grin and bear it and move onto the next task in hand.
Favourite day out: I actually love Sunday’s in Didsbury more than I do Saturday’s now. I’m not sure that it’s Didsbury that’s changing, or more like I’m getting older. Mia and I love wandering out to Burton Road Bakery for breakfast, you can’t beat their egg’s Benedict. Although Mia prefers the beans on toast. Picking up the papers on the way back and having a really lazy Sunday. It’s great now summer is on the horizon (if we get one?) We often spend the afternoon in Didsbury Park and then probably meet friends in the Met for Sunday Roast, or have one in the oven ready for when we get home.
Favourite outfit and why: Although I love the sun, I’m not a big fan of summer clothes. I always wished I’d have started the diet sooner. If I had to choose though, I’m at my most happiest in my jeans from French Connection, a nice cardigan from Reiss and my ever eternal accessory, the scarf! I’m rarely seen without one and have owned and lost a few over the years. They’re a great cheap accessory though, which can brighten any dull outfit.
Favourite room in your house and why: I love Mia’s bedroom, it’s just pink beyond belief. I wish my room would have been so girly when I was younger. I had to share with my brother for a while and then we had our own rooms. We changed rooms at one point as he had more toys than me, and I had to live with Superman wallpaper for nearly a year! I love my garden too, it’s huge. So glad I don’t have to mow the thing though.
Your style icon: It has to be Kate Moss. How versatile can one person be? I go on and off Sienna Miller, although she has had some really good looks.
Biggest Influence: After I lost Alex my partner to cancer, it really made me think about life differently. Things I used to worry about just didn’t seem important anymore and it really made me see who my true family and friends were. They know who they are and I really value them all so much. Alex passing away made me channel all my efforts and more into making sure Mia is happy and well. We go horse riding together and have lots of laughs. Out of something so terrible happening, Mia is most certainly the happy ending to a sad story.
What’s on your bedside table: A lamp and a book which is taking me forever and a day to read (and it’s not even that good, so I don’t know why I’m bothering)
Favourite Film: “In the name of the father” Daniel Day Lewis. It’s one I’ve never watched over and over again, that’s probably why it’s still my favourite. I might normally have said Goodfellas if it wasn’t so overplayed.
Biggest ambition: Would be to own a nice little holiday home in the country. Somewhere Mia and I could just go to for a change of scenery, and to be able to relax. I would love to grow my own vegetables and have our own horses there. I have a fantastic communal garden with my flat in Didsbury, although I’m not sure the neighbours would be happy about two horses moving into the grounds!
Favourite book: Sleepers
Favourite place you’ve ever visited and why: I love any of the Greek Islands. The food, scenery and way of life for me can’t be beaten. I’ve had some of the best times ever there as a child and an adult.
If you could have a super power, what would it be: I would like to make myself invisible as I'm a nosy person who wants to be involved in lots of things, so I could do this if I was invisible
What is your favourite food: I'm a bit of a curryholic - particularly hot ones!
If you were trapped on a desert island, what 3 things would you want with you: Moisturiser - I hate dry skin and it would irritate me more than anything. A mirror - as I could use it to make fires. A knife - so I could at least cut things down to eat or kill stuff with!!!?? (That sounds grim but I'd die without food)
What's your most prized possession: My watch? Sounds odd but it represents a time in my life, and it is something I will pass on to my daughter.
You can invite 3 people, dead or alive, to dinner. Who do you pick: Henry VIII, Audrey Hepburn, Coco Chanel
Other than working, what do you spend most of your time doing: I work until 6.30 so it’s a dash to get home to at least see Mia for some of the evening before she goes to bed. In that time, I read her school book with her and talk to her about what she’s done at school. Once she’s bathed, fed and bed, I like to either listen to some music or watch a bit of TV. I’m trying to be good at the moment and reserve drinking wine for weekends only. You can’t beat a nice glass of red though, whilst catching up on the weeks tv.