Meet Melissa Cliff – Recruitment Consultant at Who in the Zoo

At Who in the Zoo, our consultants bring not only expertise but also heart, passion, and individuality to their work. Today, we’re excited to introduce you to Melissa Cliff, one of the newest members of our team, who has already made an incredible impact with both clients and candidates.

What is your role at Who in the Zoo, and could you share your background?

*“I am the newest Recruitment Consultant at Who in the Zoo, originally from a sunny little place in the Northwest of England — Bolton! I arrived in Australia in 2024, first staying with family in Adelaide before moving to Sydney, where I worked in a café in Barangaroo before jumping back into recruitment.

Back in the UK, I graduated in 2019 with an English Language degree and began my career with a boutique startup agency specialising in beauty, personal care, and FMCG. I absolutely loved that role, working across traditional and digital marketing, and building teams for well-known beauty brands such as Sunday Riley, REFY, and Federici Brands.

Arriving in Australia, I’ve been lucky to find Who in the Zoo, which has given me the opportunity to recruit within the Fashion & Beauty space — something I’ve always been passionate about. I’ll be proudly looking after roles across Supply Chain, Logistics, Operations, HR, and Finance, and I can’t wait to immerse myself in Australian fashion and emerging trends with such a supportive team around me.”*

What do clients and candidates appreciate most about working with you?

*“I’d say it’s my care factor. I pride myself on not being a ‘typical recruiter.’ I still get texts from past candidates giving me life updates, which makes me so happy! I love creating a genuine, positive impact on people’s lives and helping them find their next dream role — it’s like a cupid’s bow moment between candidate and company.

For candidates, I always go the extra mile, because job searching can be such a vulnerable time. For clients, I act as an extension of their business, always representing their brand respectfully and with transparency at the heart of everything I do.”*

Outside of work, what are your passions and hobbies?

*“I’m a bit of a fitness fanatic! I love going to the gym, doing Pilates with my girlfriends, long runs followed by coffee and croissants, and scenic weekend hikes. This year, I’ve set myself the goal of reading at least five books (I’m at two so far!) and I’ve signed up for two half-marathons, with the goal of running a full marathon next year.

I also love experimenting in the kitchen, cooking new recipes for me and my partner — think ‘marry me chicken’ pasta or homemade pizzas. Evenings often end with us watching crime documentaries on Netflix — another obsession of mine!”*

What sets Who in the Zoo apart from others in the industry?

*“It’s the supportive team I’ve joined. Our founder Sue has over two decades of experience in fashion and a wealth of knowledge we can all learn from, and our manager Sally has been in recruitment since 2006, having seen nearly every scenario imaginable!

The long-standing relationships between clients and consultants here are incredible, and I feel very lucky to be building on such a strong foundation.”*

Who in the Zoo are you?

“I did a quiz to answer this, and the result was a Golden Retriever — playful and caring! It seems fitting, since I’m blonde, love treats, and can be a little cheeky too.”

📧 You can reach Melissa at melissa@whointhezoo.com.au