Mickaël: Recruiting and living to the rhythm of the Loire
Here, I find a region that's recruiting, that's moving and where life remains simple
Mickaël Lebreton's day-to-day work involves recruiting, supporting and listening, as well as taking a break on the banks of the Loire. He has lived in La Varenne (opposite Le Cellier) for the past fifteen years, and chose Ancenis-Saint-Géréon as the location for his independent recruitment agency, Allié Recrutement. With simplicity and candour, he talks about his unusual career path, the people he has met and his attachment to the Ancenis region.
"I did a lot of things before I found my path".
When I was 20, I didn't really know where I was going. After a BTS and a work placement in Ireland, I tried my hand at banking, then opened a small shop, before working in retail and higher education. It was there that I discovered recruitment, working with young graduates and, a few years later, meeting up with former students who had already become professionals to put them in touch with companies. I got a taste for it.
I then joined a recruitment agency in Nantes, before deciding to set up my own business, with my own methods and my own freedom. In April 2021, I set up Allié Recrutement in Ancenis-Saint-Géréon. Today, I mainly recruit for permanent positions, both managerial and technical. I like to find the right people, understand their background and make them want to join a company. What motivates me on a daily basis is facilitating the meeting between the candidate and the company.
At the same time, I also offer skills assessments. It's a real breathing space for those who have doubts or want to change direction. For me, it's a continuation of recruitment: listening, understanding the life project and helping people to plan ahead.
A region on the move
What struck me about working here was the economic vitality. From major industries to family-run SMEs and innovative start-ups, the Ancenis region offers incredible diversity. In the same week, I can be recruiting for food processing, logistics or construction and public works. It's really stimulating! There are always new needs, new stories to tell, new partnerships to create.
A love affair with the Loire
When we bought here, in La Varenne, fifteen years ago, it was love at first sight. Just as others need the sea, I need to see the Loire. It soothes me. That's one of the reasons why I set up my office right in the centre of Ancenis-Saint-Géréon, close to the station... and the banks of the Loire.
And then there's everything else: no traffic jams, no stress. Here, you can enjoy the peace and quiet of a small town, but with the real economic dynamism of a major metropolis. The best of both worlds. And that's what I pass on to applicants: the Pays d'Ancenis is accessible, attractive and ideal for planning your future.
Inspiring stories
There are plenty of great recruitment stories and anecdotes! One recruitment in particular stood out for me: that of a site manager. Originally, the company wasn't looking for such an experienced profile. But the contact was obvious, and it was a real success. He developed so much that he quickly took on more responsibilities. I then recruited someone more junior to complete the team. It's stories like this that motivate me: when one meeting changes the trajectory of a person and a company.
I'm convinced that skills can be transferred. Sometimes a good technician can become a good manager. That's why I give candidates a personality inventory: it reveals potential that you can't read on a CV. And that's invaluable.
Your happy addition to Pays d'Ancenis
My happy addition is simple: the economic dynamism that feeds my work, the peace and quiet of a small town with no traffic jams, and the banks of the Loire just a stone's throw away for a breather. This combination makes me want to stay and continue to do business here.
With his rich and varied background, Mickaël has found a balance between his professional and personal life in the Ancenis area. As a freelance recruiter and career coach, he is the embodiment of this "happy addition": a meaningful working life in the heart of a welcoming and authentic region. Thank you for sharing this inspiring story.