Austin Clifford

Austin joined Hanover in the fall of 2025 as a Lead Associate. He has over eight years of experience in recruitment, During that time he has developed a deep expertise in connecting top talent with leading organizations across the finance, legal, and insurance industries. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed both client and candidate relationships, ensuring that the right individuals are placed in roles that align with their skills and ambitions, while also helping businesses build high-performing teams.

His experience spans working with large carriers and handling a wide range of recruitment needs, from claims professionals to legal experts, and more niche insurance specialists. He thrives on building strong partnerships, providing tailored recruitment solutions, and navigating the complexities of talent acquisition in dynamic and competitive sectors.

What did you want to be when you were younger?

Personally, I went through several different ideas about what I wanted to be when I grew up. When I was VERY young, I wanted to be a seal trainer (after being thoroughly impressed with them as a child at the Brooklyn Zoo). From there, I got into creative writing and pursued a writing path for a short while during and after college. Eventually, I found recruitment, and the rest is history!

What 3 tips would you give someone looking for a new role/career?

1. Make a list of potential careers / industries that interest you and do your research. Really lean into the research aspect, and understand what it will take to get into those fields (if it will involve more schooling, certifications etc.)

2. If possible, try and book some informational interviews with higher-ups / hiring managers in those fields. This will have two benefits, in that you will learn more about that industry, as well as get to know and ideally impress someone who makes hiring decisions with your initiative.

3. Lean on your network. Let them know what path you are looking to take in your career. Your connections from school, previous jobs and life in general can have more of an impact than you realize.