It's true - especially in recruiting. Doing a few key things day-in and day-out is a surefire way to find success in this field.
Below are three habits that foster success over time. By putting these principles into action, you can make better placements, win over hiring managers, and earn the trust of candidates.
Habit #1: Actively Listening to Hiring Managers and Candidates
This one may sound obvious, but it’s so important that it’s worth emphasizing. We listen to people all the time – but in our busy, fast-paced world, it’s easy to forget to listen to what someone has to say.
When we’re actively listening to someone, we’re seeking to understand what they’re truly saying. We seek to understand their motivations, their problems, their challenges, etc. It’s about asking insightful questions and thinking beyond assumptions.
One simple tip for active listening is asking, “why?” more often. Ask hiring managers why they want certain requirements, why a prior employee was so successful in the role, and so forth. For candidates, work to uncover why they like their current job, why they enjoy a certain line of work, and so on.
The best recruiters are always working on being a better listener and asking better questions.
Habit #2: Treating Everyone, Everywhere with Respect
Treating everyone with respect seems simple, but let’s face it, it’s easier said than done. We’ve all had difficult clients and rude candidates. We’ve all had people catch us on bad days. That said...great recruiters strive to be respectful, kind, professional, and compassionate toward others in every instance.
The truth is, you never know where your next candidate is going to come from. Building a strong network as a recruiter goes a long way toward making your job easier. Even if one of your contacts isn’t a good fit, if they like you, they are more likely to refer friends and associates.
It’s also important to keep your reputation in mind. It takes a long time to build a reputation...but a very short time to lose it. The same goes with trust. Having a strong personal brand is critical for being an effective recruiter, and you want to be reinforcing a positive brand on a daily basis.
Habit #3: Constantly Learning, Evaluating, and Improving Your Process
Hey, nobody’s perfect. No matter how long you’ve been recruiting or how much success you’ve had, there’s always room for improvement. The world of recruiting is always changing as industries and technologies evolve as well.
Long story short, you should constantly be trying to educate yourself on new techniques, tools, and approaches. Carefully examine your process to see what’s working, what’s missing the mark, and what you can change. Experiment with new approaches to see if something works better.
Greater Success Starts Today
