It’s no secret: recruitment can be brutal. Perhaps that’s why there is sooo much recruitment advice out there. But who has time to try all the different tips and tricks?
Fortunately, a Facebook group called Recruiters Online asked over 14K members to share the best piece of recruiting advice they ever received.
We were so inspired by the responses that we decided to narrow them down into the top 7 most oft-repeated advice.
Thank you to all who contributed!
1) Pick up the phone
It’s seemingly obvious, and yet: sometimes all you need to do is get off the Internet/Facebook/other source of distraction, and “just pick up the damn phone,” as Tom Chuna put it. Candidates get inundated with so many emails that, realistically, nothing will happen until you speak directly. As another respondent, Shayne Pollard, wrote: “Successful people aren’t afraid to pick up the phone and make a connection.” Stand out from your competition by being the one who took the time to actually call.
2) Be persistent
Which brings us to our next point: making calls over and over can be tiring, but don’t stop. As Czarina Tabayoyong commented, “Recruiting isn’t for the lazy.” Be patient, persistent, and positive. Three or four “no’s” typically make a “yes.” When you find a great candidate, keep trying to contact them until they reply. Most recruiters send an email, leave a message, and give up if they don’t hear back. The most in-demand candidates are “looking for ways to screen recruiters, and you will stand out by persisting,” wrote Hank Gehron.
3) Get a thick skin
Don’t take things personally. Katelyn Norris Barber hit the nail on the head: “If you can’t develop a thick skin, you’re in the wrong industry.” Recruiting is not about making friends, it’s about making money. The process can play with your emotions at times, so if you get worked up, take 30 seconds to get it out of your system and move on. When you’re working with so many different people, rejection is an inevitable part of the job. Remember, “people are not widgets. If you want a product that sits on a shelf and behaves, this isn’t for you,” as Aaron Sramek summarized.
4) ABC (Always Be Closing)
Recruiting is ultimately a sales job. To sell a role effectively, you must be passionate about it! Most importantly, you need to properly understand the position, the product, and the company you are pitching. Michael Arndt explained: “Your approach must be different depending on the role you’re recruiting for. Some roles are in high demand so you must woo the candidate. Some are a dime a dozen.” Antoinette DiLiegro Evangelista reiterated the point: “Know your business, get to know the industry, communicate with the hiring manager and make sure you understand the role.”
5) Manage your time wisely
“Your biggest commodity in this business is your time, so manage it. Time kills deals,” wrote Dereck Hubley. Take control of your day by blocking off sourcing time and call time. Disconnect from whoever and whatever you need to in order to make those calls. Several respondents discuss this point: In this business, there is so much that is beyond your control that you must “control what you can control” (well said, Brian Ledoux).
6) Exhaust all options
To recruit successfully, you should “maximize every potential source of finding talent,” wrote Sameepa Saini. Take advantage of every possible resource: social media, email, events, conferences and trade shows, your board and founders’ networks, universities, career fairs, and of course your existing employees. Rounaque Rajput added that recruiting through social media is particularly “cost effective and gives quality results.”
7) Keep the pipeline full
It’s a rookie mistake to wait for a role to open before you search for candidates. “If you need to source and make connections with candidates when you first receive the opening, chances are that you have already lost,” stated Hank Gehron. When it comes to networking, remember: “Network before you need to. Most recruiters only go [places] when they need something. You should go even when you don’t,” wrote Gail Barabe Houston.
We hope this advice helps your recruitment efforts. If you’re a recruiter and would like to see the full list of responses, check it out here.
