3 Things About Recruiting that will Never Change

The more things change, the more they stay the same.? This can be said of many areas of life, and the world of recruiting is no exception.? I have been in this business more than half of my life – and I love it.? From the start, I was blessed to work with a company who provided me with great training and instilled what I now realize were basic fundamentals of the business.? I can remember when Monster first came onto the scene and widespread panic ensued across the recruiting community.? Everyone thought human recruiters would be replaced by job boards.? Since that time, more and more tools and disruptors have entered the recruiting space – from job boards to generative AI.? Some have become invaluable assets and some are just a waste of time.? But despite all the innovation that has come – and will continue to come – a few things still remain the same.? While we have to continue to adapt to the changing times and efficiently utilize technology when and where it makes sense to do so in order to complement our recruiting efforts and processes, the fundamentals will still and, in my opinion, always remain.

1.?????? Recruiting is about Relationships

Talk to the most successful recruiters around the globe and one common trait rings true – they have developed incredible relationships with their candidates.? Our job as recruiters is to listen, gather information, and then based on that information, deliver a solution that benefits all involved. ?The best recruiters develop a deep understanding of their candidates – well beneath their skills and professional aspirations.? They understand them as people.? They know what’s important in life, at work, personal struggles they are dealing with, when their birthday or anniversary is, what’s going on with their kids….they KNOW their candidates.? That is true relationship building, and it doesn’t happen in one 30-minute screening conversation.? It requires effort and happens over time with continuous follow-up communications.? I have had the pleasure of placing professionals multiple times over the course of their career and now even have some referring their kids to me!

2.?????? You have to talk

I know, shocker.? Even in today’s world where many of the drones walking the earth lack the ability to express themselves verbally, if you are going to succeed as a recruiter, you need to be able to hold a conversation.? Texting, emailing, and mobile apps have changed the way we communicate with and schedule talent.? Texting is excellent for short, ‘yes/no’ type of situations.? Emailing is wonderful for sending documents and longer, instructional communications.? Mobile apps are more than likely going to continue to drive much of the temporary workforce.? However, while all of these are tremendous assets and while every recruiter should take full advantage of multi-medium communications, if you want to influence any situation and, more importantly, develop relationships with your candidates, you can only do so effectively through verbal conversation.? Thus, the ability to have strong verbal communications is still essential in order to succeed as a recruiter.

3.?????? Your network is your net worth

The more people you know, the more people you know.? As a recruiter, you should make it your mission to meet or converse with everyone in your market that is within your specialized vertical.? If they are in your space, and in your market, they should be in your book of business.? Why do this when every job only requires one qualified candidate?? Because talent is a recruiter’s currency.? Every time a new job opening comes across your desk, you should be able to say either. “I have someone” or “I have someone that knows someone.”? It’s that simple – and those that know me know that I believe that recruiting is a simple business – don’t overcomplicate it. The ‘who do you know’ network is king.? Thus, recruiters should strive to have expansive networks.? However, they have to be networks that make sense, not just volume for the sake of volume.? Network with people where business relationships can be mutually beneficial.? Expand your network with people who have skills that are always in high demand by your client base.? Be proactive so that you become that recruiter who has a network of candidates and not that other recruiter who has to begin new searches for candidates every time a new job order comes in.

Hopefully nothing I have mentioned here is rocket science or a revelation.? However, I believe it is worth reiterating so that recruiters do not lose focus on what is important:? networking, communicating, and building relationships.? That, my friends, is never going to change.

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John Ruffini is the Vice President of Professional Development for HealthTrust Workforce Solutions in Sunrise, Florida.? He is a 30-year recruiting veteran and is the author of the Amazon Best Sellers “Money Makers:? Proven Ways to Increase Sales and Productivity in the World of Professional Recruiting” and “A Quest for Alex.”