The 6 levels of recruiters

The 6 levels of recruiters

Over the years I have immersed myself in recruitment podcasts, blogs and books. I have been teaching my team and been watching those who make it. During this time I have been reflecting on my skills and those who have taught me.?

I am always curious what makes people successful. Here is my breakdown and what I believe are the different levels to becoming a truly expert recruiter.?

Level 0 - The doubter

Here is where people doubt recruitment. Doubt their market. Doubt they will ever be good enough. They tell themselves things like “I do not belong here” or “It's just not worth it”.?

Negative belief sentences are daily (sometimes hourly).?

50% of people don’t make it past here.

Level 1 - The enthusiast?

Here recruiters have energy but can’t offer you much more. Friendly, engaging, warm. Happy to attack tasks but often are people pleasing, easily distracted and not particularly memorable.?

Some good traits to be successful (energy, belief) but without deliberate practice and self awareness they stay average.?

70% of people don't make it past here

Level 2 - The recruiter

Becoming more serious about themselves and their business. They will bring more professionalism to their work, questions are relevant, motivation high and often competitive. Level 2 people however still wait for things to come to them. They believe taking time to learn about the market, their clients or their candidates is not their active responsibility. Their motto “(I am confident), Let’s just wing it” .?

Many get stuck here - awareness and self-accountability is the issue.?

85% of people don’t make it past here.?

Level 3 - The specialist?

Now we are entering a recruitment partnership. Professional. Prepared. Passionate about the market. If you are speaking to someone who is level 3 then you are working with a good recruiter. The specialist will know the top candidates to reach out to and your competitors.?

What stops these people is big picture thinking and using intelligent questions to make people think. To be able to move the discussion from a narrow view (The vacancy) to a wide angle viewpoint takes years, coaching and A LOT of reading.?

90% of people don’t make it past here.?

Level 4 - The challenger

Here a recruiter understands you and your organisation better than anyone you have spoken to.?

What makes the challenger special, is they make you THINK. They are able to connect the narrow problem (vacant job) to a wider problem, your team impact, your personal impact, the impact to the whole company or world (in my case, patient community). Level 4s do this intelligently, personalised and fluently. Rarely do you think it's a sales conversation. Working with a recruiter for your team or career at level 4 will make a positive impact on your life.?

99% of people don’t make it past here.?

Level 5 - The authority

Rarely do I see or speak to people at this stage. When I do, it's always incredibly impactful.?

Those who are an authority are not told what to do. You do not pay them $$$ to take orders. If you do not impress them, they will just work with others. They have built such a strong reputation and client/candidate pool that they can choose who they work with. This belief leads to more demands which leads to more respect.?

A level 5 is built through years of a never ending thirst for excellence. A hatred towards losing and a true abundance mindset. The years of client relationship building has led to confidence through this abundance.?

If you are a recruiter reading this, and still young in your career, just by having self-awareness, accountability and patience - you will do better than 90% of the people in your industry.

Add to this a sh*t lot of hard work, coaching and not being afraid then you will enter into the top 5% of recruiters in the world.?

From here, this job then starts to get really interesting.?

Curious to hear what others think - what do you think makes recruiters world class?