Recruiter Roller Coaster Ride - A Day in a life of Mike, Sheila & Sol.

In our previous article, we explored the strengths and weaknesses of Mike, Sheila, and Sol, and we reviewed their performance rankings for the year. This article takes a closer look at a typical day in their lives, shedding light on the small practices that lead to significant successes and the minute mistakes that can cost recruiters.

Mike: The Solution Oriented Communicator

Mike is the top performer for a reason. It’s not just that he works hard, but he also uses his time effectively. His workday actually begins at the end of the previous day. Surprised? Let’s see how this is possible.

End-of-Day Preparation:

Every day, Mike spends the last 30-45 minutes of his workday preparing for the next day. This involves:

• Sending New Connections: He reaches out to potential new contacts, helping to expand his network.
• Leaving Voicemails for Passive Candidates: Mike ensures that potential candidates who are not actively looking for jobs still hear about opportunities.
• Sending Emails to Candidates: He informs candidates about open roles, keeping the communication lines active.

By doing this, Mike ensures that he starts his morning with a set of tasks ready to go, focusing on strong and active leads.

Daily Schedule:

1. Targeting Active Leads: Mike begins his day by following up with the active leads he prepared the previous evening. This proactive approach sets a productive tone for the day.
2. Understanding Client Needs: Mike prioritizes client needs from high to low and works on the requirements effectively. This ensures he addresses the most critical needs first and meets client expectations.
3. Networking: Mike spends part of his day talking to his network, which includes both clients and talent. He shares updates, gathers feedback, and builds relationships.
4. Preparation for Next Day: Towards the end of the day, Mike gets ready for the next day by repeating his end-of-day preparation routine.

By managing his day in these four segments, Mike maximizes his productivity and ensures he is always a step ahead.

Sheila: The Skilled but Hesitant Recruiter

Sheila is known for her skills and reliability, but her hesitancy sometimes holds her back. Her approach is methodical and careful, often leading to steady but slower results.

End-of-Day Review:

Sheila spends about 20-30 minutes at the end of each day reviewing her tasks and setting goals for the next day. This helps her maintain a clear focus and direction.

Daily Schedule:

1. Reviewing Previous Day’s Work: Sheila starts her day by reviewing the tasks completed the previous day and addressing any pending issues. This allows her to clear any backlog and start afresh.
2. Client Communication: Sheila dedicates time to communicating with her clients, understanding their ongoing needs, and providing updates. She is thorough in her communications but often double-checks her messages, leading to delays.
3. Candidate Engagement: She follows up with candidates, both active and passive, to keep them informed and engaged. Her hesitation sometimes makes her miss the right moment to secure a candidate.
4. Documentation: Sheila ensures that all communications and processes are well-documented. This habit helps her maintain a clear record and reduces errors.
5. End-of-Day Review: She ends her day by reviewing her progress and planning for the next day, ensuring she has a clear roadmap to follow.

Sheila’s methodical approach ensures she remains consistent and reliable, but her hesitancy can sometimes slow down her progress.

Sol: The Inconsistent Closer

Sol stands out for his creativity and problem-solving skills, but his inconsistency in closing deals is a significant weakness. His approach is often unconventional, leading to mixed results.

Morning Brainstorming:

Sol starts his day with a brainstorming session. He spends the first 30 minutes thinking about new ideas and strategies to improve his work processes.

Daily Schedule:

1. Innovative Outreach: Sol spends part of his day experimenting with new ways to reach out to candidates and clients. This could include using social media, creating engaging content, or trying new communication tools. While innovative, his methods sometimes lack follow-through.
2. Client and Candidate Feedback: He actively seeks feedback from both clients and candidates to understand their perspectives and improve his methods. However, his inconsistent follow-up can undermine these efforts.
3. Collaboration: Sol collaborates with his colleagues to share ideas and learn from their experiences. He believes in the power of teamwork and often seeks input from others, but his execution is not always consistent.
4. Continuous Learning: Sol dedicates time each day to learning something new, whether it’s a new recruitment tool, a market trend, or a soft skill. His commitment to learning is strong, but he sometimes struggles to apply what he learns effectively.
5. End-of-Day Reflection: He ends his day with a reflection session, noting what worked well and what didn’t, and planning for the next day. This reflective practice is beneficial, but his inconsistent application of insights can hinder his progress.

Sol’s creative and reflective approach helps him stay innovative, but his inconsistency in closing deals remains a significant challenge.

By examining the daily routines of Mike, Sheila, and Sol, we can see how their individual practices contribute to their overall performance. Mike’s proactive and segmented approach, Sheila’s skilled yet hesitant manner, and Sol’s creative but inconsistent methods each play a crucial role in their success and areas for improvement as recruiters.

What Next ?

Next Up: Advanced Recruitment Techniques and Tools

In our next article, we will dive deeper into the various approaches and techniques that can elevate a recruiter from good to great. We will explore:

1. Sample Email Formats: Learn how to craft effective and engaging emails that capture the attention of candidates and clients, fostering better communication and higher response rates.
2. Voicemails: Discover the art of leaving compelling voicemails that encourage callbacks from passive candidates, making your outreach efforts more successful.
3. Sourcing Candidates with Boolean Search: Master the use of strong Boolean search techniques to find the perfect candidates quickly and efficiently. We will provide detailed examples and tips to enhance your search skills.
4. Sharing Feedback: Understand the importance of providing timely and constructive feedback to candidates and clients. We will discuss how to deliver feedback that helps improve relationships and results.
5. Effective Call Scripts: Get access to proven call scripts that help you navigate conversations with ease, whether you are speaking with clients or candidates. These scripts will help you overcome objections and close more deals.
6. Leveraging AI/ChatGPT in Modern Recruiting: Embrace the future of recruiting by incorporating AI and ChatGPT into your processes. We will show you how to use these advanced tools to streamline your workflow, improve candidate engagement, and make more informed decisions.

Stay tuned for an in-depth look at these essential recruiting strategies and tools. By implementing these techniques, you can overcome daily challenges, enhance your effectiveness, and become an expert recruiter in today's competitive market.