Regaining Focus and Drive in Recruiting: A Candid Look

Recruiting is not for the faint of heart. It’s a high-stakes game, a perpetual chase after the next big hire, blending the thrill of the hunt with the existential dread of "what if I don’t close this one?" Think of it as being in a relationship where you're constantly trying to prove you're worth a second date.

Tough, right?

Now imagine feeling stuck in that cycle, motivation waning like a cheap smartphone battery.

Let's dissect how you can recharge, refresh, and reinvigorate your recruiting mojo.

Acknowledge the Burnout – Don't Romanticize the Grind

First up, burnout.

It’s real, and it’s rough. I heard a lot of this from practitioners at RecFest USA this past week.

If recruiting were easy, everyone would be doing it, and they’d probably suck at it. The reality is, it’s a grind. But here’s the catch—grinding doesn’t mean you have to grind your gears down to nothing. Acknowledging that you’re feeling burnt out isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s the first step in reclaiming your energy.

Burnout in recruiting isn’t just about working hard; it's about questioning whether your hard work is even making a dent. It’s like being on a treadmill—lots of movement, not much progress. Time to step off and recalibrate.

Rediscover the "Why" – Your Mission Command

Why did you get into recruiting?

I was reminded of this question during Vanessa Raath ???????? 's conversation at LHR Américas event in Bogota last month.

Did we do this to play matchmaker between talent and opportunity, to craft dream teams, or because we thrive in human-centric roles?

Sometimes, in the dust of deal closures and candidate ghosting, we forget our “why.”

Rediscover it.

Our mission isn’t just to fill positions; it’s to change lives and build futures.

Reconnect with the impact of your work. When a placement works out, you're not just filling a seat; you're potentially changing the trajectory of someone's career and, by extension, their life.

That’s not just a job; it’s a superpower.

The Art of Achievable Aspirations

Goal-setting sounds like a chapter from a self-help book that promises you the moon if you just smile more. Here’s the Fink twist: set goals that actually make sense.

Sitting with James Ellis , he shared a book: Alex M H Smith 's No Bullsh*t Strategy.

After reading this book this weekend, I am ready to reengage.

How?

Break them down into daily, actionable chunks. Think of it as your personal business model canvas. What can you achieve today? This week? This month? Make your goals ambitious enough to excite you but achievable enough that you don’t end up hurling your laptop across the room. Each small win is a step back to peak motivation.

(Also, seriously people - if you are not following James Ellis and his Substack The Change Agent, are you even employer branding?)

Your Digital Excalibur

If you're still slogging through spreadsheets or using software that feels like it was coded during the dial-up era, you're not just working hard, you’re working dumb.

I like to think of the great conversations led by Craig Fisher and Stanislaw Wasowicz at RecFest USA .

Look, modern recruiting is a tech sport. Leverage AI-driven tools for sourcing, automation for mundane tasks, and CRM systems that don’t look like a digital labyrinth. Let technology take the strain off the grunt work, so you can focus on what you do best—connecting with people.

Be a Student of the Game

Shout out to Gerry Crispin , Steve Levy , Dean Da Costa , Carmen Hudson, CSM , and Glen Cathey . They keep me a student, and while the world of work is shifting faster than a politician's promises, if you’re using tactics from even five years ago, you're in the Stone Age.

Upskill.

Dive into new recruiting trends, understand the emerging workforce dynamics, and get a grip on what candidates really want in a post-pandemic world. Knowledge isn’t just power; it’s your armor in the war for talent.

Network Like a Mogul

Recruiting can be lonely, especially when things aren’t going your way. Build a network not just for sourcing candidates, but for personal support and professional growth. Attend industry meetups, webinars, and forums. Connect with other recruiters, share war stories, and swap strategies. Your next great idea could come from a casual conversation over coffee. Whether you are meeting Sarah Fell , Tabitha Cavanagh , Donald Knight , or Tara Turk-Haynes in-person at a conference or building a relationship over the phone or pastrami sandwiches, you need to build the conversation.

Mindfulness and Wellbeing

Finally, look after yourself. This isn’t just about spa days or yoga retreats.

It’s about making sure you’re mentally and physically primed for the challenges ahead. Regular exercise, a proper diet, and yes, mindfulness practices can dramatically improve your cognitive function and emotional resilience. Think of it as upgrading your internal operating system.

I am grateful for friends like Ronnie Bratcher who ask me to live in the moment. We are all time travelers. We are caught between the past and the future. Ronnie reminds me to live in the present and enjoy the moment.

Our Comeback Story

Regaining your focus and drive in recruiting isn't about finding a new magic bullet. It's about going back to basics, leveraging modern tools, and remembering why you started. Remember, every great comeback starts with the decision to not stay down. You’re not just filling jobs; you’re crafting the future, one placement at a time.

So, rekindle your passion, set your goals, and get back in the game.

The industry needs you, more than you might realize.

Now, let's get back to work—not because we have to, but because we want to.

Hi there, I’m Brian, and in addition to this LinkedIn Newsletter, I’m writing the proverbial (no surprise here) sequel to Talk Tech To Me. I take on the stress and strain of complex technology concepts and simplify them for the modern recruiter. Pick up your copy today.

OR

Join me at Benjamin Mena 's upcoming Finish The Year Strong Summit.

What does it cost? FREE

Who is going to be there?

Tons of People!

Who is on my bingo card?

Keely Flood , Julia Arpag , Trent Cotton , David Stephen Patterson , Steve Levy , ? Krista Scarborough Tan ? , ?? Natalie Stones , Pete Tomasko , and Tommy Weinert !

Why?

Because what they do is serial, repeatable, and actionable.

They each are thinkers and tinkerers.