Why you should meet a recruiter every now and then...

The recruitment industry was built on networking. Those early trailblazers in this sector couldn’t rely on a social media to find your details.

They didn’t have LinkedIn to show you their personal brand. But because of the rather simplistic methods at their disposal, there was one skill all the best recruiters had up their sleeve - They were fantastic networkers.

They met people like you. A lot of people. In all manner of settings. At events. Drinks evenings. Cafes. But most crucially, intentionally and regularly.

And every time they did, a connection was made. It was an opportunity for candidates, much like you, to build a rapport with someone well-connected. OK, they might not have anything for you right away, but what harm could be done?

Then something happened. Over the years, the world went digital. You were able to ‘meet’ recruiters online. Email usurped snail mail. Selfies flooded LinkedIn, and personal brands took the nation by storm. Ironically, whilst rarely being in person.

As this happened, in person networking started to suffer.

The dying embers of the fire were then extinguished totally by the cold front of COVID.

Well, today, I’m here to tell you, it’s time for a rebirth.

The reasons you might not want to network in person are obvious.

Firstly, it’s time consuming. You’ve got a job to do, and meeting a recruiter in the UK has become a transactional affair. Especially if you’re not actively searching.

What if nothing comes of it?

What if the person you’re meeting doesn’t have a good job for you?

It could be a waste of an hour. And then there’s the tube. Or sitting in traffic rushing back. It could be hassle, for little reward.

Only, this is the mindset which will limit the depth of your business relationships. Limiting your professional catch ups to transactional affairs is the antithesis of networking.

Meeting people in person gives you a connection like nothing else. It gives you depth and familiarity which eclipses speaking on the phone by a huge margin.

OK, it’ll take longer. But getting ahead in your career is, and always will be, a process built on people. The power of connection. Your power of connection. Who you know, and how well you know them. And the right recruiter in your corner can make all of the above easier.

Even finding a recruiter to meet you for a coffee might be tough. Unless you choose the right one to ask .

The benefits

These might seem like obvious points to make, but let’s rattle through some of the reasons being in person makes a difference.

Firstly a benefit you might not be expecting, but that may be evident after the pandemic.

Studies show people who engage in “positive relationships produce more oxytocin. They seem less likely to see negative effects from stress, anxiety, and depression.” So you’ll quite literally be happier if you meet more people in the flesh.

Yes, even recruiters.

Then there’s the actual logistics of it. Leaving the office, getting some fresh air, seeing a different view, will freshen your eyes and your mood. You’ll already know this after noticing the negative effects of spending all day in your home.

You need new perspective. Different locations, and more importantly people, will give you that.

Whether you’re meeting a recruiter about a job, the market, your CV, hiring for your team or just a coffee, you’re bound to hear new ideas and new advice you wouldn’t have got otherwise.

Make this a regular thing, at formal events and you’ll also hone your ability to work a room. Perfecting small talk in topics you might not be an expert in, is a fantastic trait to have. It’ll help you in interviews, and your overall career progression.

You’ll become more affable, more personable and more gregarious the more you speak to different people.

It’s true of most professions. But hiring especially is done between people. Not businesses. Not departments. And not limiting your interaction to just being data on a recruitment system.

It’s also an incredibly useful way of finding out what the market’s doing. And it doesn’t even have to be the hiring market. Exchanging ideas and info on the sector you work in can be invaluable. And recruiters constantly have their ears to the ground.

Sure, you could use Google Or ChatGPT. But the information you can muster from both of those sources is often out of date, and typically reliant on articles or opinions formed years ago.

Meet a recruiter however, and they’ll tell you what they’ve been hearing. What clients are telling them. Who’s hiring. What other candidates are saying. What new skills are being sought after. Where the money is. Which pockets of the industry look set for a boom.

It can really pay off.

And the better you are with people, in my experience, the more hireable you are.

The drawbacks

It takes time to build a wide and rewarding network. And finding a good recruiter with your best interests at heart can be tough.

It can also be a continuous process. Your career will evolve and so too your aspirations.

So think of networking as a way of working. A way of thinking. The more diverse you make it, the more beneficial it’ll be in the long run. And, fairly obviously don’t limit your networking to just meeting recruiters.

You’ll never really know where it can take you. In recruitment, there’s an old adage that candidates become clients, and vice versa.

But above all else, having a good circle of people who are good at their job will be hugely worthwhile.

You’ll find people who have the same character as you, which will make getting along, and business, all the easier. And those who are so unique you’ve never met anyone like them before. Both of these are worth their weight in gold.

Make time for it. Look forward to it and to practise it.