The Recruiter Files

News and Advice from the Recruiting Industry!

The Recruiter Files is a Select Group of Recruiting Professionals sharing their experiences, knowledge and thoughts regarding the Recruiting Industry.

The Recruiter Files - News and Advice from the Recruiting Industry!

Star Trek taught me how to be a better Recruiter…

SpockTraits you can learn from Star Trek that can help you become a better recruiter and “Live Long and Prosper”:

  1. James T. Kirk – Go with your gut.   Use your experiences and gut feelings.  
  2. Spock – Make the Logical Decision.   Most of the time the logical decision is the right decision.
  3. Dr. McCoy (Bones) – I’m a Recruiter not a miracle worker.
  4. Montgomery Scott (Scotty) – Know how the Recruiting engine works and how all of its components run together.
  5. Nyota Uhura – Speak many languages.   Not all positions/industries are the same.
  6. The Enterprise – It is the main structure behind us.   Use and take advantage of all of your available resources.

Can you think of any others?

 

 

 

Recruiting Scrum

Do you have a lot of Meetings?   How often do you meet?  I think that sometimes we meet too often and lose productivity and sight of our goals.    At the same time, it is also important to meet and know what the Recruiting team is doing and working on.

Do you have a virtual or in-house Recruiting team?    Do you meet and review daily?    I recommend implementing a Daily Recruiting Scrum.   Scrum is not just an IT Term – it is an approach ( A Methodology) that can be used in other industries and jobs.

What is a Daily Recruiting Scrum?   It is a Meeting that starts, on time daily (the earlier the better) with all members of the Team.   Each person will discuss two things:   What they did yesterday and what their plans are for today.   It is a brief 1-2 minute sentence from each member.   That’s it.   Basic and effective.

This way everyone knows what each other is doing and what they did yesterday.   It holds everyone accountable for what they said they are going to be working on.   It is the place to ask for help if you need any.   Try it and see what happens.

Recruiters: Your First Conversation is Key…

Recruiters – the first conversation you have with potential Candidates and Clients is one key that can lead to more success.    Think about your conversations.  

  1. How was your introduction?   
  2. What are the key points that make you stand out, from your competition?
  3. What can your Candidates and your Clients expect from you?
  4. What do you expect from your Candidates and Clients?

I believe you need to set these expectations and make sure your information was presented correctly.   There are too many recruiters who just go through the motions.   Set yourself apart and let them know how you are different.

 

Recruiters: Stop Emailing and Pick up the Phone…

Why are you emailing the Client or Jobseeker every little question?  stop-sign2 I was talking with another recruiter about an open req. and their response was…I emailed them.  My thought was….Why?

I find that too many Recruiters are hiding behind the computer.    Do not be afraid to hear No or an answer you do not want to hear.   Picking up the phone builds the relationship between you and the Client and you and the Job Seeker.  Email can be a useful tool and complimentary tool but I believe your main source of communication should be the phone. 

My challenge to you:  Use the phone for everything for a month, change your habits and see how many more relationships and placements you can make.   Stop hiding and let your voice be heard.

Recruiters: New Boolean Sourcing Tool – Recruitin

I was recently told about a new tool – Recruitin.    I was told it let you X-ray LinkedIn, by creating the boolean for you, so I figured I would give it a try, last week.

First, make sure your web browser will allow pop-ups.  You will need this turned on to get the results.   After you are on the site, Recruitin, you just fill out the following tabs: 

  1. Country you want to Search.  Use the pull down menu to select the country.
  2. Job Title.  Enter in the job title you are looking for.  (also click the box for similar job titles.  This way if you are searching for a Project Manager you will also pull up PM and so on.)
  3. Fill out and list the location and key words. (Use a comma to separate the words.  For example:  Columbus, Ohio, OH, Engineer, PLC, automation, solidworks)
  4. Exclude words.   Do you have any words you do not want to search for, if so list them here, also separate by using a comma.   If you do not have any words to exclude you leave it blank.
  5. Degree.   Use the pull down menu to select a specific degree or leave it blank.
  6. Finally click the button – Find your people.

You will now notice a Boolean String at the top of the page.   This is an X-ray string that is using Google to X-ray and deep dive into LinkedIn.    You can either save the string or click on “open in Google”.  If you click on open in Google, a new window will pop up with your results.  You do not need to be connected to the people on LinkedIn to see the full names.    It doesn’t matter if you are a first connection, second connection, or connected at all.

I also suggest you save your strings, if you wish to reuse them.   You will see your saved strings on the right hand side of the screen.

Try it and play around with it.    Recruitin has its own user guide here, if you need more help.  I think it works pretty good.   If you do not like writing your own strings and need some help – this could be a useful tool for you to use.

 

 

Recruiters: Don’t Get Mad. Get Better…

Have you ever had a candidate that you thought was a slam dunk.   There was no way this candidate was not going to get the job.   Then the phone rings and the client says they have chosen another candidate.  Huh?  What just happened?    How did this Happen?   This is not a time to get mad – use it to get better.

Look back into the 30 steps in the placement process.    Did you skip a step?    Most of the time, when a placement doesn’t happen you can trace it back to something that you, the Recruiter, missed or skipped. 

Look back and think.   How was your presentation?   Was it complete or did you just send a weak description because you were sure you had it in the bag?   Did you receive the up-front contract with the client company?    What about your interview briefing and debriefing?   Were you pre-closing?   What could you have done better as a recruiter?

In this business we hear a lot of No’s.    You can not get too upset when you hear a No – you have to strive to better your craft and reduce the percentages of No’s that you hear.

Company Party’s Do’s and Don’ts (5 Tips)

Many company’s have gatherings, summer picnics and/or holiday parties.     This is a great chance for you to make a name for yourself and get to know others, in your company, by doing it the right way.   Do not be “that” employee who regrets what they said, did or acted like in front of everyone.

Below are some tips of things to do and to stay away from:

  1. Sit with others you normally do not work with, on a daily basis.  
  2. Spread out and network with others in the company.  Introduce yourself to others - who you do not know.
  3. Do Not Drink!   Have a coke or juice.   There is no rule that says you have to drink at these functions.    If you do drink – I recommend stopping after one.
  4. This is still a work function – Be Professional.   Don’t be that person everyone is talking about the next day at the office.
  5. No flirting.   This is not a dating event.

 

This is your chance to maybe meet some other managers, directors or even C-Level Executives.    Be professional, network and use this moment to build your career.   Don’t ruin it with a stupid mistake.

Don’t be the Annoying Orange (5 tips to help)…

Are you a Job Seeker?   Are you in Sales?   Are you trying to get someone’s attention?   Don’t be the Annoying Orange.   If you are calling a Hiring Manager or Recruiter:   Have a good reason to contact them, not “just to check in.”

 

 

 

5 Tips to help you not become the Annoying Orange:

  1. Be Professional
  2. Don’t be overwhelming
  3. Ask when is a good day and time to follow-up with them (get permission to call them back)
  4. Establish a partnership with them
  5. Help them with their pain.   Don’t be the pain.

Your goal should be to establish a partnership with them, not to anger, annoy, harass or make them upset.    It is a process, they will not be your best friend overnight. 

 

 

6 Steps on How to Train a NEW Recruiter…

To be a successful recruiter, you need to possess certain traits.   These are not learned they are part of who you are.    However when you do hire a new recruiter (Newbie), you cannot throw everything at them at once.   Here is a the step-by-step approach that I like to use.

  • Step 1:  Start with a job description and how to dissect it.  Next, teach the Newbie how to navigate the job boards.   You want them to be able to demonstrate they can find and deliver matching resumes to job descriptions.   They need to master this first.  It is important to know how to dissect both a resume and job description to find a match.
  • Step 2:  Searching LinkedIn and social media.   Now that your Newbie knows job boards, it is time to master the next step.   Can they find and source candidates using social media?   Get them set up on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and any other social media sites that may be useful to their sourcing.
  • Step 3:  Create a culture of learning.   There are many free webinars out there, about recruiting.   Go to YouTube and watch “how to” videos.     It is time to start learning more advanced sourcing (Boolean Strings and so on).   These first three steps are about sourcing and how to find the candidates that are active on the boards and the ones that may be passive.
  • Step 4:  Time to start talking to the candidates.   Now that your Newbies are delivering matching candidates (at least on paper), it is time to pre-screen.    Initiate conversations with candidates, verify they are interested and go over the basics.    If they are a fit, let the candidate know a Sr. Recruiter will contact them to go over the job requirements and their background in more detail.    (Let the Newbie sit and listen to your conversation with them).
  • Step 5:  Your Newbie should now also be sitting and listening to you while you talk to the client and candidate.   They need to be learning and listening to the interview prep, briefing and all 30 steps of the placement process.   All of these steps will probably take at least up to 6 months if not longer to learn…training is an investment and a marathon - not a sprint.    
  • Step 6:  Finally, when pre-screenings are accurate, Newbies are ready to be fully engaged.   Start them with a job or two as a full-cycle recruiter and see how they do.   You will need to sit and listen and be available for questions.

The goal of this six step method is to get the Newbie to be an expert, one step at a time before they move on, to the next.   

What are your thoughts?

The 4 Do’s and Don’ts of Networking

Are you networking?    Some people are, but EVERYONE should be.    While networking this past month or so, I have run across some Do’s and Don’ts that I think everyone should follow.   

DO

  1. Keep in touch with industry leaders  (Nationally and Locally)
  2. Have coffee or lunch with industry leaders, co-workers and even competitors at least once a quarter.
  3. Pay it Forward
  4. Use social media to stay up to date on your industry and their trends.  Make sure your online profiles (LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and About.me) are filled out 100% with details describing who you are and what you do.

DON’T

  1. Ask someone to lunch or a coffee, to pick their brain, to ask for advice and then make them pay.   If you ask for the meeting, you should pay.
  2. Take, take, take and never give.
  3. Send a generic invite to connect on social media – Personalize each one.
  4. Be concerned with only your agenda.  Always ask how you can help them.

JobSeekers: Be prepared. That next phone call could be me…

Job Seekers – Did you know that the first conversation I have with you is probably the most important?     This is where I do my initial screening in and decide whether we are going to continue our conversations.   If you are looking for a new career or job, then be ready for that phone to ring.   You never know when the person on the other line is a Recruiter trying to contact you about a job.  You should:

  • Be Professional
  • Not use slang or profanity
  • Not talk bad about a past employer, manager or co-worker
  • Answer the phone in a professional manner
  • Be honest
  • Show enthusiasm and excitement
  • Drop what you are doing and make this call a priority.   If you can’t, then apologize and ask when is a good time for you to call the recruiter back. (within 24 hours)
  • Print off the jobs you have applied for and be ready for a call.  
  • Have a professional voicemail message and email id.  (NOT:  Yo, you reached Smitty leave a message and I’ll call ya back.)

Reminder:  As recruiters we talk to candidates all day long and we are on the phone all day.    We have goals and SLAs we need to meet.   Our time is also precious.    Let’s make the first conversation count.   Impress me!  

 

 

30 Steps in the Placement Process

I received this list over 10 years ago and just refound it.   I love the fact that it says “Placement Process” and not recruiting process.    We are in this business to make placements!  

30 steps in the Placement Process

  1. Take a COMPLETE job order
  2. Make a Recruiting Plan
  3. File Search
  4. Name Gathering
  5. Candidate Contact
  6. Candidate Profile
  7. Presentation of Candidate to Employer
  8. Set-up First Interview
  10. Confirm Appointment with Candidate and Employer (Prep Employer)
  11. Debrief Candidate
  12. Debrief Employer
  13. Set Second Interview
  14. Reference Check
  15. Second Interview, Prep Candidate (Trial Closing)
  16. Second Interview, Prep Employer (Trial Closing)
  17. Confirm Second Interview with Employer and Candidate
  18. Debrief Candidate (Closing)
  19. Debrief Employer (Closing)
  20. Closing/Negotiating
  21. Offer/Acceptance/Start Date
  23. Resignation Debrief
  24. CELEBRATE!!
  25. Billing Prep
  26. Fill out Billing Information
  27. Stay in Touch with Candidate
  28. Confirm that the Candidate has Started
  29. Stay in Touch with Candidate and Employer
  30. Get the Check

What would you add or delete from the list?

 

 

Recruiters offer HOPE…

Recruiters need to remember the one thing they offer candidates, is HOPE.  I recently participated and presented at the Scioto Ridge Job Networking Group, Tuesday Tune-up.  I was there to help Job Seekers search for work using social networking, using internet tools and to give tips and suggestions.   One of the main points and discussions was on, how to work with a Recruiter.  I had many conversations, with different individuals – all looking for one thing – HOPE.

The next candidate you talk to – even if they are not a fit for your opening or company – Remember you are still able to give them the HOPE they need to help find work, in this economy.  Maybe it is a hint on how to improve their resume, an interview tip, an internet site that may help their search, a networking group – or any bit of information that may help them.  Take a minute with each candidate this week, this month or longer and give them HOPE.

8 Phrases that Describe a Successful Recruiter…

A Good Recruiter is:

  1. Having relationships with a side of good timing.
  2. A partner/advisor.  
  3. A candidate and client ally.
  4. A person you need most when you least expect it.
  5. An interview coach/job coach.
  6. A salesman and negotiator.
  7. A cyber sleuth.
  8. A networking expert.

What would you add or delete from this list?

 

See also my post on top traits of a successful recruiter.

Networking: Enough to go Around…

People always ask me, why I network and share my ideas?  Why would I help a competitor or another recruiter gain expertise and knowledge?  Simple, there is enough to go around, try to build good karma.

As you know, Recruiters don’t always have the best name/reputation in the business.  There are “used car salesman” recruiters that give honest recruiters a bad name and a bad rap.  But if I do the little things, with my fellow recruiters and my candidates, I am changing that view, one conversation at a time.

I try to keep in contact with old candidates.   I network with them.    I communicate and partner with them.    I may not have the right job for them today but you never know what will be open tomorrow.  Staying in contact with candidates also helps me get candidate referrals.   Good candidates always seem to know other good candidates.  

If I am unable to help a candidate today and they need a job – ASAP, I refer them to other recruiters.  You never know who may be able to help them.  Networking and sharing candidates, ideas, procedures with other recruiters,  will make me a better recruiter and a better person.   And it helps the candidate who needs that job. 

Networking and sharing helps me identify the candidates and recruiters, who I want to partner with.  Are there Recruiters who help me and give me new ideas?  Of course there is.  Are there Recruiters who do not share?  Yep, there are those also. The ones that share and network, I feel will also be successful.

In short – there are a lot of good people out there and enough knowledge and networking to go around.  Try it and pay it forward.