A dear friend recently shared an article with me to let me know they recognize my “Secret Sauce”. I was of course very grateful and flattered. http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20130717182801-48426-the-secret-sauce-of-great-recruiters In reading it, I thought of the friend that sent it to me and felt they too had this same “Secret Sauce” applied to their profession! Sometimes we forget or take for granted the things we do right or what makes us unique. Sometimes it can just take a quick email, with a simple link from an old friend to remind you. In further reflection of the article, I realize that the key factors are having genuine passion, a plan for success, pride in your work and focus on whatever task/job you are doing, your direct customer(s) and the world at large.
So how does this help you? Let’s walk through the highlighted characteristics and how they are critical to success in anything you do.
Here’s what the article states as “secret sauce of a great recruiter”
“1. Authentic Compassion. The best recruiters are often labeled as a “people person” but what that really means is that they are incredible listeners and they truly care about the people they interact with. Compassion is even more powerful in the long term as people build a relationship and interact across multiple roles and/or companies.
2. Agile Builders. The best recruiters are data driven and iterate with the same discipline and frequency as the best software developments teams. Understanding a problem (such as sourcing, interview process, closing a candidate), measuring performance and using a sprint process to optimize results on a regular basis are fundamentally agile development skills and requirements for top recruiters.
3. Positive Marketers. Every interaction an external person has with your company is a marketing impression. This includes every email, phone call or news article, and every person they talk to including a recruiter, front desk admin, interviewer or executive. The best recruiters know this and use every impression as an opportunity to have a positive impact. People often forget that 99% of the time you make an impression on an external person you will not ever hire them so the risk of that impression being negative is high. If every interaction is positive, you will impact not only those individuals but a broad network of potential future hires.
4. Communication Artists. In today’s electronic and busy workplace, communication is an often overlooked art. The best recruiters are able to handle three widely varying communication requirements — sourcing new candidates, rejecting existing candidates and internal process alignment — with the same level of empathy, positivity and discipline. Each of these communications is an art in its own right and the best recruiters manage all three such that every interaction leads to positive momentum.”
Here’s why it’s critical path to incorporate this “Secret Sauce” into your career management plan.
1. Authentic Compassion. The key words to me here are “incredible listeners” and “truly care about the people they interact with”. We talk about it on “Your Career is Calling” http://www.1077thebronc.com/?page_id=111 the key to success is networking- building relationships. It takes time, but the foundation can be created in an instant (i.e. an interview). Part of building a powerful relationship is trying to understand where the other person is coming from, learning where you can help and provide value. So whether you are in an interview, working in a cross-functional team, or meeting with your boss…actively participate… life is short… it’s not a dress rehearsal.
2. Agile Builders. The key words to me here are “data driven” and “Understanding a problem (such as sourcing, interview process, closing a candidate), measuring performance and using a sprint process to optimize results”. In Step 1- you actively listened, understand the pain point you need to resolve and now in Step 2 you need the data- the plan – how will you successfully exceed expectations? Like my Dad used to say… to do the job right, you need the right tools as well as …. Knowledge is power. Put yourself in a position of power!
3. Positive Marketers. The key words to me here are “Every interaction an external person has with your company is a marketing impression; and If every interaction is positive, you will impact not only those individuals but a broad network”. You are always on. I forget where I heard this, but I remember either reading or hearing someone tell me “EVERYTHING MATTERS!” Not to stress you out or cause anxiety- you can always recover and learn from a mistake, but do your best, be your consistent, authentic self and stay positive. I’ve written about the power of positive thinking, tweet positive quotes https://twitter.com/G45Consulting and have done an entire radio show on the effects (archives available here: http://comm.rider.edu/thebronc/?page_id=356 ) The Power of Positive Thinking April 7, 2013. We also recently had a guest discussing the effect of the positive workplace: Transforming IT Culture– June 23, 2013- (while he talks about “Information Technology” Culture- the concepts translate to any workplace). STAY POSITIVE.
4. Communication Artists. The key words to me here are “Each communications is an art in its own right and every interaction leads to positive momentum.” Any time you interact, you need to be sensitive to what message you are communicating. We recently did two different radio shows on the mechanics of your message. You can check out archives of the show here: http://comm.rider.edu/thebronc/?page_id=356 Check out the shows from The Importance of Netiquette– June 16, 2013 – and The Art of Communication– June 30, 2013
As my mission is to help others “Work with passion…. Live inspired!” I encourage you to ENGAGE and ENJOY! Like Gene Simmons says… “I don’t wait for the calendar to figure out when I should live life.”
If you are looking to make a change in your career, and are stuck, it’s not working, or just can’t get going, let us help you in your journey. If you don’t do it now, when will you? Dreaming without a plan is like thinking you are going to win the lottery and never buying a ticket. Get your admission ticket to a Career Yenta Boot Camp! Let’s get going.
If you would like to check out the radio show from this past week:
http://www.1077thebronc.com/?page_id=356
If you would like to enroll for a Career Yenta Boot CampTM session or sponsor a friend or loved one or previous employees as outplacement:
Give us a call- join us at boot camp!
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