What makes a good Recruiter?

Recruitment leaders answer this question all the time.

Often it’s the usual qualities and stereotypes –

Must be intelligent and ideally have a degree

A natural go-getter with ambition

Good at sports and naturally competitive

Hungry and money motivated

Thick-skinned and resilient

A confident communicator and persuasive

The list goes on…….

Often, they are describing the attributes of a decent salesman and leaving the most important trait out that defines recruitment.

Most if not all the recruiters I have placed over the last decade share some of the above qualities, but it was never a prerequisite.

I’ve learnt that the best billers and the most successful people in executive search or agency recruitment are all very different from one another, but Recruitment Directors will try (and fail) to replicate that lightning in a bottle.

E.g.

“Oh Bill and Bob both used to play at semi-pro level, and they’re massively successful so that’s it… That’s the secret. We need to hire more competitive sportsmen! Hire more people like Bill and Bob!!!!”

I’m sorry to break it to you, but what Bill and Bob share is a coincidence, not the magic formula to recruitment success.

We can argue all day about what makes one successful at recruiting, but if I could just boil it down to one trait.

That 100% of all good recruiters share.

It’s very simple.

It’s in their title.

All good recruiters “Consult”.

Hence the title Recruitment “Consultant”.

If you’re reading this and you’re a senior member of a recruitment business, perhaps it’s time to find out if your hiring methods include screening for problem solvers who understand the importance of representing the most valuable commodity in the world.

An emotional product.

Talent.

If your company is doing this already, congratulations.

Take pride in knowing your team consists of a unique blend of individuals who each provide robust human capital solutions that your firm is reputable for.

There is one other thing that I screen to find the very best talent for recruitment.

It’s very simple but often overlooked

Maybe I’ll reveal that next time.

Thanks for reading.