The War On Talent!!**?? – And How to Become A Stellar Recruiter

If I read another article about the war on talent. I think I might scream! It’s everywhere isn’t it? Yet I do understand why. With the economy growing so does employment; well hopefully as the two are generally linked.

Data from the Office for National Statistics has reported that the UK is showing consistently healthy growth figures.

For recruitment companies that will mean more vacancies to fill. It also translates to more pressure on each recruitment consultant to find and deliver high caliber candidates; a challenge at any time. We know it’s the same when you are a rec to rec consultant; we too have clients that want the best recruiters around.

So what can you do to raise your game and get better what you do?

Invest in the best ‘fancy pants’ database software? Finally get your head around Boolean search! Pay for more adverts? Well maybe and maybe not.

All of the things I have mentioned have their place and I would suggest there are a few other things that you need to think about first.

Here is a technique I learned a while ago that has served me well over the years. Sit down and get a pad and pen; for once shut down your ipad and let’s go the old fashioned route.

Draw a line down the middle and at the top of column one write; what I am good at and on the top of column two write; what I could be better at. Now do this in private and don’t share it with anyone. This is for your eyes and reflection only.

The only way this will work is if you are honest and this isn’t about beating yourself up either. Keep writing and fill at least three sides. Don’t think and judge just get it down first; you can go back to it later.

Now highlight the ‘development’ column sentences that relate to bringing in more business and candidates. For example it might be that you need to get better at following up with people, perhaps your influencing and ‘selling skills’ are rusty? Then prioritise them by going with your gut reaction about what will give you the biggest shift in performance. Hint it will probably be around your influencing capabilities and your activity in the right areas (generally you can find candidates and clients; it’s what you say when you are in front of them that makes the difference).

Drum roll…… now make a decision to change it. That is it. No it isn’t rocket science. It’s about being honest about where you have ‘gone’ off the ball or where you have had a lack of focus on the right things.

There is a saying in the training and development world that if you are not moving forward you are in effect moving backwards. I know that sounds weird and its true. Think about it. The world we live in is developing at a rate of knots and that includes the human race and its abilities.

What next? Go and find that pad and pen, in the words of Sandra Bullock in the film blind side, you can thank me later.

Till next time,

Cheryl Wing and the GSR2R Team