How To Be Successful In Turbulent Times

Life as a recruiter is rarely smooth sailing- and current conditions are certainly making things a bit turbulent for a lot of you in your sectors!

The Brexit referendum looms closer, and the result— whatever it is— will affect the employment landscape across Britain and Europe. Already, many employers are holding off recruiting until the decision has been reached- an understandable tactic on their part, but one which has serious ramifications for recruiters and the candidates they represent.

Your challenges aren’t restricted to Brexit, with lower than anticipated economic growth and certain sectors such as construction, oil and gas all feeling the pinch.

So, do you have to sit helplessly while world events and stock markets play merry havoc with your billing numbers? No you don’t! As always, the key to surviving (and even excelling) in turbulent times is to make your break NOW for dominance in your sector. Through becoming a standout recruiter you will secure the plum clients and candidates in your sector, and thereby immunise yourself against fluctuating market forces.

Tough times are when the less able recruiters start to flounder and fail. That does not have to be you.

How to Mark Yourself as a Top Recruiter and Weather the Storm

1. You choose your recruitment company wisely. This is not the time for loyalty to the small firm that gave you your first job if they’re struggling in the current climate. To succeed in turbulent times, you need to be working for the recruiters that have the best reputation in your sector and are financially strong enough to weather some lean times.

2. You expand your network.  Get on the phone, build your social media presence, attend events, and physically meet with candidates to build rapport.

3. Make yourself known in your field. Go to seminars and networking events, join groups on LinkedIn and specialist forums. There’s no point sitting in the corner listening quietly either- you need to actually participate to become known as an expert in your field.

4. Start studying. You need to become the most knowledgeable person in the room on your specialist subject, as well as wider recruitment industry developments.

5. You work furiously on mapping and building your talent pipeline. This is what will save you, so seek new talent everywhere you look. Give old candidates a call and ask if they know any talented people, don’t be shy about reaching out to passive candidates, and be super-alert for movers and shakers across related industries. The great restaurant manager you met who effortlessly charmed you into buying that expensive wine? That’s a natural salesperson with great people skills and a hunger to make the sale. Are they looking for a career change? Think creatively about potential.

6. Take more time with candidates to really sound them out and dig into their references and aspirations before putting them forward. All it takes is one bad placement experience to make a client (or candidate) lose faith in you.

7. Be brave. Your clients are probably fielding calls from other recruiters keen to lure them away from you, so be brave and ask your client for an honest performance appraisal, and work on a strategy to overcome any negative perceptions.

8. Dress smart and act the part. 93% of people’s impressions are based not on what we say, but how we come across. Always dress professionally, work on your body language, and consider your delivery. Do you talk at the right speed, volume and tone to make people have confidence in what you’re saying?

Looking to the future

If Britain votes to remain in the EU, you can soon expect the phones to start ringing again as companies regain confidence to start hiring. As for if the Leave campaign wins the day? We can’t know for sure, but a study by CV Library has revealed that 43.2% of UK recruiters believe a Brexit will cause further skill shortages and reduce access to viable candidates- meaning that your dominance of your sector will be more important than ever.

Now is the time to skill up, network like mad, and stamp your authority on your recruitment niche. Don’t be a victim of history; it’s time to make your mark.

Until next time,

Cheryl