4 Things Recruiters Should Avoid Doing This Year

By Alicia Geigel on March 18, 2019

When a new year starts, everyone is looking to improve in some aspect of their life, whether it be in their personal or professional life. Since none of us are perfect, there are always ways to improve or even avoid making the same mistakes of the past — and just because it’s already March doesn’t mean it’s too late to put those resolutions into action!

Recruiters have an important job and unique position in the workforce, as you have to sort through resumes and filter through prospective hires. The high frequency of applicants and pressure to secure a top candidate for your position can leave you vulnerable to making silly mistakes and potentially burning yourself out in the process. Fulfilling these duties are not easy, but if you have an understanding of things to avoid doing in the workforce, not only will you be able to navigate your responsibilities easily but you’ll also create a better environment for yourself!

Are you currently a recruiter? Wanting to improve your techniques and avoid making repeated mistakes? Have a desire to set yourself apart and be a better recruiter? Check out these four things that recruiters should avoid doing this year. Not only will you gain new information but you’ll also learn new tips on how to be the best you can in your industry!

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1. Don’t Neglect Personal Development: In any job, it’s always important to try and improve yourself and your skillset. As a recruiter who constantly deals with people, it’s necessary to continue to develop more skills and techniques as it will help you and help your company! Try to build more confidence in yourself and your ability to do your job effectively and to the standard your company demands. Smile often, give firm handshakes, make good eye contact, and engage with the candidate in an attentive and understanding way.

In an article by Lysha Holmes for TheUndercoverRecruiter.com, she additionally suggests to, “write into a journal every night- it allows for a healthy nights sleep as it encourages a brain dump and reflection each day.”

2. Don’t Forget to Balance: For people like recruiters who essentially are working outside of a physical building and into the boundaries of their homes, work-life balance can become skewed and very imbalanced.

Don’t forget to live outside of your job and enjoy life for what it is. Take the time to indulge in hobbies that you enjoy, take a lunch break outside, sleep in an extra hour on the weekend, etc. Do whatever you can do to make yourself feel rejuvenated and reconnected with life, because let’s face it, work sometimes does become our life, but that doesn’t mean it has to bet that way!

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3. Don’t Act Disrespectful: In any professional environment, it is important to always be respectful when dealing with co-workers or clients. Since we are human, it can be easy to throw respect out the window when we are flustered and frustrated. However, as a recruiter, it is important to always be respectful, no matter what the circumstance. Effective communication is about being transparent, honest and open with your candidate about specific things regarding the job position, all while being respectful and considerate at the same time.

Ken Schmitt and Vicky Willenberg of TurnPointExecSearch.com write, “Respect and politeness should always be standard protocol for any recruiter. Keep all communications professional. If someone isn’t interested, accept the answer graciously, and don’t continue to send inquiries.”

4. Don’t Focus on Quantity over QualityIn a strong effort to produce a line of candidates perfect for the appropriate position, recruiters can often become too broad in selecting candidates, resulting in a sloppy group that doesn’t have the necessary skills to fulfill the job. This year, remember to focus on quality over quantity of candidates. It’s important to go out of your way to make sure that there is a decent pool of candidates to refer to hiring managers when the time comes, and not simply focusing on building a group of people to fill a vacant position at a company.

Schmitt and Willenberg note, “If your focus is on gathering the largest possible number of candidates instead of finding the most qualified people, you will undermine your commitment to presenting the best available talent to your client.”

Being a recruiter is demanding, and requires you to have excellent communication and networking skills, strong familiarity with technology, good marketing strategies and techniques, and above all else, the ability to connect not only with your candidate but also your fellow recruiters and your company at large. Unlearning some of your previous mistakes or even incorporating new strategies or techniques in your work can be tough.

Though it may take a while to get there, you have the ability to become a better recruiter if you are able to maintain confidence and align yourself with goals for the year! As always, good luck!

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