Common Sense Rules for Recruiters
One of the advantages to being a “senior” member of a recruiting team is that I have a lot of years (i.e. I’ve been doing this for a LONG time) from which to glean my knowledge and experience. I also recognize that the means with which we can now do our job has changed drastically and will continue to evolve as technology improves (sidenote: I remember when a former boss finally agreed to fore go the Rolodex for a desktop computer for each of us and watching her point her mouse at the screen like a garage door opener) but common sense and basics of how we do our job and conduct ourselves as recruiters should not.
Far too often I hear stories from candidates and hiring managers about recruiters who more closely resemble used car salesmen or glorified paper pushers than professional recruiters and it absolutely makes my skin crawl. Here are just a few of the common sense/basic rules that we should all be following:
- You are often the first impression a candidate has of the company. Just like you are passing judgment on their skill set and experience, a candidate is assessing if the way you treat them is indicative of how employees are treated within your organization. So regardless of their qualifications, always be respectful. Always.
- When you are interviewing (phone or in-person) pay attention to THEM. Don’t multi-task just because they can’t see you, and don’t check your email or take a call while they are sitting in front of you. Ever.
- If a co-worker or hiring manager isn't returning an email or if you are going back and forth over email and not getting anything resolved, pick up the damn phone and call them OR walk to their office and actually talk to them. It’s amazing how well TALKING to someone actually works. Technology is awesome but not always the best means to communicate.
- Follow through with your candidates and hiring managers. If you say you are going to do X, then do it. Duh.
- Pay it forward. Every week you should do something or help someone else find a job or make the one they’re in better. When I was unemployed several years ago I was shocked at the number of people who went out of their way to help me. I was equally as shocked by the number of fellow recruiters who didn't return my calls or emails.
and last but not least…
- If you don’t enjoy recruiting or being a recruiter, then get a new job -- you’re making those of us who love it, look bad.
Find me at google.com/+NellThayerHeisner11 or on Twitter @nellthayer
