Tag: Entrepreneurism

1. Four Valuable Lessons I’ve Learned as a Recruiter

   February 29, 2024 3:27 pm

   I established my own search agency over 20 years ago and over the course of my career, I’ve encountered a multitude of experiences that have shaped my approach and taught me invaluable lessons. Here are four key takeaways that have significantly influenced my journey as a recruiter, that I hope will be of interest:

   1. Communication is Key

   One of the most fundamental lessons I’ve learned is the importance of effective communication throughout the recruitment process. From initial outreach to final negotiations, clear and timely communication is essential for fostering positive relationships with candidates and clients alike. Whether it’s providing feedback after interviews, managing expectations regarding job roles, or simply keeping candidates informed about the status of their application, transparent communication builds trust and credibility. Moreover, active listening plays a crucial role in understanding the needs and aspirations of both candidates and hiring managers. This allows you to tailor your approach accordingly and ensure alignment between all parties involved.

   2. Adapt but Focus

   The recruitment landscape is constantly evolving, driven by technological advancements, shifting market trends, and changing candidate expectations. As a recruiter, adaptability is not just a desirable trait but a necessity. Embracing new tools and methodologies, staying updated on industry best practices, and being willing to pivot strategies in response to emerging challenges are all critical aspects of staying ahead in the game. But be smart, not all new techniques and technologies are all they are cracked up to be and some may well have little impact on your ability to achieve your goals. Don’t always believe the hype – evaluate what will increase your effectivity and enable you to deliver better results. Don’t be afraid to dismiss products and new technology which will have little or no impact on your success.

   3. Build Meaningful Relationships

   Recruitment is not just about recruiting; it’s about connecting with people and making a positive impact on their lives and careers. Building meaningful relationships with candidates and clients goes beyond the transactional aspects of the job; it’s about understanding their goals, motivations, and aspirations on a deeper level. Taking the time to cultivate genuine connections will foster long-term partnerships built on mutual respect and trust. Commit to working with people that value you and what you do, and this will help you achieve a high success rate.

   Furthermore, maintaining a strong network of professionals within the industry not only expands opportunities for sourcing top talent but also facilitates knowledge-sharing and collaboration, enriching your own growth.

   Keep in mind that your relationships are with people and not necessarily with organisations. Always treat your candidates as customers – they could turn out to be your next client.

   4. Know your value and don’t be afraid to walk away

   There will be times when hiring managers or candidates don’t value you and what you do.  These are unlikely to be people you can help so it’s better to walk away.

   Don’t work on roles you are not confident that you can successfully appoint to. Why would you? It’s a waste of everybody’s time and effort and will ultimately damage your reputation and affect your ability to achieve a high success rate.

   Make sure you trust the client and ensure they are serious about the recruitment process. I’ve had the occasional experience of being asked to work on a role when it was obvious it wasn’t going to work; either because the client already had a candidate in mind or were struggling as an organisation and so would be difficult to work with as a recruiter.  Always ask yourself, is this is a suitable opportunity with a suitable organisation that I should recommend to my candidates?

   Stay true to your principles and focus on how you can increase your success rate getting as close to 100% as you can.

2. Harness entrepreneurism amongst your staff to benefit your business

   November 25, 2018 11:36 am

   Entrepreneurs have a certain flare and energy which can be a huge asset to any company. They thrive on generating ideas and seeing their thoughts come to life and are always finding ways to change the world.

   Encouraging your staff to think like entrepreneurs can boost productivity and morale and more importantly can take your organisation to a new level.

   Some typical personality traits of entrepreneurs include:

   • Reluctance to sit still at a desk all-day
   • Constantly thinking of ideas to improve the company
   • Extremely hard working and won’t give up easily
   • The ability to see failure as an opportunity to bounce back with an even better idea
   • The need to set and achieve regular personal goals and targets
   • The ability to inspire other people and colleagues.

   Recruiting and retaining staff with an entrepreneurial spirit can give your business a huge boost. An entrepreneur doesn’t see failures as a loss but as a learning opportunity to keep going and improve – a skill which a lot of people find hard to do.

   But such ambitious and energetic individuals need a supportive environment and careful management. Whilst they can really benefit a business, entrepreneurs by their very nature, are passionate about developing their own ideas which often means setting up on their own. It’s crucial that you harness their skills and energy, in a working environment that is more preferable to them setting up their own business. By providing them with support and career development opportunities you can secure their skills and benefit your entire workforce.

   When advertising for a new employee, explain the culture of the business to appeal to entrepreneurs. Show them that you can provide a relaxing and fun environment that allows them to reach their full potential and develop their ideas.

   Mixing a small percentage of people with entrepreneurial skills to work alongside loyal workers and a strong leader, can really take your organisation to new places.

   As a boutique headhunting consultancy, we encourage entrepreneurism amongst our own team to help new ideas flourish that can help the business grow.