I am lucky to have found the best job ever! Looking back at my career in retail and the past decade in retail recruitment, I have really been able to pursue my passion for retail and people, and combine this for my love of recruitment and consulting.
Recruitment is not an easy career choice, and throughout the years I have met many aspirational people who have failed along the way. It is difficult to find the balance in recruitment and you definitely need tough skin and a good deal of humility to be successful. Recruitment is either a life of champagne or razor blades, and there is nothing in between. One minute you will be on a high from a client or candidate who sings your praises, and the next minute, you will be at the receiving end of abuse for one reason or another. It is how you manage this and work through the tough times and the good ones that makes a successful recruiter.
Here are a few guidelines to follow for anyone looking to pursue a career in recruitment consulting;
#1
Know your industry
Coming from a retail background, this has helped me understand the day to day operations of being on the floor and managing people in this environment. This has helped when talking to clients or candidates as we can talk the same language and understand a persons role from the inside out.
Talk to people and build a network. A community of good people across varying levels is important to have and most clients will look for your knowledge and network when wanting to employ your services
#2
Listen!
This is one of the hardest things to learn for any recruiter, and I still have times where I am consciously biting my tongue to talk! Remember the rule of 80/20 – that is, we should be doing 20% of the talking with our client or candidate taking the 80% majority.
#3
Constructive Criticism
Be prepared to take this from anyone at any time. Always ask where you can improve and why. I continue to do this with every ongoing client as we are not perfect and in order for our professional relationship to continue at the best levels, let’s listen and learn from each other on how best to work together.
#4
You can’t be everything to everyone
One of the hardest lessons in recruitment, but very true. We would all love to work with every client and candidate out there, but as individuals, some will not connect with you as you wish they would. This is ok. Know this and strengthen those relationships where there is a true connection. Most clients and candidates will work with you when there is a good professional connection.
#5
Love what you do!
If you don’t love what you do, then probably you won’t be the best at it… Passion really makes up for the remaining 20% so if you love what you do every day like I do, then people will see this and respond to it.
#6
Never compromise
Never compromise on quality. For anyone reading my posts, I say this a lot, and it is so true… NEVER compromise on quality as people remember the not so good things, rather than the fabulous achievements.
I hope these points have helped for anyone looking to pursue this industry and be passionate about it as I am. Wishing you the best of success in whatever you do!
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