7 traits of an Amazing recruiter

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I recently wrote a tongue in cheek blog post about the 7 signs you are a stereotypical recruiter (http://ukrecruiter.co.uk/7-signs-youre-stereotypical-recruiter/).  This blog post re-addresses the balance with the 7 traits of an amazing recruiter:

1.  You are truly consultative.  In the long term successful recruiters are those that take the time to really understand the client’s requirements rather than making assumptions which fit the candidates you have on your book or you know are easy to find.

2. You have sound industry and sector knowledge.  In order to be consultative you need to know which questions to ask in order to actually help the client understand and develop their own requirements helps.

3.  Knowing when to walk away.  Not taking on more work than you can manage, not taking low fee high volume campaigns when you could be working on the good stuff.  Saying no to a client who won’t budge from their unrealistic salary expectations.  This also applies at the final stages; if you realise part way through the process that the fit isn’t right for the client/candidate you need to be able to pull the plug and start again.  Honesty is painful but essential!

4. Getting the money up front. In the majority of cases clients who won’t commit to paying a retainer are not clients you want.  Yes, sometimes you need to take a punt with a great opportunity, but in general the best guys in the business are doing retained work.

5. Having a great boss (or being your own great boss).  Being targeted on dumb things (like how many CVs you send out each day) is never going to allow you to show your entrepreneurial skills, build trustworthy relationships with clients, or in fact focus on the money.  Having a boss who trusts you to do what’s needed to bring in the business is key.  It’s also nice to have one who provides you with training, support and a sounding board when necessary

6.  You actually give a damn about your clients and candidates.  Passion is key.  If you don’t have passion you won’t have the tenacity to stick with it when it all goes wrong (which it regularly does seeing as we deal with real people with real emotions in this industry).

7. The ability to do more than one thing at a time AND remember the details of every person you have ever met.  Well, not quite, but a photographic memory and the ability to multitask (and process multiple opportunities) certainly helps.

When I was writing this I asked for a bit of help on Twitter – and this blog post certainly sparked a lot of debate.  So big thank you to @LisaMariJones, @andywhamilton, @neilmorrison, @cam_woodhouse, @JasonGiller, @knockbuckle and @CalibreSimon

It also promoted a more humorous list from @stephenodonn

1. Your colleagues hate you

2. Your boss invites you to his/her home

3. You get headhunted all the time

4. Your partner doesn’t recognise you (as they never see you)

5. Your wedding invites include more than 10 HR Managers

6. Your find yourself interviewing complete strangers you have just met

7. The godparents of your first child are also your biggest clients

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