What Successful Recruiters Do That Others Should Start Doing

Recruiting is a dynamic field that requires a knack for identifying talent and matching them to the right roles. But what distinguishes successful recruiters from the rest?

Let’s shed some light on three crucial practices successful recruiters do, which others should start incorporating in their recruitment strategies.

1. Successful Recruiters Emphasize Employer Branding

Imagine a candidate comes across a job post by your company. They are likely to Google your organization before they hit the ‘Apply’ button. The question is – will they like what they see? Successful recruiters know the power of employer branding in luring high-quality talent.

The power of story-telling is often missed in recruiting. So many recruiters jump right to role fit without taking the necessary time to tell the story of the company. Candidates want to connect with organizations at a deeper level so successful recruiters take the time to invest in story telling.

Teaming up with the marketing department, these recruiters work on shining a spotlight on their company’s values, culture, and perks across multiple channels like social media, career websites, and job portals. It’s about selling the entire experience of working at the organization, not just the job itself.

For example, a small tech company ramped up its employer branding by showcasing employees’ involvement in community service. Their commitment to STEM education as a way to break the pverty cycle in their communities allowed employees to go into high schools and conduct training workshops. These workshops exposed youth to the opportunities in the tech sector and foster interest in the field. This strategic move gave potential candidates a clear picture of the company’s social responsibility, enhancing its appeal to top-tier talent. (Check out HatchFutures.)

2. Successful Recruiters Use Innovative Sourcing Techniques

“Thinking outside the box” is a cliché for a reason; it works. Successful recruiters aren’t just relying on traditional methods like job postings and referrals. They’re digging deeper, tapping into the power of innovative sourcing techniques.

One of these techniques involves the use of LinkedIn. This social media platform, teeming with professionals across various industries, serves as a treasure trove for recruiters hunting for passive candidates.Additionally, they’re not shying away from delving into industry-specific forums and online communities. Engaging with individuals in these spaces can lead to discovering talent that conventional sourcing methods might overlook.

One recruiter I worked with loved the forums and was an active participant in them, mainly to teach herself about some of the emerging technologies. Over time, this allowed her not only to recruit fantastic. talent but also become an invaluable partner to her hiring managers who began seeing her as a subject matter expert. There really is not a downside to this tactic.

3. Successful Recruiters Foster Candidate Relationships

Being a recruiter is not just about filling a vacancy. It’s about building relationships. Successful recruiters understand the importance of maintaining connections with potential candidates who may not have been a perfect fit for a previous role but showed promise.

I know throughout my career, I would interview a candidate who was a great catch for the company but we did not have the ideal role at the time. Over months or even years, we would develop a relationship and share industry knowledge or networking opportunities. When the perfect role came along, it was an easy phone call to get the candidate in and hired. I have to say, this has been one of the aspects of recruiting that has kept me in the industry for over twenty years.

By cultivating these relationships and keeping these candidates in the loop about relevant company updates and job opportunities, recruiters not only have a ready pool of talent to dip into, but they also build a positive image of the company in these candidates’ eyes.

If you like this topic, check out the 3 Traits of a Successful Recruiter.

Conclusion

Being a recruiter is no walk in the park. It requires the ability to adapt and innovate in a constantly changing talent landscape. But by emphasizing employer branding, exploring innovative sourcing techniques, and fostering candidate relationships, you can level up your recruitment game.These are the things successful recruiters do, and they’re practices that every recruiter should consider adopting. After all, the success of an organization starts with the talent you bring onboard.