How to Become a Better Recruiter in 2018

With over a million positions open every year, recruiters are tasked with the important role of obtaining top talent for their organizations or clients. This job isn’t just for anyone! Great recruiting has been somewhat overshadowed by bad agencies using quick-win tactics and rushing to fill employer’s vacancies with bodies rather than finding the right fit by matching the talent with the job descriptions.

To help, we’ve come up with a few tips and considerations for you to increase your capabilities as a recruiter this year!

· Be completely transparent. With the millions of Millennials entering the workforce every day, transparency has become a huge desire among applicants. Be real and honest about the organization and its culture. Don’t make everything seem like rainbows and butterflies to the applicants just to get the position filled!

· This one should be obvious, but don’t discriminate. Unfortunately, there have been instances where recruiters have assumed that someone isn’t fit for the job based on demographics, yet they are perfectly capable of preforming all the necessary functions of the position.

· Build a relationship with your talent pool. Know their expectations and desires. Even if you are recruiting for a specific job within your organization, or recruiting for multiple companies, you should still know the people you’ve been hired to select. Getting to know the targeted talent will make you a better recruiter and enhance your ability to match those people to the jobs needed.

· Communication is always key! Don’t overwhelm the talent, but keep an open line of communication and updates throughout your relationship with them. There have been times applicants apply for a position and never hear another word from the recruiter beyond the initial submission of their resume. Yes, you are probably busy, but making your talent feel like they matter is crucial. Even if that one person didn’t fit the job, they may be excellent for another position later. Don’t burn the bridge by not following up!

Individuals in recruiting roles should look at their job as the bridge itself. You are the foundation that lies between the candidate and the organization. Make it a solid, safe, and an open bridge.