Recruiter Training By Barb Bruno, CPC

As recruiters we are accustomed to the roller coaster of emotions that go along with the highs and lows of our profession. I have always said that we either love or hate our career – it depends on our production that day. Unfortunately, there is rarely a feeling of anything in between the love and hate. Therefore, it is important that you do everything you can to create a sense of balance. One excellent way to help enjoy the good times and tolerate the challenging times is to simply have fun. It seems like a simple concept, but you will find that you actually will need to make a conscious effort to have fun. When it is the 27th of the month, you had one no start last Monday, found out your MPC (most placeable candidate) has accepted a counter-offer and your “fill-by-itself” final interview ($57,000 fee) was, according to your candidate, “just not a fit.” It may sound dramatic, but if you have been a recruiter for more than six months, you know this situation is definitely possible.

Now, what can you do? Often you have done everything you can to handle the situation above. At times like those, after the tears and anger, you must find a way to get back to business. One way to deal with difficult situations is to make the best of them. Try to find the humor in it. If you look at each event individually, there will be something about it that will make you laugh. It might be as simple as something someone said during the interviewing process, or it could be the actual reason why your candidate decided not to show up on their first day of work. One no start I personally experienced was when one of my MPC’s didn’t go to work her first day because the stars were not aligned. She explained to my client and to me that her “star chart” was never wrong. The funny part about this candidate was that she assured me she would be ready again in three days once her alignment improved. Needless to say, attempting to reason with this individual was a waste of my time. Once I filled the opening, my entire office had fun with the situation.

Barb has quoted the following numerous times, “You can’t change what happens to you, but you CAN change how you react to it!” She’s right – the way you choose to react makes all the difference. If you are in an office where you have a team of recruiters, take it upon yourself to help your co-workers. If someone has just had something bad happen, carefully attempt to find the humor in it. Laughter is contagious. Working in an environment where fun is not only allowed, but actually encouraged, can make all the difference in overall job satisfaction. We are professionals and our career mandates that we conduct ourselves in an appropriate manner with our candidates and clients. My recommendation is that within your company, with your team, try to laugh. Try to have fun as often as possible!

You will be amazed at the difference in how you feel about both the unavoidable bad times and the exciting good times.

Nancy J. Phillips, CPC
Sales Consultant/Coach
V.P. of Sales & Marketing