When you’re doing a job day in day out, it’s easy to fall into habits. However, in an ever evolving industry such as recruitment, old habits could lead to you missing out on the best talent.
As new technology is introduced, employer needs change and job expectations differ between generations, it is important that recruiters adapt with the industry and get in tune with what both employers and candidates are looking for.
For a recruiter to put them self in the best position for nabbing the top candidates, here are a few habits they need to break.
1) Not keeping up with technology
New technology and social networks open doors to so many new ways to source and attract talent, however many recruiters limit themselves to LinkedIn because that’s what they know. By failing to adjust to changes in technology and making use of new tools, recruiters may miss out on great candidates, particularly millennials, who tend to be early adopters of new tech.
In order to stay on the ball, recruiters must be tech savvy!
2) Not familiarising themselves with the industry
If you don’t understand the industry or the role that you are hiring for, then you will probably find it difficult to identify the most suitable candidate, as you won’t know what to look for.
Before beginning your work on a job, it is important that as the recruiter, you have had a thorough conversation with the hiring manager and have done the necessary research in order to accurately grasp the requirements and responsibilities of the role.
3) Generic job ads
By posting vague job descriptions that fail to go into the details of the role, then you should be ready to sift through a mountain of resumes from people who are completely unqualified for the job.
Be specific about what kind of individual you are looking for and what the role entails, so people can make a more informed decision about their suitability for the role before applying. Posting the name of the company the job is also makes a big difference, as people are much more focused on company culture and reputation these days, than the job alone.
4) Poor communication
Poor communication is one of the biggest offences you can make as a recruiter. The clients and the candidates expect to receive the relevant information throughout the hiring process, so if they fail to do so they are likely the become impatient and maybe even pull out.
In order for everything to run smoothly it is essential that the recruiter is open and honest and keeps both parties updated throughout each stage.
5) Not picking up the phone
Recruiters rely so heavily on the internet and technology these days that they often neglect the phone. Although social media is a great tool for sourcing candidates and the efficiency of emailing is undeniable, picking up the phone from time to time is much more effective for establishing a rapport with your candidates and clients. It can also help to speed things up significantly, as people have a tendency to put off replying to emails and a phone call can provide you with immediate answers, granted the other person picks up!
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