Recruitment is not a process
I was asked in an interview once (I was the candidate): Why recruitment? What do you love about it?
Put simply: It’s the human part of business.
I’m an extrovert who loves meeting and connecting with people.
I’m interested in business and organisations as a vehicle for change and progress.
I’m fascinated by what small groups of connected humans can achieve together.
I’m curious and ask a lot of questions.
I love uncovering and telling stories.
I believe recruitment is part consulting, part marketing, part storytelling and sometimes, part counselling. The conversations and relationships we have are a privilege.
It’s unfortunate that recruitment is often seen as a burdensome process.
Don’t get me wrong. I love a good process. But recruitment is much more than that.
Recruitment is an opportunity.
An opportunity to transform and upgrade your team by hiring the right people.
An opportunity to get a step closer to meeting your mission.
Not a process or a transaction. The start of a professional relationship.
Every conversation with a potential employee must start with understanding motivations and individual expectations.
Employers don’t ‘acquire’ talent. Recruitment is marketing.
This brings me to one of the most important lessons I’ve learned from nearly two decades working in talent:
People are NOT the product. The product is the job you’re trying to sell.
Which means the consumer is the talent you’re trying to attract.
Another important lesson I’ve learned is this:
It doesn’t matter what the market is doing. Ultimately, the consumer decides.
(whether to accept your job offer, or not).
Check out some of the other lessons I’ve learned here:
Flexible talent support for NFP leaders
I am deeply committed to making recruitment easier for nonprofit leaders.
I support leaders and organisations to attract the right people through:
traditional recruitment solutions
flexible unbundled recruitment support
helping you review and improve your recruitment approach
helping you understand and articulate your real EVP through employee research
leveraging this research to develop authentic recruitment content
building campaigns that reflect culture and the employee experience
consulting and advisory work to develop talent attraction strategy and capacity.
If you’re curious to know more, send me a message or get in touch for a chat.
As a communications professional and writer turned recruiter, I know modern recruitment is marketing, and I'm on a mission to share this approach with the sector.
Each Friday, I share talent attraction advice and insights. The Nonprofit Talent Edge will help you become more intentional, creative and proactive with your recruitment.
Have a great week.
Cynthia