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: