There are many reasons why one may consider having a talent acquisition specialist on the team. Whether it is for a small startup looking to expand, a company looking for immigration labor advertising, or a large firm looking for a specific talent, a recruiter can help guide the hiring process and match a company with the best workers. But how does a small business owner know that they are hiring the best HR hiring manager or recruiter? Read below as we unpack the qualities to look for in a great recruiter.
- They give you the most for your billed time. It’s so easy to inflate the length of the day and how long it takes to get tasks done when a recruiter is constantly bombarded with endless emails, messages from LinkedIn, a notification from Twitter, a SMS going off from their phone, and so on. A good hiring firm or recruiter knows how to balance the day to get the core work done with priority. When a business owner looks at the bill they receive at the end of the month, they will be able to see just how well the time was spent versus results.
A good recruiter keeps in touch. We all have the means to screen calls. It’s so easy to press ignore when someone you’d rather not deal with pops up. It’s so easy to press skip on a voicemail for something you’d rather not do. A good recruiter tackles the tough calls heads on, always picks up the phone, and actions the call as soon as possible. If they happen to miss your call for a good reason, they will always call you back promptly to follow up. - A good talent acquisition specialist is always hungry. They are always in the mode to find new talent and find new employers in need of new clients. Whether they spearhead this search through social media, immigration ads, or even cold calls, a good recruiter’s circle never stops growing, even as business needs may change or evolve.
- They stay current on best practices and trends. To attract the top talent and the most reliable workforce, a recruiter has to be the best at their game. It is a good sign when a firm is dedicated to keeping up to date with the best hiring practices, laws, and trends, in talent acquisition. That being said, even as trends come and go, a core skill of a good firm is the hands-on touch that really fosters a relationship and builds rapport with the potential employees.
- Seek out a recruiter or recruiting firm with stellar reviews. Image and reputation are so important in this industry, as this person will become a representative of the company they are hiring for. Their behavior, what they say, how they act, how well they do their job, all these factors will contribute to the perception of your business. A small business would be savvy to hire a recruiter that knows how to make tough choices that reflect on a business in a positive way.
- A good hiring firm has a keen ear for the details. When working with a business, they will be able to actively listen to what an employer needs in their talent search, and be able to pick out the relevant details and really focus the search based on the needs of the business. A good recruiter will apply this same skill when looking for your employees and talent. They will be able to have a strong sense of who would be a great fit, and they do this by using good listening skills. A recruiter must ask candidates the right questions to ensure proper candidacy and to ensure that the business’ needs are clearly represented in discussion with potential employees. If the potential worker isn’t a match, the recruiter needs to be able to communicate this to the applicant clearly and without ambiguity.
- Recruiting isn’t a career for the shy and for the timid. A good recruiter or recruiting firm needs to have a minimal amount of fear and hesitation naturally. A recruiter is constantly cold calling, being relentless in their searches, and routinely has to make tough decisions and communicate them to a candidate. They don’t mince words and are not afraid to put themselves out there. A good recruiter makes that call, networks like a pro, and is, in general, a proactive person. They will broadcast calls to action on their social media, immigration advertising, and consistent job postings in an attempt to reach all the best workers to hire for a company. However, this boldness does not mean they are careless in their communications. A good recruiter is also discerning in the ways they reach out and interact.
- A good recruiter always appreciates and respects the time and interest of the potential workforce. They schedule follow-ups if not enough time is available for a discussion, and they follow through with their word. A good recruiting firm is organized and methodical in the way they sift through candidates, which have to be actively managed through many stages from attracting talent, qualifying them, and eventually hiring them. They need to be able to prioritize the tasks with the ultimate goal of creating the best outcomes for your business needs. More organizational skills mean more success for a business.
- A good recruiter is a people person! By the nature of the job, they will be dealing with all sorts of people, from all backgrounds, from many countries, and from all levels of education and skill. They must be able to shift their skills and personality to make a connection with the people they are interviewing and assessing. It is a good trait for a recruiter to be a glass-half-full sort of person, that never gives up and has a sense of determination. The best recruiters do not become complacent after finding a business 1 or 2 quality hires. They want to build an entire workforce.
If one keeps these tips in mind when seeking out a talent recruitment firm, they can be quite confident that they are choosing a professional that will become a great representative of their company and provide a wealth of talent acquisitions.
