Recruiters do work that, in many ways, resembles the job of a marketer. They must present a favorable picture of their firm to attract the interest of a particular type of candidate, much in the same way that a product message must be crafted to reach a target market.
As a result of these similar objectives, successful marketers and recruiters should also have similar habits and skills. If you want to excel in your recruiting role, learn the following six ways that enable you to think and act like a marketer.
FOCUS ON JOBSEEKERS
Marketers must constantly identify their ideal customer persona, find relevant prospects and then reach them with an effective message that inspires them to buy. Reaching the wrong audience or sending the wrong message will result in wasted time, money and effort, and fail to achieve a positive result. Recruiters must maintain a similar focus on job seekers.
As a recruiter, you must have the ability to define your ideal candidate for every open position and then learn all about that candidate’s location, needs, values, and desires. Based on that ideal persona, you can formulate a plan to reach that type of candidate with a message that will resonate and attract a steady stream of top talent.
BE PROFESSIONAL
Professionalism defines a broad range of behavior in the business world that is necessary to maintain productive and profitable relationships. Marketers always behave in ways that reflect well on their firm. As a recruiter, you should do the same.
Recruiters must make a great first impression on every possible recruit and then maintain clear communication channels that build trust and goodwill. Why not follow in marketer’s footsteps and attract more candidates through social media? Why not go a step further and communicate with them through Facebook, Twitter, and the likes? Every time you communicate is a good time to convey your professionalism.
As you engage recruits, allow respect and the rules of etiquette to guide your conduct. You should, for example, always arrive at appointments on time and dress in a way that reflects well on your firm. In written communication, pay attention to your tone and grammar as they say a lot about you and your firm.
SHOW YOUR HUMAN SIDE
Just as marketers need to communicate the humanity of their brand, recruiters must put their humanity on display as well. As you interact with prospective recruits, be professional, but avoid a robotic attitude. Instead, communicate on a personal level with every candidate and be friendly. When prospects feel as though they can approach you, you will improve your chance for success.
So, make sure to display a positive attitude and treat everyone with respect. Even if you feel angry, frustrated or tired – and there will surely be such days – try not to show it. Successful people cultivate respect and dignity – others reciprocate.
NEVER STOP LEARNING
Marketing professionals must constantly learn to stay proficient in their work. Such a requirement means staying abreast of industry, market, business, economic and world trends. Recruiters must make a similar commitment to learning.
Mahatma Gandi was a strong proponent of lifelong learning as reflected by his famous quote that encourages everyone to learn as though they will never die. As a recruiter, you should make sure you make the most of your life, but you must also keep learning to avoid stagnation.
You must have a thorough knowledge of your company and its business, so you can sell your firm in ways that attract the best available talent. Make sure to always keep that in mind.
REMAIN OPEN-MINDED
The world is constantly changing, so marketers must always have an open mind while finding ways to connect their brand with their target market. Recruiters also work in an evolving world where the needs and expectations of job candidate are constantly changing.
Remember that we live in a diverse society and people that look and act in unfamiliar ways can still become a valuable part of your organization. Your open-mindedness, however, shouldn’t stop with recruits.
Keep your life and career healthy and fresh by trying new experiences and activities. You should occasionally try new and unusual ways to solve problems. Encourage yourself to exercise creativity and always engage in new technologies that can make positive influence on your job and your personal life.
CULTIVATE PERSEVERANCE
Marketers have a tough job. They face pressure from executives and managers to attract new business to their firm. Similarly, recruiters feel pressured to find and hire ideal candidates for job openings. As a matter of course, marketers and recruiters alike occasionally fail.
When you hire an employee that doesn’t work out, or you fail to close the deal on an exceptional prospect, you might feel like giving up, especially if you’ve had several consecutive negative experiences. But you must persevere.
Compete with yourself, rather than your peers, and allow yourself to learn from your mistakes and failures. Set realistic goals for yourself, stay organized and maintain priorities for yourself, your career and your firm. Regardless of your recent failures or successes, you have a bright future ahead of you.
CONCLUSION
Did you notice that the first three ways to act and think like a marketer involved how you relate to other people? How about the fact that the final three ways involved how you relate to yourself? There is something to think about. Just like a marketer, your success as a recruiter depends on developing the best possible personal and professional skills.
BIO:
Natalie Smith is a freelance copywriter from Seattle who writes about topics related to marketing, customer service, social media, entrepreneurship, and business in general. You can reach her @Natalie Smith.
