The 10 essential qualities of a (very) good recruiter
Being a recruiter is good, being a good recruiter is even better!
Your objective is to find the ideal employee, the rare pearl, but the world of employment is a merciless competition. As a recruiter, you are the first contact in the entire recruitment process for the candidate, make the difference and make the employee want to be part of the company.
👀 Look no further, we've listed the top of the top qualities of a recruiter for hassle-free internal and external recruitment!
1. Good communicator
The first and essential quality for a recruiter is their ability to communicate well.
The job interview is a moment of exchange with the candidate, not just a pure interrogation (you're not in a Russian prison at the height of the Cold War). Let the conversation flow naturally, take an interest in the person and don't be afraid to improvise - after all, this is a human-to-human exchange.
Communication doesn't stop at the end of the interview either, so continue to keep the candidate informed about the progress of the recruitment process, whether the outcome is positive or not for that matter.
👉 When a candidate isn't hired, don't bury your head in the sand! Inform them of your decision as quickly as possible.
2. Trustworthy
Always bear in mind that the candidate is bound to have other interviews and may also have a choice to make. By creating a relationship of trust with the candidate, you make them want to work with you!
Be transparent about the job, its tasks and the future, and also talk about the company's values and culture, but don't sell the candidate a dream - they're not naïve.
3. Be a good listener
Man has two ears and one mouth, so he listens twice as much as he speaks.
Confucius
We're talking here about listening to the candidate, not just hearing them (nuance). When it comes to recruitment, listening is a twofold process:
- as a recruiter, you need to listen to candidates to understand their needs and motivations;
- on the company side, it's also important to listen to hiring managers and understand what skills and character they're looking for to expand their team.
💡 A little tip: listening is built on three pillars: exclusivity, benevolence and empathy.
4. Curious
Don't judge a book by its cover! Take an interest in the candidate that goes beyond their CV and what they let you see, and ask them questions that no-one has asked them before.
Candidates have a habit of embellishing certain experiences, so don't be afraid to ask for details and probe for areas of uncertainty. The aim, like a seasoned investigator, is to try to find out more about their approach so as to avoid recruitment errors as much as possible and recruit the best talent. 🕵️
💡 A little tip: take a constant interest in the latest recruitment techniques by attending webinars and joining specialist groups on social networks.
5. Seducer
Gone are the days of haughty, inaccessible and cold recruiters. From now on, recruiters must also "sell" the job and highlight the qualities of their company.
These days, candidates aren't just looking for a job, they're looking for an atmosphere, a human adventure, values and so on. You need to appeal to candidates by talking up the company's strong points, such as the activities you plan and the benefits you offer, to make them want to join your company.
6. Organised
Being organised is an essential quality for a recruiter who wants to put in place clear and efficient processes. Organisation improves the flow of information and reduces the number of oversights. The aim is also to constantly improve the candidate experience.
💡 A little tip: use recruitment software that offers to manage and sort your applications from a single tool.
7. Able to adapt
As a recruiter, you're in contact with all the different employees and candidates.
Adaptability is an important quality for a recruiter who is constantly juggling different jobs, different qualifications, different professions, different software, etc. You need to be a real chameleon when it comes to adapting to new situations. You have to be a real chameleon 🦎!
8. Cautious (but not too cautious)
Candidates aren't always honest and sometimes embellish certain facets of their lives a little too much.
Don't be fooled and don't blindly trust everything that is written or told. Don't hesitate to ask questions, and ask them again, to discern the true from the false. Mind you, we're not telling you to be paranoid either... 🤪
💡 A little tip: if you have any doubts about any professional experience, don't hesitate to do a reference check (university, former employers) after the interview.
9. Good networker
58% of recruiters use their own network to find candidates.
Apec
As a recruiter, there are several ways of networking: both in real life (trade fairs, events, etc.) and on social networks.
A good recruiter must therefore be an expert in social networking in order to succeed in e-recruitment.
He or she is also a networking expert; as a headhunter, it's best to have an exceptional memory for remembering the people you meet, and who could be the ideal candidate for the job at any given time.
👉 Don't rest on your laurels 🌿, a network needs to be constantly fed, whether it's your real or virtual social networks.
10. Persevere
82% of companies say they are finding it difficult to recruit for certain positions.
Regionjob
Recruiting talent is no easy task. Between cancellations, competitors and ghosting, recruitment can sometimes be long and complex. Don't stop at the first hurdle - it's worth the effort. 🕯️
And that's (already) the end of the top 10 qualities that make a good recruiter!
What qualities make you a good recruiter?
Article translated from French