By: Michael Liuzza

While everyone has an opinion on what makes a good salesperson, accountant or manager; today we answer the question of makes for a good recruiter. Here is an outline of what successful recruiters do.

1. They track metrics. Some self impose their own metrics and others fall into an agreed upon process (phone calls, contacts, candidates in the door through interviews with the hiring manager etc.). It does not matter what the metrics are, as long as they are aware and committed to meeting or exceeding the goals established. Recruiting metrics that are accessible understandable and used appropriately can provide insight into the ROI of either the full-time or contract recruiter.

2. They Adapt to Technology: Technology continues to rapidly change how we mange our lives and for candidates, that means using more mobile technology platforms for the job hunting experience. Today that is adapting to mobile recruiting as more and more technologies are moving to the smartphone platform.
3. POTS “Plain Old Telephone Systems”: The acronym from the age of the ring-down phones and from the large telecoms that supported them still has meaning today. With these technology platforms, recruiters still have to connect with candidates on the phone. Recruiters that “pick up the phone,” typically are the recruiters that know how to “make it happen.”
Speed to Market: The effective recruiter works quickly and efficiently, recognizing the candidate’s time on the market may be short given current market conditions. They balance this efficiency with quality. Presenting a hot candidate means nothing if someone else has gotten to them with a competing offer.
4. Relationships Matter: An effective recruiter needs to be a relationship builder and manager. This can not happened without good communication skills. Not just e-mailing and texting – getting up from the desk and walking down to meet them.
5. Follow Up Skills: The effective recruiter returns calls and messages each day. They remember to close out candidates and how to keep good candidates engaged through the process.

We value candidates that understand and respect and follow a process. If you would like to learn more about our contract, contract-to-direct or direct-placement recruiter candidates, or to discover more about our full line of staffing programs, call me, e-mail or connect with us on  Linked In or Twitter.