Whether one is recruiting loan officers, computer
programmers, engineers, or CEOs, sound, simple strategies always produce
desirable results. Warren Buffett has become an investment icon by using what he
calls a value investing strategy. Specifically he advises followers to focus on what an investment will produce.
This is wise advice for recruiters as well.
Great recruiters know their success lies in the quality of
their conversations with candidates and hiring managers. The best recruiters
follow a proven strategy to match ideal workers to their client’s requirements for a position. To
maximize the company’s potential candidates must be a technical and cultural fit. Recruiters invest in their thought process and
skill sets to achieve their production goals.
Focus on what a candidate will produce.
Just like Warren, when we listen carefully to our client’s
needs we can dismiss the less productive and culturally incompatible
candidates. When we understand the big picture of what a company client wants
to accomplish, we can better qualify those candidates who are an ideal
match.
Luckily, people are not machines.
As recruiters we must interview carefully. Productive
thinkers may not be obvious. A productive person employs a combination of
intellect, skill, pride in their work, ambition, self-motivation, and ability
to communicate ideas. Sometimes a very productive person may need a good coach
in the form of management, to produce their best work. It helps if the
candidate genuinely loves the work she’s chosen.
A predictive benchmark of one’s ability to produce is past
performance.
We often embrace the work ethic of our upbringing. Being
from the Chicago area I can joke about the mid-western work ethic with others
from the region. We get up and work everyday until we die. It’s ingrained no
matter what level of success is achieved. We work at our education, hobbies, on
our homes, and we help others. Of course many cultures and areas have similar
philosophies so ingrained they seem natural.
Productive people have this:
Productive people believe they will produce. They almost
cannot produce because the drive is so strong. Some people need training, and
wise companies provide instruction. Some gain confidence by doing so it’s
important to have standards and pinpoint areas to improve. We all have the
potential to become experts. At the core of recruiting is identifying those who
possess the internal conviction that they are productive beings. Productive people have tenacity to stick to a project until it's done well.
When recruiting trainees look for signals and proof of prior
accomplishments that point to the caliber of person being hired. Productive
people won’t be slotted into a wasteland position. Make sure your company is
equipped with vision, purpose, and opportunities for advancement if you want to
retain the most productive workers.
By following Warren Buffett’s advice to focus on what an
investment will produce, a recruiter will do well. New hires are the most
important investment for a company. Refine your recruiting process to
incorporate strategies that lead to high quality hires and watch your dividends
grow.
Kimberly Schenk, Executive Recruiter, Trainer, Author of Top Recruiter Secrets, In-House Recruiting: How To Recruit Anyone!, I Communicate, and Cold Call Therapy
