The 10 essential qualities of a (very) good recruiter
Being a recruiter is good, being a good recruiter is 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 list 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 his or her 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 update the candidate on the progress of the recruitment process, whether the outcome is positive or not.
👉 When a candidate isn't hired, don't bury your head in the sand! Inform them of your decision as soon as possible.
2. Trustworthy
Always bear in mind that the candidate is likely to have other interviews, and that he or she may also have a choice to make. By creating a relationship of trust with the candidate, you'll make them want to work with you!
Be transparent about the position, its missions and the future, and also talk about the company's values and culture, but don't sell the candidate on dreams - 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 him (nuance). Listening is, in the case of recruitment, on two levels:
- 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 his CV and what he lets you see, and ask questions that no one has asked before.
Candidates have a habit of embellishing certain experiences, so don't be afraid to ask for details and probe for grey areas. The aim, like a seasoned investigator, is to try and find out more about their approach, so as to avoid recruitment errors as much as possible and recruit the best talent. 🕵️
💡 A little tip: keep up to date with the latest recruitment techniques by attending webinars and joining specialized groups on social networks.
5. Seducer
Gone are the days of haughty, inaccessible and cold recruiters. Now, recruiters must also "sell" the position 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 have to seduce the candidate by talking about the company's strong points, such as the activities you're planning and the benefits you offer, to make the person want to join your company.
6. Organized
Being organized is an essential quality for a recruiter keen to set up clear and efficient processes. Organization improves the flow of information and reduces oversights. The aim is also to constantly improve the candidate experience.
💡 A little tip: use recruitment software that offers you the opportunity to manage and sort your applications from a single tool.
7. Able to adapt
As a recruiter, you're in contact with all employees and candidates, all different from each other.
Adaptability is an important quality for a recruiter who is constantly juggling different jobs, different qualifications, different professions, different software, and so on. You need 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 into blindly trusting everything that's written or told. Don't hesitate to ask and ask again, to find out what's true and what's not. Mind you, we're not telling you to be paranoid either... 🤪
💡 A little tip: if you're in any doubt about 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 networks to find candidates.
Apec
As a recruiter, there are many ways to network: both in real life (trade shows, events, etc.) and on social networks.
A good recruiter must therefore be an expert in social networks in order to succeed in e-recruitment.
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 have difficulty hiring 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. 🕯️
Well, we've (already) come to the end of the top 10 qualities of a good recruiter!
What qualities make you a good recruiter?
Article translated from French