Recruiting Strategy

While the methods of recruiting have changed somewhat with the times, the critical challenges that most recruiters face have not. We still struggle to find enough time to get everything that needs to get done finished; we still deal with misperceptions by others regarding what it is we actually do; …

My last article on outrageous recruiting approaches gathered several new ideas and a great number of comments. The comments came from three basic categories of recruiters: Executive recruiters. Executive recruiters thought that the whole “outrageous recruiting” argument was comical and that the tools proposed were relatively mundane.  Advanced corporate recruiters. Advanced corporate recruiters were …

Almost everyone supports diversity recruiting efforts. They are taken as “givens” in most corporate HR departments. But these efforts might actually gain even more resources and respect if recruiters went the extra mile to prove their business impact through the use of metrics. What metrics should you use? I recommend …

Take a step back and ask yourself this question: Who is the most powerful and well-known person with the most contacts and resources in your company? The answer of course is your CEO. Now ask yourself, what have I done to make the most powerful and well-known person in the …

Let’s face it, recruiters are a conservative lot. When it comes to selecting tools and strategies, they rely primarily on the tried-and-true conservative approach. During my many conversations with companies, salespeople, and especially executive recruiters, I have found that there are many exceptional recruiting and selling practices that are currently …

The best recruiting tools are often the ones that most recruiters don’t use. Why? Because overused recruiting tools generally do not have much of an impact when you are recruiting the prized, currently employed top performers. These so-called passive candidates are smart and aware. Trying to get through to them …

In a highly competitive world dominated by CFOs who want to cut your budget, it is no longer optional to demonstrate your value. Everyone is accountable! If you are in a situation where “charm” has run out as an option, then it’s probably time to consider switching to metrics in …

Firms that are located in less-than-glamorous locations still need to attract top talent. What is required is a recruiting plan with four elements: Find those with an established family or school connection to the area. Use reverse marketing to find people who like the features in your region. Become a …

Not every firm can offer the glamour of a Cisco, HP, or G.E., nor can most firms be lucky enough to be located in great geographic areas like the Silicon Valley. But firms that are located in less-than-glamorous locations still need to attract top talent. Small-sized firms, as well as …

I continually get complaints from managers in “bad weather” areas in the northern U.S. and Canada who claim that it is impossible to recruit top talent because these regions just don’t have the drawing power of other areas. I find it startling that such beautiful cities as Minneapolis, Seattle and …