Recruitment can get a bad rep, but it also has many redeeming qualities that keep someone there. You work with so many exciting organizations to find amazing talent and would also be helping people to find jobs — so why would you ever get a bad rep, since you’re doing an amazing work! You will have many memorable stories involving people who have been struggling with their job search, or companies that desperately need someone quickly. That’s where you guys come in.
Of course, there is always room for improvement
How can you ensure that you get the right candidates answering you? You need to be persistent. You need to push back. But there’s a fine line between being tough in defense of what’s right and being too harsh, which is something you’d struggle with constantly. Finding the line between helpful and pushy is the key to success; you need to know when to push candidates to take risks and when to back down. In order to do this, you need to truly know your candidates — and your clients.
You will sometime find it difficult to be persistent with people and will find a way to get over that feeling, but still question, how many times are you allowed to reach out to someone? Some ways that you could overcome these concerns are by doing extensive research on each person’s background to ensure you’re bringing something valuable to the table. You should also realize that in those 10 + calls a day from different recruiters, you have done the best job finding something relevant and appealing to them. You have taken the time to research their backgrounds, interests, and projects they have done. In the end, they appreciate your call (even if they are not looking!) and that’s how you build a relationship. While it’s not an easy job, it is rewarding. As said, why would you ever get a bad rep, you’re doing amazing work!
So how many times IS too many to follow up? If you can connect with someone, being persistent is easy. You consistently follow up with people 4–5 times, in an effort to make that connection. Persistence, not pushy. There is a fine, but very important, line between the two.
Being in recruitment, being persistent, following up, and pushing back is a vital part of being a good salesperson — as long as you’re doing it in the right way.
