The greatest challenge recruiters are facing today is finding the top talent their clients want to hire. The market is changing to a candidate-driven market, and talent will continue to be more difficult to attract.
It’s as simple as this: the recruiter with the candidate wins!
You need to recruit for top talent every day. How do recruiters find candidates, and do it consistently? Below are three ways to source more candidates in this market:
#1—Set aside time each day for indirect recruiting calls.
Our clients prefer to hire individuals who are currently working with a stable, successful track record. These candidates are not on the job boards or answering classified ads. You cannot keep depending on the same candidates in your database—or only job board candidates—to satisfy the needs of your clients.
#2—Generate referrals during your recruiting presentations.
Have a blind sampling list of all of the current job orders in your office. With every recruiting presentation, ask for the candidate’s home email address so you can send them this list. Include the sizzle of each company and opportunity.
Don’t list the salary range—that limits referrals (state that the salary is very competitive)—and then list minimum skills needed. After you email the initial list, send them an article of interest and an updated list monthly. You will be amazed at the candidate referrals you will receive.
#3—Generate referrals from your current candidate database.
You need to keep your name in front of these individuals on a monthly basis by sending a sampling of current available positions. Go through your application forms from the past 12 to 18 months and contact the supervisors listed. Many of these individuals can be converted into candidates or sources for additional talent.
Also, share testimonial letters you’ve received from other candidates whenever possible. People buy on the approval of others, and testimonial letters are the most powerful method you can use to attract new talent.
You should never stop trying to source more candidates, because remember . . . it’s the recruiter with the candidate who wins!
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Barb Bruno, CPC/CTS is a guest writer for the Top Echelon Recruiter Training Blog, and you can hire her for your next conference or event or for in-house training. Barb’s training techniques have guided thousands of recruiters to a higher level of sales and profits. She is best known for her methodical, easy-to-implement strategies that she shares with her audiences. Her enthusiasm is contagious! If you would like to hire Barb, please call 219.663.9609, email support@staffingandrecruiting.com, or visit Good as Gold Training online.