I recently had the opportunity to attend the RCSA (Recruitment and Consulting Services Association) Next Gen Recruiters Meet Up event. Focusing on “Building Consultative Partnerships with Hiring Managers”, the event was designed for consultants in their first five years of recruitment, as well as more senior consultants, offering valuable insights from an impressive panel: Joanna Thornton, Edan Haddock and Erin Devlin.
Erin made a clever comparison between professional athletes and recruitment consultants, highlighting a shared emphasis on key moments. Having grown up playing competitive sport, her analogy really resonated with me. Just as athletes spend years training for those critical seconds that define their performance, recruiters must also identify and invest in the moments that matter most, whether it’s for a hiring organisation, a candidate’s next role, or in their own careers.
As Erin pointed out, delivering great service requires time, space, and focus on the interactions that truly count. For recruiters, long-term success for all parties involved hinges on more than just filling roles; it’s about building lasting, consultative partnerships with both clients and candidates.
Here are some key tips and takeaways I gained from the panel:
- Build Strong Relationships: The best connections happen when you take the time to truly get to know the individual and build genuine rapport. As Edan put it from an external perspective, “We work with the human; we don’t work with the recruiter.”
- Effective Communication: Being transparent, honest, and consistent in communication builds trust. Those are some of our core values at Slade Group. Always provide solutions, ask questions, and be curious enough to challenge both your clients and candidates. Educate them about the market, offering insight they may not have considered.
- Know Your Product: To provide the best service, you must have a deep understanding of the recruitment business and what you and your company can offer – its strengths, service offerings, value adds and the market it operates in.
- Leverage Networking: Attending industry events and seminars can expand your expertise and provide valuable conversation starters for future interactions. Networking not only builds relationships, but also keeps you informed about industry trends.
- Understand Your Customers’ Needs: To be the best advocate, you must know your client’s hiring processes, culture, company history and strategic plans, not just their immediate needs. Similarly, it’s important to understand a candidate’s professional history, career goals, and work style preferences. Always ask both what they want (and need) to ensure you get the best outcome.
Just as an athlete refines their craft to perform at their best in key moments, recruitment professionals must sharpen their skills and focus on the interactions and relationships that will drive their long-term success.
I look forward to attending more RCSA Next Gen events in the future and meeting other like-minded consultants, as I continue to grow and develop my recruitment brand.
Carla Hewitt, Office Coordinator
Carla is an experienced Office Coordinator with a demonstrated history of working in dynamic and fast-paced environments. She currently plays a key role in the daily operations of Slade Group, overseeing administrative functions, managing the CRM system, and supporting overall business efficiency. Passionate about working with people, optimising systems and supporting organizational growth, Carla brings strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills to her current role. Read more…