10 Qualities of a Great Recruiter
10 Qualities of a Great Recruiter: What To Look For and Why It Matters
There is no shortage of recruiters. In the US, it is estimated that 1 in 20 LinkedIn Profiles is a Recruiter (source). Your recruiter determines the effectiveness of your hiring process and the quality of talent you hire.
1. Active listening
Great recruiters listen 80% of the time and talk 20% of the time. You want a recruiter who leads with curiosity, is present and pays attention. Listening aids in building trust and rapport.
2. Asks good questions
Recruiters can’t control candidates, but they can be diligent in their candidate conversations to help dodge common hiring curveballs. You want someone who is thorough and isn’t afraid to ask difficult questions. You should depend on your recruiter to fully prescreen candidates before you meet them.
3. Experience
You want a recruiter who has been there, done that and has strong self-awareness. With experience comes efficiency and expertise. Saving you time, money and the headaches of hiring.
4. Client-centric
Your recruiter should have your best interest in mind and be ready to share insights. A true partner in the hiring process, a great recruiter can make recommendations on who to hire, articulate a candidate’s skills & strengths and advocate for your employer brand.
5. Transparent
A lot of recruiting happens behind the scenes. You want a recruiter who communicates and keeps you informed of the process, what they are finding in the market and informs you of adjustments needed to reach your desired outcome. Great recruiters seek clarity from you and the candidate at every stage of the hiring progress.
6. Prioritizes candidate experience
Responsiveness, flexibility and integrity are paramount with candidate interactions. Find a recruiter who values their reputation and candidate relationships.
7. Thinks like a marketer and behaves like salesperson
They ask you about selling points, company culture and highlight what’s compelling about your job opening. They are creative in their communications and position you to stand out. Similar to a sales pipeline, good recruiters, research, prospect, qualify and close candidates. They know who to spend time on and when to walk away.
8. Diplomatic
Hiring has a host of challenging conversations like negotiations, delivering feedback, and managing expectations. Great recruiters are skilled at mediating, diffusing tense situations and communicating in a sensitive, yet effective way.
9. Data driven
Cost analysis, workforce optimization, and candidate compensation require market knowledge and research. A great recruiter uses data to influence your hiring strategy.
10. Resilient, problem solvers
A great recruiter will go back to the drawing board when you ask, “is there anyone better out there?”. They are solution-oriented and can help you overcome hiring obstacles.
Your recruiter is an extension of your employer brand, and often, the first impression a candidate has of your company. Partner with a recruiter who has these 10 qualities and hire the talent you need to transform your business.