What's In It for Me? (Recruiter Read)

As a recruiter, you’re essentially working in a sales profession. That means your days often have moments of rejection and disappointment. Plus, you’re constantly pulled in different directions and facing competing top priorities. 

A few days back, I was also in a channel of disappointments, disagreements, rejections, and whatnot. Most importantly I was not motivated to be in the space I am. Beat that.. after spending 10 years as a recruiter myself.

Sometimes, staying motivated can feel challenging But, it’s important to realize that every “no” is just one step closer to your next “yes.” In fact, if you're not hearing the word no on a consistent basis, you're not talking to enough new people each day.

This is something I should always keep in mind if you're feeling discouraged, feel free to use the below tactics to help keep yourself motivated every day in order to meet your recruiting goals.

1. Post your top 10 non-negotiable goals on your desk

Take a moment to write down ten specific non-negotiable goals with action items below each goal and put it somewhere you'll see it daily. These are not only the work goals, they include personal, career, spiritual, health, and philanthropic ones as well.

When you’re constantly reminded of what you're trying to achieve in all facets of your life, you’ll feel more motivated to be successful in your career on a daily basis.

2. Make learning a priority 

I believe that every master was once a disaster. Ok, disaster might be harsh – but none of them started out masters. They had to practice and learn. 

Just think about some of the best leaders or athletes. For example, Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team because they didn’t feel he was good enough.

My point is - you need to continually improve your base of knowledge and give yourself the opportunity to learn. The difference between an average and exceptional recruiter is knowledge and the implementation of new techniques. And, it’s this success that will drive you to grow in your career.

3. Identify your top talents

Think about your day-to-day as a recruiter and figure out the 20% of what you’re doing that provides you with 80% of your production. Now, focus more time on the 20%.

Cutting out tasks that are less impactful and focusing more time on your results-oriented activities that truly pay off will keep your energy up (and maybe give you back some time). Remember- Time Management is the key!

4. Never make WWD (What We Do) presentations(Most Important)

When you're contacting prospective candidates, focus on the WIIFM (What’s In It For Me) of the person you're trying to recruit. WWD (What We Do) messaging doesn't work, unless the person understands how it benefits them.

When a candidate rejects your services, it’s often because they don’t realize what you could do for them. Ask every single candidate what they want in their career and tailor your conversation to their needs in order to have more success.

5. Understand.. your attitude is everything

You may have heard this before, but it’s true: Your success depends 10% on what happens to you and 90% on how you react. So, if you’re in a difficult situation, always take a moment and think about how you want to react before you do. Your attitude will change the course of your day, week, and ultimately your career.

Implementing any of these techniques can help you stay motivated every day. And, that drive is absolutely essential for your success.

Remember - it's not the job of your manager or co-workers to motivate you.

It has to be an inner drive that propels you to consistently hit your goals.