However, that’s not to say it doesn’t come with its own struggles and difficulties, just like any other job. Of course, it does, and it’s learning to navigate those challenges that will help you excel in this industry.
Here’s a few things that you should be aware of before you think you’ve got the courage to step up to the job.
It’s the hardest sell
People selling people is one of the hardest sales jobs. If you’re selling a box of Hershey’s chocolate, at no point will that box turn around and tell you it doesn’t want to be sold. Yet, people will do this to you all the time in recruitment, as well as change their minds at the very last minute.
Be resilient
If you’re easily discouraged by difficult things or setbacks, recruitment isn’t for you. If you like a challenge, then you’re in the right spot. Clients will change the job requirements, candidates will pull out of the process, hiring managers change their minds, and people get fired a week after you’ve hired them and you must start the whole process all over again. It takes grit, guts, and a lot of resilience.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Recruitment takes grit, guts, and a lot of resilience.” quote=”Recruitment takes grit, guts, and a lot of resilience.”]
Telephobia is real
If you have a couple of bad phone calls in a row, you’ll never want to pick up your phone ever again. You’ll even consider throwing it out the window, and when it rings, you shy away from it in panic and fear. Honestly, we’ve seen it happen, and many a good recruiter have succumbed to a bout of telephobia.
You can never rely on people
It sounds crazy in an industry that is all about people, but what you will learn from this is that people will disappoint you at some point. Even that one candidate that you thought was an absolute A-star player who would definitely take the job, will turn around and tell you they’ve decided to stay in their current position. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and always have multiple players in the game.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and always have multiple players in the game.” quote=”Don’t put all your eggs in one basket and always have multiple players in the game.”]
Emotional work
Because you’re dealing with people and their lives, it comes with a lot of emotional baggage. Sometimes, you’ll have to reject candidates who you were really rooting for, and it will always suck. No matter what anyone says, it doesn’t get any better, it always feels depressing, and sometimes, it makes you sad.
Never kid yourself
Being a recruiter means being stone cold truthful with yourself, at all times. If you think a candidate isn’t right for the job, don’t string them along. Trust your instincts; they’re probably right. Don’t overpromise things to clients; it will always end in tears. And always be honest with your candidates about what you can actually do for them.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Being a recruiter means being stone cold truthful with yourself, at all times.” quote=”Being a recruiter means being stone cold truthful with yourself, at all times.”]
Recruitment can be extremely frustrating, and the above list might have your feet itching to run. But you have to remember that companies need good people to succeed above all other things, and you’re the person who finds those good people. Meaning you’re the person who determines the success of companies from startups to Fortune 500 corporations—just think about that.