…a whole new set of recruitment genetic rules to function by …or die?
Be on the lookout for people who take delight in thinking in a new way, like to tackle a challenge with a different mindset, understand the new essence of partnership and can think more broadly in a proactive way.
These highly desirable skills plus know-how are the pathway to the future. To stay still is to enter the race to the bottom.
Having been in the recruitment industry for some 23 years [and still loving every minute of it] I’ve been pondering the new DNA a smart recruiting operator needs to evolve in order to survive today’s new social order and economic conditions.
A perfect example is the upcoming Tru NZ Un Conference 2010 with its emphasis on a new style of communication. It’s clear that recruiters stuck playing the traditional rules of engagement now have a choice to make; either get with the ‘new programme’ or ‘race to the bottom’ … to quote that maverick-thinking marketer Seth Godin.
Why?
Because not only are we in turbulent economic times, we also face many, many ways and means to communicate to our world ‘socially’. In a business/recruitment context, the question that has to be answered is:
What’s the very essence or ‘DNA’ our industry has to evolve into to survive and thrive in 2010 and beyond?
Just a few years ago I decided that upping my communications expertise was a must. I set out to find an individual who had an HR background AS WELL AS a Communications background or education. This was not as easy as it sounds – but I can report ‘mission accomplished!’ And may I say, my hunch thus far is paying off.
My HR-Communicator has been instrumental in driving change to the very essence of how my recruitment team now communicates; to such a degree that we have turned the way we communicate to both clients and candidates on its head from just a few years ago – both in methodology and channels.
So what?
It’s simple – the tired old recruiting ‘chain of events’: screen, interview, put body in job – is about to be relegated to the B List. If all you do is slap an advert on the web and react to vacancies you’re in the danger zone. Yes, recruitment process precision is needed but this is not where the ‘gold nugget’ action is.
Rather, what‘s needed is a deeper realisation that we are communicating in such vastly different ways that it’s now all about proactivity and not reactivity.
Be curious and inquisitive and get out of your comfort zone – fast.
Original thinkers are rare and valuable.
People who care, are passionate and shine when faced with provocative and stimulating conversation are the change makers. These individuals have a knack for finding new solutions, new connections, new ways.
Can we delay or wait? In my opinion – no.
The time to act is now, to elevate expectations and hunt out people who have this new recruitment DNA.
