10 Lessons From 28 Years of Recruiting

1. Neutrality is Key As a recruiter; you serve as the bridge between candidates and clients. The most effective recruiters maintain a balance, ensuring that neither party feels neglected. While clients might pay your wages, candidates are essential for fulfilling your role. Staying neutral helps you act in the best interests of both.

2. Java and JavaScript are Not the Same 😊 This one might seem obvious, but it’s a reminder of the importance of understanding the details. While they sound similar, Java and JavaScript are distinct programming languages with different applications. Knowing the nuances of your field is crucial.

3. Surround Yourself with Like-minded People Working with colleagues you respect and enjoy can significantly enhance your professional experience. Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to collaborate with exceptional leaders and coworkers, making the recruiting journey much more enjoyable.

4. Honesty in Feedback Providing honest feedback to candidates is essential for their growth and career development. While it might be challenging to deliver negative or what I might call “constructive feedback”, it ultimately benefits candidates by helping them improve and succeed in their job searches.

5. Effective Resume Formats In my opinion, the best resumes are in Word format, arranged chronologically with detailed descriptions of recent roles. Avoid fancy designs, tables, and especially pictures. Simplicity and clarity make a resume stand out.

6. Consultant Referrals are Gold Top performers often know other top performers. At Intuitive, we have a referral bonus program that rewards consultants and tech community members who refer candidates we successfully place. These referrals are given high priority when new client requirements arise.

7. Reward in Helping Others Assisting job seekers with networking, resume feedback, and interview preparation is incredibly rewarding. Seeing someone succeed thanks to your guidance is one of the best parts of the job.

8. Avoid the Hard Sell Pressuring candidates into roles they aren’t genuinely interested in often leads to declined job offers and high turnover. It’s better to match candidates with roles they are excited about, ensuring a better fit and higher satisfaction.

9. Sense of Humor is a Must In a world of project cancellations, lost budgets, and lengthy interview processes, a sense of humor can help you stay sane. Keeping things light-hearted can ease the stress and make the journey more enjoyable.

10. Be Polite and Respectful Simple manners like “please” and “thank you” still go a long way. Politeness and respect can make a significant difference in building and maintaining professional relationships.

These lessons I’ve learned over the years offer valuable insights for anyone involved in recruiting or working with a recruiter.  Balancing neutrality, maintaining honesty, and valuing personal connections have helped me create a successful and fulfilling recruiting career.

Author: Brent OHara, Sr. Recruiter, Intuitive