Recruitment Yoga

Today’s post is from Nerissa Reyes from AVANTI People Partnership International in Manila, Philippines. Nerissa is currently serving as secretary/treasurer of NPA’s board of directors and was previously a regional director for the recruitment network. She lives and works across several countries including Jakarta, Sydney and Manila. 

AVANTI People Partnership provides executive search and staffing for various multinational companies across functions. In the fast-growing “business process outsourcing” arena, AVANTI provides cross-border recruitment solutions on a global scale.

Recruitment can be a highly stressful business! I have been in the recruitment industry for 18 years now; I used to have severe back pain due to work pressure. The doctors have done surgery to ease the back pain; it was to no avail until I discovered the POWER OF YOGA…I would like to share my remedy for stress management.

These are the daily applications of yoga practice in dealing with recruitment challenges:

• Yoga creates FOCUS

Yoga teaches us to stay focused, keeps us balanced and centered. There are so many activities that need our attention daily; it is never-ending. But how do we prioritize? Yoga helps us work on the balancing act between business and personal matters.

In the recruitment business, we can work 24×7, especially with the global nature of business. Often, personal life suffers while trying to succeed in our business. When we practice regular yoga poses, we learn to balance and focus the body, mind and soul.

• Yoga breathing clears the MIND

Yoga breathing releases stress; it is liberating and relaxing since it emanates from the core of our physical body.

When faced with operations problems in the office, take a deep breath to release tension; the solution may come more easily. When working with clients who are unreasonable, don’t lose control; breathe deeply then continue with the negotiation.

• Yoga meditation is LISTENING

Yoga teaches us to stay calm and listen to the environment. Just keep still and soak in the present moment; the universe will flow through you and work itself out without pushing too hard.

Listen well to what the client is telling you and understand what will work for their culture before you react. Find out how you can help them. What is the candidate really telling you? What does he really want to do with his career? Listen and really understand his needs to determine if the role is right for him.

• Yoga teaches ACCEPTANCE

We learn to accept things that we cannot change. There is a master plan of the universe. What was previously perceived as a hopeless situation, seemed inconsequential and quite manageable in the greater scheme of things.

I have worked so hard on this account, why can’t I make a placement? It may not happen right NOW but in time. That same client eventually may hire several candidates in their own time; be patient enough to keep working on the account.

Following yoga practice, our recruitment activity is transformed from “just” a business, to a way of sharing life’s blessings. There are no short-cuts to developing long-term relationships with clients/candidates. We have to recognize that we are in a complicated world. Keep your FOCUS and continue to expand your niche in the global world, transcending cultures.

Namaste!