Recruiters were once known as headhunters. Some see this as a negative spin on global recruitment professionals. At one time, it really was an accurate description of the process to find talent. I do not propose a return to 1980s style recruitment, but it seems sensible to add some proven process to the technology we use today.
Recruiters today are using social tools to find talent. Not a problem for me. But can an outcome be to draw prospects/candidates in so that my call will be accepted? Think about things you can do to help tee up some better and easier phone calls to candidates, contacts and potential reference sources for talent.
We are all spending time on social media tools like LinkedIn. Do you know how you are doing with your LinkedIn connections? Do you know where you stand? Try this one: Check Your LI SSI (Social Selling Index). There will be some clues in there about where you are doing well and where you need to improve. Take time to understand and take action.
Draw the candidates you need toward you. You claim to be an expert, maybe even a niche recruiter. What are you doing to prove this and draw talent toward you? Can you write an original piece of content to share? Can you share someone else’s take on a topic closely related to your specialty? How many times a day do you do this? Why not once or twice every day??? Maybe your connections will begin to see you as an expert they want to be closely connected to? Maybe your call to them will be answered?
What about the best jobs you have…do you write them up in an interesting way or are they cut-and-pastes of what others less-savvy than you have done? Do you post them once and hope they are seen, or do you bring them back to social media tools daily with a fresh spin or look? Good and interestingly-presented jobs should make a call to a candidate easier to initiate and gain a response.
Do you know who is looking at your stuff? Who likes what you post? Candidates and contacts looking at your posts and shares are warmed up targets for a live call, not a cold call. Get on these now! Keep working to attract more warm leads for resumes and referrals.
LinkedIn has much info on your connections. I find birthdays are a point of reflection for many people and if you note when the birthday is happening and say something like “I have noticed that as my birthday comes around, I reflect on what is next for me. Maybe you would like to discuss a few options for what is next for you?” Create one that works for you and give it a go. Warm contacts up for a call!
If you are dependent on social selling tools, leverage them appropriately to improve. The goal should be a live call. Until you have had a conversation or two, they are just LinkedIn connections that a thousand recruiters have. Set targets for contacts you want to connect with via the phone. And then do it…become a headhunter.