Recruiting Resources

Recruiting Expenses vs. Investments

by Liz Carey

image of man's hands taking cash from his walletAs an independent recruiter, success in this industry requires more than just finding the right candidates for your clients. It also involves investing in your business to ensure long-term growth and profitability. One key aspect of this is understanding the difference between recruiting expenses and investments. In this blog post, we will explore why it’s important to invest in not only recruiting tools and technology, but also branding and marketing, as well as networking and learning opportunities such as recruitment conferences.

Recruiting Investments:

  1. Recruiting Tools and Technology: Many recruiters view expenses such as job board subscriptions or advertising costs as necessary costs of doing business. While these expenses are indeed crucial for attracting candidates and clients, it’s important to shift your mindset from viewing them as mere costs to seeing them as investments in the future success of your business. By investing strategically in tools and technology that streamline your processes and make you more efficient, you can save time and resources in the long run.
  2. Branding and Marketing: Building a strong brand for your recruiting business is essential for standing out in a crowded market. Investing in branding activities such as creating a professional website, developing a logo and brand messaging, and engaging in social media marketing can help you attract top talent and clients. By investing in your brand, you are not only increasing your visibility but also building credibility and trust with potential stakeholders.
  3. Networking Opportunities: Attending recruitment conferences and networking events can be a valuable investment for independent recruiters. These events provide opportunities to connect with industry peers, learn about the latest trends and best practices, and build relationships that can lead to new business opportunities. By investing time and resources into attending these events, you can expand your network, gain new insights, and stay ahead of the competition.

The Importance of Long-Term Planning

When it comes to investing in your recruiting business, it’s important to take a long-term view. Instead of focusing solely on short-term gains or cost-cutting measures, think about how each investment will contribute to the overall growth and sustainability of your business over time. By making strategic investments in areas such as technology, branding, marketing, and networking, you are setting yourself up for success both now and in the future.

Measuring ROI

As with any investment, it’s important to track the return on investment (ROI) of your recruiting expenses. Keep detailed records of how much you are spending on various tools and activities, as well as the results they are generating for your business. Analyze this data regularly to identify areas where you can optimize spending or reallocate resources for better outcomes. By measuring ROI effectively, you can ensure that your investments are paying off in terms of increased revenue, improved efficiency, and overall business growth.

In conclusion, investing in your recruiting business is essential for achieving long-term success as an independent recruiter. By shifting your mindset from viewing expenses as necessary costs to seeing them as strategic investments in the future of your business, you can maximize your recruiting ROI and set yourself apart from competitors. Whether it’s investing in tools and technology to streamline processes or branding activities to build credibility with clients and candidates, every dollar spent should be seen as an opportunity for growth. By taking a proactive approach to investing in areas such as branding, marketing, networking opportunities like recruitment conferences -you are laying the foundation for a successful recruiting career that will stand the test of time.


What Does the Ban on Noncompete Agreements Mean?

by Veronica Blatt

image of noncompete agreements with a red circle and slash on the topBack in January 2023, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced a proposal to prohibit employers from requiring employees to sign noncompete agreements. After a public commentary period, the FTC voted yesterday to implement this proposed rule. Employers may no longer require noncompetes, and existing noncompetes are also considered null and void. An exception remains for existing agreements with senior executives, defined as those making more than US $151,164 per year and hold a policy-making role. The rule is set to take place in 120 days and is sure to face legal challenges. Read the rest of this entry »


Maximizing Your Recruitment Conference Investment: A Guide for Professional Recruiters

by Veronica Blatt

attendees at a recruitment conference coffee breakAttending a recruitment conference offers a unique amalgamation of opportunities for professional recruiters. It’s a chance to network, learn about the latest trends, and find ways to enhance your skills. However, with so much on offer, it’s crucial to approach these conferences with a strategy to ensure you’re not only making the most of your time but also securing a return on your investment. Here’s how: Read the rest of this entry »


Recruit, Pivot, Recruit, Pivot

by Veronica Blatt

image representing a pivot to a new directionToday’s guest blogger is Patti Steen with The Pelsten Group located in Seattle, WA. The Pelsten Group is a recruitment firm that focuses on all levels of positions within Healthcare and Medical Device organizations. The majority of their clients are in the Seattle area, but they actively support NPAworldwide across the US. Patti is currently serving on the NPAworldwide Board of Directors as Secretary/Treasurer. Today she offers some guidance to recruiters who may need to pivot to a new sector or service.

For a lot of recruiters, 2023 was a year of reinventing themselves…over and over again. Customers were hesitant to hire, employees were not making moves and in some markets, layoffs outpaced hiring. It was a difficult pill to swallow coming off two years of frenzied hiring. Read the rest of this entry »


Mastering the Art of Pivoting in Recruiting During Industry Downturns

by Liz Carey

Image of a dirt path in a forest with a fork creating two pathsAs an independent recruiter, navigating through industry downturns can be a daunting challenge. When hiring freezes and budget cuts become the norm, it can feel like your entire business is at risk. However, by mastering the art of pivoting in recruiting, you can not only survive during these tough times but also thrive. On a recent NPAworldwide engagement call, several successful recruiters shared how they have not only weathered the storm through economic downturns and recessions, but thrived due to being able to pivot their business focus. Read the rest of this entry »


How to Prevent Candidate Fall-Offs

by Liz Carey

man falling through the sky attached to a bungee cordAs an independent executive recruiter, you know how crucial it is to find and place top talent in your clients’ companies. Your reputation and business success depend on it. However, one of the biggest challenges recruiters face is candidate fall-offs. This happens when a candidate accepts an offer but ultimately declines or backs out before starting the job. Not only does this reflect poorly on your recruiting abilities, but it also wastes time and money for both you and your client. So how can you prevent candidate fall-offs? Here are some tips to guide you. Read the rest of this entry »


Google’s New Email Rules: A Primer for Recruiters

by Veronica Blatt

Today’s guest blogger is Andrew Rothman, web site manager and project specialist for PCRecruiter, the ATS/CRM hybrid selected by thousands of independent and agency recruiters around the world. PCRecruiter has been an NPAworldwide partner for over a decade. This article reviews the changes recently made by Google to email rules regarding authentication and subscriptions, with a focus on how they might affect the way recruiters handle and scale their email marketing and communications plans.

Back in October, Google announced changes to their email handling policies designed to combat spam. These new changes will be fully in place by February 2024. Yahoo/AOL has announced similar email rules and others will likely follow suit. While the changes should mostly have a positive effect — reducing the amount of junk and scams that get to inboxes — they could have a negative effect on your recruiting process if you rely heavily on cold email or aren’t using properly configured outgoing email systems. Read the rest of this entry »


Every Day is March Madness in Recruiting

by Liz Carey

basketball net with basketball in itRecruiters are constantly faced with challenges, obstacles, and the unpredictable nature of the job. Sound familiar? That’s because recruiting is a lot like March Madness – the annual college basketball tournament that captivates audiences around the world. In this blog post, we will explore how the recruiting industry mirrors the excitement, intensity, and unpredictability of March Madness. Read the rest of this entry »


Marketing Most Placeable Candidates For Business Development

by Liz Carey

Ace of spades playing card amongst other cardsIn the competitive world of recruitment, the ability to identify and attract top talent can make or break a business. As recruiters, your success hinges on your ability to connect qualified candidates with the right opportunities. However, in order to truly excel in this field, it is essential to focus on marketing Most Placeable Candidates (MPCs). These individuals possess the skills, experience, and attitude that set them apart from the rest. By strategically targeting and promoting MPCs, you can elevate your business development efforts and achieve unparalleled results. Read the rest of this entry »


Recruiters: The Cupids of Hiring

by Liz Carey

Statue of Cupid shooting his arrow

As Valentine’s Day approaches, love is in the air. But for recruiters, the focus is on finding the perfect match between job seekers and employers. Just like Cupid, recruiters have the ability to bring two parties together in a way that can change their lives forever. In this blog post, we’ll explore how recruiters are like Cupid — the ultimate matchmaker — and why their role in matching jobs to candidates and candidates to jobs is so important.

  1. Understanding Compatibility

Just as Cupid has an innate understanding of what makes two people compatible, recruiters have an expert knowledge of what qualifications and skills make a candidate perfect for a particular job. They don’t just go through resumes and pick out anyone who looks good on paper; they take the time to understand what each employer needs in an employee and use that information to find someone who is not only qualified but also fits well with the company culture.

  1. Making Introductions

Once a recruiter has identified a qualified candidate who would be a good fit for a particular job opening, they don’t hesitate to make introductions between the candidate and the employer. This is where their skills as a matchmaker really come into play – they know how to sell both sides on why they’re each perfect for one another. They highlight the candidate’s strengths and show how those strengths align with the employer’s needs.

  1. Overcoming Obstacles

Just like in any romantic relationship, there can be obstacles that stand in the way of making a successful match between a candidate and an employer. It could be anything from salary negotiations to scheduling conflicts or even personality clashes between team members. Recruiters have experience navigating these challenges and finding creative solutions that benefit everyone involved.

  1. Building Long-Term Relationships

Cupid doesn’t just fire off arrows willy-nilly; he takes the time to carefully consider each match and ensure that it has the potential for longevity. Similarly, recruiters don’t just place a candidate in a job and move on to the next one. They take the time to build relationships with both the candidate and employer, ensuring that everyone is happy with the match and that it has long-term potential.

  1. Spreading The Love

Finally, just as Cupid spreads love wherever he goes, recruiters are constantly networking and building connections within their industry. They attend conferences, join professional organizations, and stay up-to-date on all of the latest trends in recruitment. This allows them to keep making successful matches between candidates and employers – spreading positivity and success wherever they go.

In conclusion, recruiters truly are the ultimate matchmaker – bringing together two halves to create something greater than the sum of its parts. Just as Cupid understands what makes two people compatible, recruiters understand what qualifications make a candidate perfect for a particular job. They make introductions between candidates and employers while overcoming obstacles that might stand in their way. Recruiters also build long-term relationships with those they work with while constantly striving to spread positivity throughout their industry by networking at every opportunity. So this Valentine’s Day, let’s celebrate our favorite matchmakers – recruiters.


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