Over the past two decades, my journey in recruiting has been a fascinating blend of learning, growth, and self-discovery. It’s been a remarkable ride, filled with experiences that have shaped my understanding of this dynamic profession. In this blog post, I’d like to share some of my key learnings from my years in recruiting, with a particular focus on the critical themes of trust and transparency.

1. Building Trust: The Core of Recruiting

Recruiting is often perceived as a purely technical skill, but it’s much more than that. While it can be learned and practiced, the degree of mastery you achieve depends on your ability to connect with people on a deeper level. It’s about listening actively and tuning in to their wavelength. Understanding their motivations, aspirations, and concerns is just as important as any technical aspect of recruiting.

2. Recruiting Isn’t Easy – It’s About Trust

Recruiting might seem easy on the surface – after all, most of us can hold a conversation with a candidate. However, the true challenge lies in building a relationship of trust in those relatively short interactions. Without trust, no recruiting process can truly succeed. Candidates won’t open up about their genuine wishes and intentions if they don’t trust you. Trust is the foundation upon which successful recruiting is built.

3. Being an Honest Advisor

On the flip side, building trust with the hiring team is equally crucial. To do this, you must be an honest advisor. Share your insights on the market and the potential challenges or ease of filling a role. But most importantly, only recommend candidates who have genuinely convinced you of their suitability for the position. Never put forward candidates that you wouldn’t hire yourself, either for that specific role or in general. This is the key to establishing a trust-based relationship with the hiring manager and ensuring the success of the hiring process.

4. Communicate Transparently

Transparency is the cornerstone of trust in recruiting. No one will fault you for not finding the perfect candidate, as long as you communicate transparently throughout the process. Always keep everyone involved in the hiring loop updated on your progress. Share both good and bad news promptly. If a candidate drops out or the process faces challenges, be forthright about it. Concealing or delaying such information erodes trust and can derail the entire hiring process.

In conclusion, my two decades in recruiting have underscored the fundamental importance of trust and transparency. These principles are not just ideals; they are the bedrock upon which successful recruiting is built. As we move forward in the ever-evolving field of talent acquisition, let us remember that our ability to connect, build trust, and communicate openly will continue to be the driving forces behind our success in recruiting. These lessons have been hard-earned, and they remain as relevant today as they were when I started on this journey of learning and understanding.