Question of the day: What role does luck play in your recruiting success?

From today's RBC Daily:

Does luck play a role in your recruiting success? A colleague of mine opened a new job order and later that same afternoon conducted a cold calling block and identified a great candidate after five calls. This indvidual was presented to the client, interviewed the following week, and is now in the process of negotiating a contract. All recruiters have had placements play out like this in some fashion, where the stars all appear to line up just right. Or is it purely luck?

Question of the day: What role does luck play in your recruiting success?

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Permalink Reply by Bill Schultz on August 14, 2012 at 1:11pm

It would be lucky if your colleague started working in recruiting that day. But the fact that s/he knew where to target with a cold call blitz was not luck, neither was vetting the candidate and knowing they were appropriate.

Now bad luck, that plays a big role.

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Permalink Reply by Ben McGrath on August 14, 2012 at 1:29pm

There's an old adage that practice and preparation equal luck....... Bill stated it quite well above. I also agree with the statement that bad luck plays a big role.

All the best,

Ben

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Permalink Reply by Rob Koenig on August 14, 2012 at 2:02pm

Louis Pasteur said, "Chance favors the prepared."

I also like Lefty Gomez's take, "I'd rather be lucky than good."

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Permalink Reply by Brian K. Johnston on August 14, 2012 at 2:33pm

Zero

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Permalink Reply by Bill Schultz on August 14, 2012 at 2:33pm

I've had lots of bad luck deals-

Off the top of my head was the guy who was driving to sign an offer and he got a call that his wife was in a car accident. She was in traction for months. Worse luck for them than me but still, argh.

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Permalink Reply by Amber on August 14, 2012 at 2:50pm

Hmm, Bill is right - when things don't work it definitely seems like bad luck (your example was certainly bad luck). When things work smoothly I'm always sure it's because I am so talented and skilled, lol!

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on August 14, 2012 at 3:43pm

none

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Permalink Reply by Valentino Martinez on August 27, 2012 at 2:47am

I have a realistic respect for the “luck factor” (good & bad) when it relates to recruitment and other life experiences for that matter. And I consider myself very lucky for the opportunities I’ve had and continue to have in the discipline.

Human nature can be predictable and also fickle on both the client and candidate side of the equation. Sometimes it’s a wonder that we as recruiters can orchestrate or facilitate a mutually benefiting outcome. When something good does happen, in some extreme situations, it goes beyond luck – it’s a miracle.

BTW...I like the visual of Dirty Harry.