RecruitFest: It's ALL about the Conversation.

I should preface this discussion with the admission that this is my first discussion on RecruitingBlogs- and mainly it is due to a request by Maren Hogan...and who can refuse Maren.

I simply prefer to speak directly to individuals, occasionaly comment publicly and, for the most part, my blogs are written elsewhere w/o fanfare and tend to be musings directed only to myself.

That being said, I'm a fan of showing up for a good conversation. I admire the RecruitngBlogs community as an online source of great conversation and look forward to the real-time engagement of old friends and new connections in Toronto at RecruitFest next month.

I'm going because I think it is important to listen actively in a venue where everyone has a voice. I wouldn't even know how to sell the importance of a format like the one RecruitFest offers- not because I struggle with the value prop but because it is so much a part of my DNA that I wouldn't want folks who need or prefer more traditional approaches to choose it.

I've also been known to hold some strong opinions about the difference between simply recruiting for a buck if it limits making a difference in what you do for a living... regardless of whether it is recruiting or anything else. I'm convinced the former is guaranteed by pursuing the latter.

Staffing is a lifelong passion of mine and one of my hot buttons is digging into what we really owe the job seeker as a stakeholder in the profession we are all attempting to master. I would really enjoy hearing your thoughts...firsthand...next month.

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Slouch on August 6, 2009 at 10:31am

Gerry, If you are going, I'm not going.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gerry Crispin on August 6, 2009 at 11:04am

Just send your drum

Slouch said:

Gerry, If you are going, I'm not going.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by M A on August 6, 2009 at 11:35am

Gerry, it was a real pleasure (okay, honor) to meet you at Recruifest last year, and I am looking forward to having a conversation with you - again - at Recruitfest '09.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Kara D. on August 6, 2009 at 3:38pm

I intend to hit my boss up to attend Recruitfest '09 (tomorrow). But - being the only recruiter here, I will be attending alone.......do most of you attend alone?

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Gerry Crispin on August 7, 2009 at 12:07pm

You won't be alone for long. My experience is that this community is very inclusive and all you need is curiosity and the ability to ask questions. Active listening is a plus. (I suspect that a recruiter without these attributes wouldn't be a recruiter for long.) Look forward to meeting you.

Kara D. said:

I intend to hit my boss up to attend Recruitfest '09 (tomorrow). But - being the only recruiter here, I will be attending alone.......do most of you attend alone?