5 months as a recruiter and struggling

I'm a former developer who has been on the other side of the desk many times as a contractor and decided that I wanted to be a recruiter. Come January, I got my chance and within 3 weeks I got my first placement, however; the guy never showed up for work. Ever since then I have struggled to successfully place anyone. People skills, I'm fairly certain, are the under-developed part of the equation. I'm finding that I have good rapore with some people but with many others, I don't think they like me and I don't feel like I'm succeeding as a result. For some of you recruiters out there that have gotten past this development issue, what has helped you and could you give me some pointers? Thank you in advance for helping out someone who is working really hard with little to no results.

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on May 20, 2009 at 11:44am

Here's some posting tips:

Rapore = rapport
Paragraphs are a good thing.

You have to tell us why you think they don't like you.
You must have some idea about what is wrong with your personality.

Bill Boorman says you can have any kind of personality and still succeed
as long as you are on the phone. www.billboorman.com

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Permalink Reply by Srinivas Ganadinni on May 20, 2009 at 1:25pm

Jeremy Pohlman,

No doubt, You are in the toughest job and you may find it difficult to place any one in this market.
To be honest with you, once does not need any Technical skills to outshine in this industry. It is Sales Skills which matters and is not a rocket science to learn. It can be acquired over a period of time.
How are you approaching your clients? what are you pitching on? Prepare well - What to speak n what not to speak.

-Srinivas
srinivasg@novostinc.com
www.novostconsulting.com

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Permalink Reply by Louella Machado on May 20, 2009 at 5:06pm

Hi Jeremy,

Like you I made a move too from corporating recruiting to working independently. I have been trying hard for three months now and still have not seen success. However I have noted from my research that the game has changed very much. Its more IT savy now, which is good but the market conditions are not the greatest with the present economic situation. Dont beat your self over this. With regard to people not liking you - why do you say that, do you have something to substantiate it, is just not making a sale what you are using to make the statement? Just be confident and try to enjoy this learning curve, I know its a costly one, but nonetheless, if we believe in ourselves we will make it , its not rocket science ... its about being commited and using the right tools .... its about time... it will happen, lets both keep going..... all the best....you can email me at louella@alphaworks.ca and maybe we could do some brainstorming!!