Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joshua Lee on December 5, 2012 at 1:38am

Julenne - Let me answer your question with a series of questions to help me understand where you're coming from.  Your situation can be interpreted so many ways, I just have to make sure I'm seeing it form the right perspective.  

1. Are you merely inquiring and considering maybe, perhaps, kinda thinking about getting into recruiting or have you decided?

2. What led you to recruiting?  How did you come to decide this is what you want to look into (as apposed to something else that you've already done?

3. This is personal, but would you say you've found success in many things you've done or few?

4. Do you know people in staffing?  

5. What do you know about the business?  What assumptions, knowledge, education, information, experience do you have regarding the business?

6. Finally, is there a business that you think anybody can be successful in without experience?

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Timperley on December 5, 2012 at 5:29am

Julenne -

If you're question relates to you personally setting up a recruitment agency and working on your own? In my personal opinion, I think you would be brave (some may say nuts), but I honestly think you would struggle more than you could imagine. If you're asking can you set up a recruitment business, and have experienced people run it for you? That would all depend on who you recruit to run your business.

Tom

  

 

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Permalink Reply by Julenne Caldwell on December 5, 2012 at 4:34pm

Thanks for you reply Joshua, it is much appreciated. I have answered your questions below.

-Julenne

Joshua Lee said:

Julenne - Let me answer your question with a series of questions to help me understand where you're coming from.  Your situation can be interpreted so many ways, I just have to make sure I'm seeing it form the right perspective.  

1. Are you merely inquiring and considering maybe, perhaps, kinda thinking about getting into recruiting or have you decided?

I have been told that being a recruiter would fit me due to my sales experience and resourcefulness when it comes networking, finding employment as well as assisting friends with doing so.

2. What led you to recruiting?  How did you come to decide this is what you want to look into (as apposed to something else that you've already done?

My understanding is that recruiting is based ultimately upon sales and relationships, and I have been in sales for close to 10 years with great success. 

3. This is personal, but would you say you've found success in many things you've done or few?

I have achieved success overall, I'm looking for a change along with a boost in income, with the ability to work for myself.

4. Do you know people in staffing?  

No, I do not.

5. What do you know about the business?  What assumptions, knowledge, education, information, experience do you have regarding the business?

From what I've read and observed so far. mostly from this site, the competition is stiff, but there are definitely opportunities out there. Education isn't as important as sales experience over the phone and in person. It would probably be wise to obtain a mentor of some sort before jumping out there completely solo.  

6. Finally, is there a business that you think anybody can be successful in without experience?

I know that in the beginning there will definitely be some bumps in the road and am not expecting success overnight. I have noticed a couple of posts from recruiters that are fairly new to the business and would like to get a gist of what it is like to start from scratch.

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Permalink Reply by Julenne Caldwell on December 5, 2012 at 4:40pm

Hi Thomas,

The question is in relation to starting my own boutique agency. I feel if done right, that it is something that I could potentially be great at.

Thanks,

Julenne

Thomas Timperley said:

Julenne -

If you're question relates to you personally setting up a recruitment agency and working on your own? In my personal opinion, I think you would be brave (some may say nuts), but I honestly think you would struggle more than you could imagine. If you're asking can you set up a recruitment business, and have experienced people run it for you? That would all depend on who you recruit to run your business.

Tom

  

 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Joshua Lee on December 5, 2012 at 5:22pm

Julenne,

Let me respond in kind below.

Julenne Caldwell said:

Thanks for you reply Joshua, it is much appreciated. I have answered your questions below.

-Julenne

Joshua Lee said:

Julenne - Let me answer your question with a series of questions to help me understand where you're coming from.  Your situation can be interpreted so many ways, I just have to make sure I'm seeing it form the right perspective.  

1. Are you merely inquiring and considering maybe, perhaps, kinda thinking about getting into recruiting or have you decided?

I have been told that being a recruiter would fit me due to my sales experience and resourcefulness when it comes networking, finding employment as well as assisting friends with doing so.

 

- It is true that recruiting has a lot of similarities to sales.  In fact a lot of the training are derived from well established sales concepts (open ended questioning, rebuttals to objections, controlling the conversation, managing expectations, follow up, being service oriented).

 

- However, just because you know how to cook an egg doesn't mean you know how to make eggs benedict.  There is industry substantive knowledge that needs to be learned.  For instance, although people are people, the IT customer is different than the Finance customer.  Likewise, the Start-up customer is different than your Fortune 500, the Manufacturing industry is different from services industry, etc.  so there is a bit of a learning curve, although your sales experience will give you the conceptual idea of how to approach the problem.

 

2. What led you to recruiting?  How did you come to decide this is what you want to look into (as apposed to something else that you've already done?

My understanding is that recruiting is based ultimately upon sales and relationships, and I have been in sales for close to 10 years with great success.

 

- Supra (look above at #1).  Again, very similar but different.  Not apples and oranges but more like tangerine and lemon.  You have to appreciate the distinctions which will come with time and experience.  Starting out knowing that, will be helpful.

 

3. This is personal, but would you say you've found success in many things you've done or few?

I have achieved success overall, I'm looking for a change along with a boost in income, with the ability to work for myself.

 

- This is a totally separate subject.  You can make a good living.  It's definitely possible.  However, I would like to caution you in this way.  There are many nuances to staffing that you can't possibly know without experience.  How many people to submit for interview, how many interviews are good, how to prepare candidates, what to do when a deal goes south, and how to anticipate that things will go south some of the times.  It's a big deal when you're dealing with people's careers and not just a widget.  

 

4. Do you know people in staffing?  

No, I do not.

 

- You will get "some" superficial" information from this blog but in no way will it give you real substantive info that is required.  Sure people share stuff but think about.  Do you think anybody is really going to give away their "secret sauce"?  You have to also learn to distinguish advice from novices and experts.

 

5. What do you know about the business?  What assumptions, knowledge, education, information, experience do you have regarding the business?

From what I've read and observed so far. mostly from this site, the competition is stiff, but there are definitely opportunities out there. Education isn't as important as sales experience over the phone and in person. It would probably be wise to obtain a mentor of some sort before jumping out there completely solo.  

 

- I would highly recommend you don't go solo right off the bat.  You simply don't know what you don't know.  I would work for an agency for 2 solid years then decide if going solo is for you.  

 

6. Finally, is there a business that you think anybody can be successful in without experience?

I know that in the beginning there will definitely be some bumps in the road and am not expecting success overnight. I have noticed a couple of posts from recruiters that are fairly new to the business and would like to get a gist of what it is like to start from scratch.

 

- Again, there are things that are just not shared.  It's a hard road.  Think of it this way.  Imagine you've done your homework...etc etc. and you're ready to get cooking.  You make your first call to a client.  They ask you "I need a Software Engineer.  We're a Java shop.  I need an Architect and a Business Analyst asap".  Please help!  Do you know how to source for them?  Lets say you are fortunate enough to find a couple.  Are they the right kind?  Do you know what you have to ask these candidates before you submit them?  Even if they give you the right answers, do you know what you have to do after they get their first interview?  Do you know how many times you have to go through this before one sticks?

 

- All I'm saying is.....I think personally, anybody who starts their own firm without working for someone first is asking for a painful reality check.

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Permalink Reply by Amy Ala Miller on December 5, 2012 at 7:06pm

Start in an agency. Learn on someone else's dime, figure out if you prefer pure Biz Dev, pure recruiting, or a blend of both. I would recommend starting with a larger firm, like Robert Half or Aerotek, as they have pretty robust training. You'll also see good, bad, and everything inbetween recruiters.

 

Good luck.

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Permalink Reply by Julenne Caldwell on December 5, 2012 at 8:12pm

Thank you very much Amy!

Amy Ala said:

Start in an agency. Learn on someone else's dime, figure out if you prefer pure Biz Dev, pure recruiting, or a blend of both. I would recommend starting with a larger firm, like Robert Half or Aerotek, as they have pretty robust training. You'll also see good, bad, and everything inbetween recruiters.

 

Good luck.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Julenne Caldwell on December 5, 2012 at 8:17pm

Thank you Joshua, I appreciate all of your insight and advice! 

Joshua Lee said:

Julenne,

Let me respond in kind below.

Julenne Caldwell said:

Thanks for you reply Joshua, it is much appreciated. I have answered your questions below.

-Julenne

Joshua Lee said:

Julenne - Let me answer your question with a series of questions to help me understand where you're coming from.  Your situation can be interpreted so many ways, I just have to make sure I'm seeing it form the right perspective.  

1. Are you merely inquiring and considering maybe, perhaps, kinda thinking about getting into recruiting or have you decided?

I have been told that being a recruiter would fit me due to my sales experience and resourcefulness when it comes networking, finding employment as well as assisting friends with doing so.

 

- It is true that recruiting has a lot of similarities to sales.  In fact a lot of the training are derived from well established sales concepts (open ended questioning, rebuttals to objections, controlling the conversation, managing expectations, follow up, being service oriented).

 

- However, just because you know how to cook an egg doesn't mean you know how to make eggs benedict.  There is industry substantive knowledge that needs to be learned.  For instance, although people are people, the IT customer is different than the Finance customer.  Likewise, the Start-up customer is different than your Fortune 500, the Manufacturing industry is different from services industry, etc.  so there is a bit of a learning curve, although your sales experience will give you the conceptual idea of how to approach the problem.

 

2. What led you to recruiting?  How did you come to decide this is what you want to look into (as apposed to something else that you've already done?

My understanding is that recruiting is based ultimately upon sales and relationships, and I have been in sales for close to 10 years with great success.

 

- Supra (look above at #1).  Again, very similar but different.  Not apples and oranges but more like tangerine and lemon.  You have to appreciate the distinctions which will come with time and experience.  Starting out knowing that, will be helpful.

 

3. This is personal, but would you say you've found success in many things you've done or few?

I have achieved success overall, I'm looking for a change along with a boost in income, with the ability to work for myself.

 

- This is a totally separate subject.  You can make a good living.  It's definitely possible.  However, I would like to caution you in this way.  There are many nuances to staffing that you can't possibly know without experience.  How many people to submit for interview, how many interviews are good, how to prepare candidates, what to do when a deal goes south, and how to anticipate that things will go south some of the times.  It's a big deal when you're dealing with people's careers and not just a widget.  

 

4. Do you know people in staffing?  

No, I do not.

 

- You will get "some" superficial" information from this blog but in no way will it give you real substantive info that is required.  Sure people share stuff but think about.  Do you think anybody is really going to give away their "secret sauce"?  You have to also learn to distinguish advice from novices and experts.

 

5. What do you know about the business?  What assumptions, knowledge, education, information, experience do you have regarding the business?

From what I've read and observed so far. mostly from this site, the competition is stiff, but there are definitely opportunities out there. Education isn't as important as sales experience over the phone and in person. It would probably be wise to obtain a mentor of some sort before jumping out there completely solo.  

 

- I would highly recommend you don't go solo right off the bat.  You simply don't know what you don't know.  I would work for an agency for 2 solid years then decide if going solo is for you.  

 

6. Finally, is there a business that you think anybody can be successful in without experience?

I know that in the beginning there will definitely be some bumps in the road and am not expecting success overnight. I have noticed a couple of posts from recruiters that are fairly new to the business and would like to get a gist of what it is like to start from scratch.

 

- Again, there are things that are just not shared.  It's a hard road.  Think of it this way.  Imagine you've done your homework...etc etc. and you're ready to get cooking.  You make your first call to a client.  They ask you "I need a Software Engineer.  We're a Java shop.  I need an Architect and a Business Analyst asap".  Please help!  Do you know how to source for them?  Lets say you are fortunate enough to find a couple.  Are they the right kind?  Do you know what you have to ask these candidates before you submit them?  Even if they give you the right answers, do you know what you have to do after they get their first interview?  Do you know how many times you have to go through this before one sticks?

 

- All I'm saying is.....I think personally, anybody who starts their own firm without working for someone first is asking for a painful reality check.

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Permalink Reply by Tim Spagnola on December 6, 2012 at 7:52am

Welcome to the RBC Julenne!

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Permalink Reply by Jerry Albright on December 6, 2012 at 9:08am

Hi Julenne.  Welcome to the group.

Simply put, you'll want to spend a minimum of 2 or 3 years working in an agency environment learning the profession.  I just can not see how anyone would be able to jump in, on their own, and figure this out.

 

Looking back at what I "thought" I knew after only a few years in recruiting - it was really closer to the 5 year mark that I felt I had a solid grip on things.   

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Permalink Reply by Julenne Caldwell on December 6, 2012 at 1:31pm

Thank you :)

Tim Spagnola said:

Welcome to the RBC Julenne!

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Leary on December 6, 2012 at 1:34pm

Hi Julenne... Welcome aboard! There is great advice here on the site. Stay active an dread as much as possible. We have a new series of webinar being presented shortly that may help you in this. 

It's a tough business but rewarding for sure.

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