do a better job for our candidates and companies we represent.
The more we realize that influence and positioning and digging out and speaking to objections in the particular are part of what we do (you know, selling) the less we will turn people into commodities and mindlessly shovel crap which is actually what gives recruiters a bad rap.
I think many recruiter, upon hearing the word sales, go straight to a mental image of a snake oil or used car salesperson - the worst examples of sales - instead of the heroes of commerce that keep the engines of business moving forward. Those unfortunates aren't the best examples of sales - they are bad behavior personified, so of course we have an aversion. This isn't to say there are not used-car salesmen that are fantastic - there are. But it is an image I had to fight in my mind and it doesn't seem confined to me.
Selling isn't artlessly or hamfistedly trying to get someone to do what they don't want - that is just bad behavior, poor manners and a trip to loserville. Sales is finding the person who wants what you have and helping them get it, which sounds a lot like recruiting, doesn't it?…