As the Recruiter’s Career Coach, I sometimes think that I have seen it all.  Then I get that next phone call from a Recruiter scrambling to find a new position.  As Recruitment Professionals we are the experts on everyone else’s career, but what happens to our own?

Here are just a few things to do, if you want to get ahead:

• Talk about commission – All of the top performers I have placed in the last three years were earning less than 80k a year before I got my hands on them, because they didn’t stand up and say, “Show me the money!”  As Recruitment Professionals, you are worth $250k plus to the right organization.  It’s time to get over your fear, take your commission plan into your manager and say, “Show me the money!”

• Network for yourself – When networking, Recruitment Professionals are so focused on closing candidates, clients, deals and whatnot, that they end up missing opportunities for themselves.  When Recruitment Professionals want to move up in an organization, nine times out of ten the recruiter who has been actively networking has the job before you even thought it might be time for a change. 

• Watch your production numbers – Recruitment Professionals spend days sourcing, qualifying, screening and submitting. When you are not tracking these numbers you can’t tell when things are out of balance.  Working smarter is always the name of the game.  By tracking these numbers, you will stay in balance, make more money and have the ammunition to get rid of bad clients.

• Manage your LinkedIn Profiles  – I was recently asked, “If Recruiter’s are the experts on getting hired, why are their LinkedIn profiles so bad?” With all the hype around social Media I think enough has been said.

In closing, your career should be as important to you, as your candidates careers are to you. Take a few minutes a week to take care of these five things.