I will not immediately resort to quick searches…

Sometimes the temptation to take off running on your search (prior to finishing reading the job description) is just too overwhelming. This is especially true you are challenged to find “the impossible”, and you are eager to prove every one your worth. We've all been there, but we all also know that you increase your chances of success by setting the foundation for your search properly. You’ll have difficulty finding the candidate and you will feel frustrated and not enjoy your search. Slow down.

I won't rely on a single tool when performing my searches...

Be it X-Rays, Flips, linkedIN, or any tool, technique or command. We all have a favorite tool, and sometimes we give too much credit to it. We may get the latest tool, Broadlook’s Diver or what have you, obviously, they are great tools but when you single out a tool you left out some others that maybe more effective, do the right thing and check other tools and/or ask your friends.

I won't buy any more cheat sheets til I master all the tools in the ones I already have...

It's unrealistic to think that we'll be able to fill every position 100% of the time, but if we put use the same strategy time after time we will receive the same results. There are so many tools, techniques, and/or commands to try. Just because we found a tool that provides good results is no reason to stop trying the others available. It's easy to fall into a routine using the same tools, but remember routines can cause you to fall in a rut.

I will do my research before beginning my search...

Every researcher knows that the worst thing about performing a search you're sure will totally rule and finding out it you sucked wind admitting you were wrong. It's true, many times you just know you are destined to find great candidates, but even heavy-hitters slip up. The best tactic to dodge this letdown is to invest time researching, do wikipedia searches or ask around for defining details. Relying too heavily on “the Job description” can be an chink in your armor for researchers; research each challenge before you start on it

I will limit the number of times I blow up on recruiters who don’t get sourcing...

Who hasn't said one or more of the following? "I don't have the patience for %$#%^@&* recruiters who….” Fill in the blanks yourself, or maybe even “%$#%^@&* recruiters make me nauseous. And so on and so forth. We've done it at times, but this year we're going to try to keep the number of instances we devote to an entire day of whining and griping and fault finding to a minimum. Will the day ever come when immature baloney-talking and annoying, useless insults go away? Probably not, but cooling it down a bit would definitely be appreciated by everyone.