Let’s take a moment to reflect on the amazing ways that recruiters can see success in their efforts. The telephone and internet have done some miraculous things for the field. For instance, recruiters can call potential candidates and learn about them. In the online world, you can generally do the same through written text and chats on social networking sites and email. Forgive me for pulling the trump card, but neither of these methods involves physical interaction. Meeting face to face is a huge benefit to both parties when trying to gather information. I mean, how else are you going to know how attractive the person is? That was a joke, but both job seekers and recruiters often forget the importance of social events and exchanges when living in a world of technology.

When I was communicating with a recruiter from Resource, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was receiving calls from a woman I didn’t know and discussing my future with her. Was she out for my money? Did she really care about finding me a job or just doing hers? It wasn’t until she asked to arrange a meeting in person that I learned that this woman was actually trying to help my future. Actions speak louder than words after all, and she seemed genuinely interested in trying to find me a career.

So what if a recruiter can’t meet with everyone individually? Pull out your streamers, confetti, and whistles then! It’s time to party. Well, you probably don’t need those, but events are a great for recruiters, candidates, and clients to get to know one another. Even a small get-together is sufficient. Inviting candidates and presenting information on clients and open positions while engaging in conversation is valuable. This is likely to attract devoted and skilled people as the best of the best generally take the extra time to meet physically.

If event planning is out of a company’s reach, then look for a new job because it will fail. The seriousness of my last statement is slim to none. Sorry if I offended you. Miraculous solutions take place all over the country every day, however. These come in the form of career fairs, and they are also a great way to promote the recruiting company, open positions, and also prove the credibility of candidates. In my adventures, highly skilled and determined people are the ones who take the extra initiative to attend job fairs. On the other hand, these fairs also attract people who just want free water bottles and extra larger t-shirts.

Many people believe that their online networks need to be separate from their physical ones. However, offering the chance to meet face to face with online connections is highly advised. I mean, why else would LinkedIn have a page devoted to organizing and promoting events? Also, wouldn’t it feel so good to make an event on Facebook or be able to respond with “attending” to an invite? Online networking is a great and valued tool, but when trying to form a mutual understanding, nothing beats talking in person. Why do you think people hate getting dumped by phone or internet?

So, the question I leave with you recruiters and job seekers is this. Am I just barking in the dark? Is online and phone interaction enough? Recruiters, do you try to have physical meetings with candidates as much as possible? Job seekers, do you agree that face to face has the most benefit? If a tree falls in the forest with no one to hear it, does it make a sou-woops, got carried away.