Comment by Lori Anderson on March 6, 2012 at 9:33am

My biggest regret is not looking at this career sooner.  I wish now I had seen recruiting as a viable career 10 years ago and had started working to learn the industry.  I had done some sourcing and lead generation but had never taken my job to the level I work at now.  I believe my life would have been very different if I had been more aggressive pursuing recruiting as a career when I was 10 to 15 years younger.   

Comment by Valentino Martinez on March 6, 2012 at 10:23am

You may be right, Lori—about starting at an earlier age in recruiting and having a different life now, but you also have to remember that a large percentage of people who try recruiting washout, or stick, for any number of reasons, e.g., timing, ambition, maturity, opportunity, luck, personal issues, success, tradition, mentors, etc.  I often tell want-to-be recruiters—be careful what you as for, you might get it. 

 

Recruiting, like any career, appears as an opportunity by choice or happenstance.  I value a family and extended family tradition that starts out in the military.  For me, that venture (and adventure) dovetailed into recruitment which I’ve been doing going on forty-one years now.  But my original heartbeat was to pursue pilot school and maybe Astronaut School—I wanted to be a test pilot but my eye sight was not 20-20 and I’m colorblind--thus could not qualify for flight school. 

 

Interestingly, later in a recruiting role--I ended up facilitating the hire of an astronaut and Top Gun Fighter Pilots.  And design and support engineers for combat aircraft and space travel.

Comment by Lori Anderson on March 6, 2012 at 10:32am

I see your point.  The industry I am in now, Financial, took a huge hit in 2009.  If I had been working then as I am now, I would have been in huge trouble.  I also have to admit that much of what makes me a success now is the eclectic skills I picked up trying to get here.  I would not have the research or marketing skills I have now had it not been for the crappy, online jobs I took at the beginning of my career just to stay employed.  I am glad I found this industry though and that I have a great mentor in Courtney Raymond.  I never though I would find such a rewarding career.   

Comment by Valentino Martinez on March 6, 2012 at 10:45am

Yes, Lori--

I liked your "Why I love recruiting" entry as well.  You make a good point in having a strong mentor in Courtney Raymond.  I've been in recruiting environments where discouragement, not mentorship, was the deal.  I've been told to "slow down...you're making the rest of us look bad." 

In the end you make your way--one way or the other.

Comment by Lori Anderson on March 6, 2012 at 10:51am

And the sooner one learns that making your way is your own responsibility, the more success one can enjoy.  Life is too short to do something for life you can't stand to do.  :)

Comment by Valentino Martinez on March 7, 2012 at 1:08am

Thanks, Maisha--I like the Images of Grimace, as I call them, as well.

What you say about missing mentors along the way can be a disadvantage.  But it can also be a blessing in disguise—because it forces you to read the terrain, leverage your networks, make adjustments; learn by doing, failing, succeeding--and move forward with good commons sense.

The inspiration, motivation and sage advice you get in heart and mind from experiences, family, true friends (loved ones) and a few complete strangers.  And from favorite teachers & coaches; meaningful authors, books, mags, bios, puzzles, movies, songs & song writers, graffiti, poems; riddles, stuff w/instructions included; where you worship (what you worship); and every time you have a near death experience. 

With some exceptions--all of this mentioned above and a few other things have supplanted the need for a formal mentor.  Though they can be a big benefit--you’ll come to realize when a formal mentor starts to guide you with words, gestures, and philosophies you’ll realize you’re already familiar with what they’re saying almost to the degree that you will be finishing their sentences…or giving them a few.

Comment