The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off today and it’s safe to say, we’re excited. Years of training and planning sees 20 teams come together today in a six week, 48 game extravaganza. Kicking off in Twickenham, ‘the home of English rugby’, the tournament will take place across the UK. In honour of this, we take a look at some of the similarities between recruitment and rugby; after all, what better day than the world cup launch day?

Team Work

Rugby is a game founded on teamwork. Athletes of all shapes and sizes pull together to become a hard hitting, fast-paced and efficient team in a bid to destroy the opposition. Whatever the position, each player develops a specific skill which contributes to a particular aspect of the bigger game. For example, the hooker specialises at throwing the ball in the line out and ‘hooking’ the ball in a scrum to ensure he or she secures possession for their team. In contrast, the fly-half focuses on driving a team’s game plan and providing order to the back line. By working fluidly together, these two extremely different players each become a cog in the wheel of a highly effective team.

A great recruitment consultancy takes this same approach. Each consultant should be highly specialised in their market or skill set, focusing on providing the most comprehensive service to their clients. For example, a recruiter who specialises in permanent positions within a specific area should work collaboratively with their contract counterpart. Although on the surface they seem similar, the motivations behind contract and permanent hiring can change significantly. Combined, these specialists make two parts of a highly effective recruiting tag team, delivering the best knowledge and support to their clients and candidates.

Relationships

Establishing strong relationships is vital, especially in a rugby team of 15 people. In order to operate as a well-oiled machine, each player needs to consider their relationship with everybody else and trust that their teammates will fulfil their responsibilities successfully.

Candidates and clients both place a large amount of responsibility in the hands of a recruiter and being able to fulfil them is crucial. Businesses are often willing to invest in securing the best talent for the role, whereas candidates trust that their career progression is going to be taken in the right direction, depending on their moral values, motivators and existing skillset.

Communication

The pace of a rugby game can be electrifying. However, rugby players aren’t mind readers and fast-paced play is achieved through excellent communication. The right calls and plays are forged through a team that talks, but more importantly, listens. Only through regular, structured communication can a good team become a world cup winning side.

Strong communication with clients and candidates is a fundamental expectation of any successful recruiter. When working with an employer, understanding their job requirements in detail allows you to market the job more effectively. Likewise, a good relationship with a candidate can help a recruiter deeply understand their core motivators and determine whether or not the role is suitable.

Competitiveness

A thirst for competition is vital for any successful athlete. Rugby is an extremely physical game and it’s important that even when a player is tired, they dust themselves off and use that competitive streak to push on through.

To succeed as a recruiter, the same applies. Although there’s no physical strain (we hope!), a recruiter’s working hours can be long and the role can be challenging. Possessing these competitive characteristics can drive a recruiter to be the very best at what they do. They strive to create and maintain strong networks, provide the best and most consultative recruitment support and have the most in-depth market knowledge. This drive to succeed, even when tired and worn, is what separates an average recruiter from a great one.

Austin Fraser is an award winning, specialist IT and Engineering recruiter who specialise in sourcing specialists. It's our mission to break the perception of 'stereotypical recruiters' and demonstrate that recruitment, when done well, is an excellent and consultative process. 

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