Mistakes are costly, and no more so than in recruitment where they can permanently blot your copy book. Instead of learning the hard way through your own experience I've highlighted some of the common quagmires to watch out for. 

The devil’s in the detail

Too many recruiters lose sight of the detail and send poorly laid out mailshots, adverts ridden with grammar mistakes, or incorrectly address their candidates. These oversights, even down to different font sizes, all add to the bigger picture.

Tidy the edges and always proof your work to sustain a professional image.

Shortlisting an unsuitable candidate

If you are doing your candidate qualification as you should, then you will know the candidate’s personal, professional, and situational position better than the back of your hand. You will also be prepped on the client and the specific role so can match candidates accordingly.

Recruitment’s not guesswork, it’s about connecting the dots left by the client and candidate. Remember that your candidates and clients are an extension of your agency’s reputation, so know that whoever you send is also representing your agency.

Overlooking inaccuracies on a CV

Recruiters need to scour CVs and covering letters to weed out the embellishments most candidates are prone to. Almost everyone has a tendency to exaggerate, some however have a different idea of what ‘little’ is.

Tunnel vision recruitment

A bad habit of recruiters is to simply focus on the candidate and role on-hand. A recruiter has to constantly multi-task.

If the particular candidate does not fit the role in question, you should then be considering the other opportunities they're fit for and the other candidates to fill the role – always be planning two steps ahead, every call should be a networking process.

Today’s candidate is tomorrow’s client

Always remember to ensure a candidate’s experience during the recruitment process is a memorable one, as not only is it free marketing, but you could be losing or cementing future business.

Over pricing to lose business

There’s little sense in overpricing your rates as there’s no shortage of recruitment agencies ready to undercut you. This doesn’t mean you need to race to the bottom on price – but be realistic with what you offer.

Failing to highlight how YOU will help THEM

Do not simply sell your pitch, relate it back to why it will help them.

What’s the benefit for a candidate or client to use you - outline the savings they’ll experience on time, cost, and peace of mind. You’re the best recruiter for a reason.

Always dress to impress

It’s not about dressing to the nines for every occasion, but simply about looking presentable.

Appearance is a big deal in recruitment, you are effectively the shop window of what your agency offers. Presentation speaks a lot about a person and their business.

Re-checking location… and checking again

Try not to do what one undisclosed recruiter I know did and send your candidate to not only the wrong HSBC branch but the wrong city, it makes for some uncomfortable objection handling.

Newcastle Upon-Tyne is different to Newcastle Under-Lyme

A night on the ‘Toon’ before a meeting

Regardless of how well you can handle your jager, a client will be able to tell that you’ve been out the night before. You are unlikely to be the first recruiter they’ve met that enjoys a night out, but it will likely earn you a massive black mark if you meet a client or candidate after a heavy night, unless they were present with you that is.

About:

Calum is the Content & Marketing Executive for Sonovate. The number one provider of finance and placement management technology for contract recruitment agencies. Find similar content at www.sonovate.com/blog or follow @Calum551