1. I'm tenacious... I don't let "no" get me down
2. I do what I say and set expectations appropriately on both ends
3. I network, network, network... and not just online. I keep up with old colleagues, other recruiters, business leaders in the local area. I do a lot of face to face meetings. People remember you more! The more people know ME, the less I have to find THEM. And then.. I use that network. I also help a lot of people that may not yield me anything in the short term. I have a long term focus when it comes to networking.
4. I don't rely on job boards, in fact, I rarely use them. I try to find the places that others aren't looking. I really like alumni boards for the kind of work that I do.
5. I understand my industry and the work that my company does. A smart, well-spoken recruiter who understands the industry and the drivers of the people in that industry will get a lot further than one who is just trying to fill a role.