What the Hell is Success Anyway?

"I want to be successful when I grow up". Isn't that what we are taught at an early age? When you are younger you aspire to do so much and achieve so many great things. You are full of vigor and stamina. You have goals, and you start knocking them down one by one. You are determined to be somebody. You are determined to make a difference.

One thing I have really learned over the years is that the definition of success can be polar opposite from one individual to another. As I have been on this site for going on 2 years, I have noticed the differences of opinions. The one thing that remains true though, is that we are all similar in one way. We are recruiters. We are all passionate about the recruiting profession.

You see, there are many different types of recruiters. There are 3rd party recruiters, corporate recruiters, independent agents, "headhunters". Oh who am I kidding!! You can call it whatever the hell you want. Our job is to find and place the BEST TALENT.

We argue. We disagree. We agree. We praise. We bitch and moan. We attack when we feel passionate.

The point is though, even though we are seeking the same talent, I beleive the #1 difference (even though we are all doing the same thing) is how we define what success is. What we do, what we believe, and how we go about doing our business from day to day is how we are different.

I am certain the topic of success and why we all got into recruiting in the first place has been discussed. Why? I was part of many of those debates and even started some of those discussions.
As someone who has been in the field since 1995, I know things have changed. Drastically. I know there are better ways of doing things than others. So, my answer to what success is? Longevity. If you can survive the pitfalls- the good times and the bad, then you have achieved success in this business.

So as Matt Charney, Tim Spagnola, Noel Cocca, Nicole Greenberg Strecker re-invent (and are doing a kick ass job) Recruiting Blogs, be cognizant of your audience. We are all playing for the same team. We have a lot to learn from each other and even though your definition of success may be different than mine.... We are all doing the same damn thing! Placing people!

Now- that I went on a rant, I would love to get the tired and true conversation going again with so many new members and old- time RBC members. Give me your best shot. Do me a favor though, be more creative than money. We can make money in any profession.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 17, 2014 at 1:51pm: I have so much to say about this I don't know if I should comment or write a post of my own in response. :) In a word, this is fabulous. You're so right, Will. What I love about my career would likely drive someone else batty and vice/versa. Oh and I love rants anyway so yeah this post rocked. ;)

Comment by Will Thomson on February 17, 2014 at 2:10pm: Thanks Amy. Yea, in 2014, I think this is my rant site. Glad you liked it. RBC Team- if you see me write here in 2014, it is exclusive to you. No alternative motives, self- promotion crap. I think that is the purpose of RBC and what will keep it alive and well. I wrote it late last night and even contemplated taking it down for a bit. I hope I was able to get the point across and I would love to see your comments and some of the old guys and newbies to this site chat. The purpose of this was to create a kick- ass discussion. Really, that is why we come here anyways. Happy President's day. For the love of god, why is this a holiday anyway?

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 17, 2014 at 3:53pm: Thanks Will.

As Bonnie Raiit sand this song by Allen Toussaint a LONG time ago:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Il5hc36YpUM

“Now what, what
I don't know, can you tell me what
What is success?
Is it do your own thing? Or to join the rest
Or should you truly believe or keep trying over and over again
Living in hopes, that someday you'll be in with the winners

Ooh, tell me what it is
Success
Ooh, tell me what it is
Sweet success”

…………………….

“Our job is to find and place the BEST TALENT.”

Not mine- my job is to find the person that the hiring manger and interview team want to hire who is willing to work for the offer we make to them. Once in a while, they ARE the best, and that’s a pleasure….

-kh

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 17, 2014 at 3:55pm: best is such a subjective term... ;)

Comment by Will Thomson on February 18, 2014 at 12:09pm: Thanks Keith- you know I wrote a blog for B4J that is coming out Wed- it is all about Picking your battles. In Recruiting, if a manger wants someone- at the end of the day you are an ADVISOR and they are your client. They get what they want. That IS the best talent available. Very Subjective- just like Amy Said.

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 18, 2014 at 12:20pm: You're very welcome, Will.

Keep up the blogging!

Comment by Tim Spagnola on February 18, 2014 at 12:51pm: Will - first thank you for kind words! We are all working hard behind the scenes to make the RBC a place that all members can view as a resource. Years ago that was what attracted me to the community. It is reassuring to know at times that as a recruiter I'm not alone in the trenches. That right now there is someone else dealing with that difficult negotiation, unimpressive screen, or worse a fall off. Thank you Will for adding your voice to the ongoing conversation. The RBC presents a huge knowledge base that all recruiters and HR professionals can learn from. Or at very least find levity on Keith's comments. Cheers all.

Comment by Will Thomson on February 18, 2014 at 12:59pm: Thanks Tim. Everyone at RBC has been wonderful to me. The site really embraces good solid conversation about the recruiting community. ALL of us are in the same boat, we are ALL in the trenches. I think everyone has taken notice of what you guys are doing behind the scene. Excited about the future.

Comment by Amy Ala Miller on February 18, 2014 at 5:07pm: I know my post is successful if I can get KH to comment on it. Bonus points if someone gets mad :)

Comment by Keith D. Halperin on February 18, 2014 at 7:18pm: @ Tim: Thank you. "Levity = the opposite of gravity." Sorry to let you know this Tim, but your ARE "alone in the trenches." We didn't want to tell you for fear it would make you sad, but we left last week- "packed up our troubles in our old kit bags and smiled, smiled, smiled. all the long way to Tipperary."

@ Ala: You need to" raise your bar"...

;)

Keep Blogging!