Is a Recruiter Made or Born?

I sat across the table and looked into his blue eyes. I had asked several questions about the healthcare recruiting industry, of which I knew nothing about... But I was familiar with sales, as well as medical terminology and I knew I would do well. I think he believed me. But my "mommy" charm worried him a bit. I was a newly divorced, mother of four, kids ranging from ages four to fourteen. I needed the job, I needed a change and I loved what I had heard thus far...

His next question surprised me but I bounced back quickly. He asked me if I would be offended by foul language. He went on to state that sometimes, conversations would become heated and individuals would become excited as a result of the stress of the job. The success of an independent executive search firm depends upon placements and whether or not clients are happy with the results... happy enough to re-engage. After ten years of mini-van driving and diaper changing, it sounded like my kind of stress

I responded to his questions with a resounding "(**severe explicative**) No!" His eyes got big and hearty chuckle cradled his next question, "When can you start?" I loved that job from the moment I sat down to interview. The life of a recruiter fit me like a glove. I learned the in's and out's of interview techniques for various situations. I valued time with clients. I praised other recruiters and was excited when they did well for it meant the continued success of the firm. I hated the competitive nature of some of my co-workers and tried not to become so. I arrived early and stayed late. I craved the opportunity to learn more and dove into new ways to use the internet to assist me, in any way possible.

I stayed with that firm for five years and what I learned there about recruiting is invaluable and still lives within me today. Each of us comes to this profession for different reasons, from different backgrounds. Of course, I never said, "I want to be a recruiter when I grow up." I knew I didn't want to be a salesman, that's what my father did for too long - The acorn doesn't fall too far from the tree, huh?

Not all recruiters are made or created equally. It comes down to a question that was asked on the Recruiting Animal show recently "Is a recruiter made or born?" Nature vs. Nurture? Of course, I learned techniques and discovered tools that helped me do my job better but it just came too naturally to me for me to believe that I wasn't born to do that job... I loved it, it fit my head and my heart perfectly.

In the end, it doesn't matter if you were born to do a specific job, it's still a job and if you don't work to be good at it, it will slip away, just like any other ability. Like playing the piano or speaking a foreign language, if you don't use, you lose it...

*Starting a new search today, if anyone knows a developer in South Orange County, CA - have them give me a ring (and not a diamond one) !

by rayannethorn

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Daniel J Smith on December 17, 2010 at 2:53pm

My friend Rebecca has three questions which you answered very well:

When was your first job?

Anyone in your family work in sales?(or related industries)

Who is the major breadwinner in the house?

Some things we do just because we naturally can: Those are better than work

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Permalink Reply by Heidi on December 17, 2010 at 5:21pm

Very nice!

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Permalink Reply by Sandra McCartt on December 17, 2010 at 5:37pm

Born? Made?

Neither, lightening struck a tree and they stepped out full grown without a navel.

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Permalink Reply by melissa versailles on December 18, 2010 at 5:23pm

Recruiting is sales. Although many sales processes are personality driven it does not mean that a strong recruiter person was born that way.

I do believe that some personalities are more inclined to recruiting. However, there are different styles and they all work. It doesn't matter if you are an introvert, extrovert, have a consultative approach, are aggressive, reserved, strong at building relationships...etc. Whoever you are if you truly understand your strengths and you develop them as well as become competent in your weaknesses you will shine as a recruiter.

When you are working within your strengths and develop a few sales skills along the way you will shine.

My theory, a recruiter is created with intent!

Rock it~

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Permalink Reply by C. B. Stalling!! on December 19, 2010 at 12:26pm

a recruiter is not made

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Permalink Reply by Thomas Patrick Chuna on December 20, 2010 at 9:22pm

I say recruiters are self - discovered.. you try recruiting for whatever reason, and it either hooks you and you have that "a - ha" moment, or it doesn't and you don't ever want anything to do with it again.. and it can hook you even if it's difficult at first. . I think that's when we are motivated to get better and inspired to work at being better..when something is difficult, yet captivating.

At least that's how it was for me...similarly, it's also how I progressed in the martial arts..I wanted to master something bad enough, it was worth getting my nose broken to get there...I didn't worry if I had any natural ability when I started, I was more concerned with developing what was there..over time, it just flows and is there when i want or need it..just like recruiting skills.

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Permalink Reply by Craig Silverman on December 21, 2010 at 2:27pm

I think some are born but recruiters can be made. With the right system/process in place, plus training & technology there are many people in the market who can be mentored to become great recruiters.

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Permalink Reply by Adam Bogren on December 22, 2010 at 5:48pm

A recruiter is born, and like you mentioned, maybe didn't KNOW recruiting was their path in life. Rayanne you also mentioned "I believe these three drivers must come together to build the perfect recruiter: desire, innate skill, and the ability to cull and learn the best recruitment practices." I completely agree! Recruiters must be able to connect to people and build lasting relationships. Not everyone has that DESIRE to meet tons and tons of people, nor do they posses the INNATE SKILLS to do so. Since recruiters deal with many different types of people, it is possible in theory then that any type of person would be able to be a recruiter and they would eventually just flock to people with similar personalities, but for the most part this isn't realistic.
Also, we are all born into sales because any position out there will require some form of it. Even if it is just selling yourself in a job interview. Throw it all together and even though someone could potentially be made into being a wonderful recruiter, for them to truly enjoy it and be successful they need to build upon what they were born to work with.

-Adam

http://about.me/AdamBogren

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Permalink Reply by Recruiting Animal on December 24, 2010 at 6:38am

Do people still say, "Give me a dingle."

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Permalink Reply by Sally Raade on December 24, 2010 at 1:07pm

Hi Melanie,

I agree with you- not everyone can do recruiting. It's an art and a passion. One must have the passion to do it and it takes practice to refine the craft.

Melanie Vienneau said:

Recruiting is sales. Although many sales processes are personality driven it does not mean that a strong recruiter person was born that way.

I do believe that some personalities are more inclined to recruiting. However, there are different styles and they all work. It doesn't matter if you are an introvert, extrovert, have a consultative approach, are aggressive, reserved, strong at building relationships...etc. Whoever you are if you truly understand your strengths and you develop them as well as become competent in your weaknesses you will shine as a recruiter.

When you are working within your strengths and develop a few sales skills along the way you will shine.

My theory, a recruiter is created with intent!

Rock it~

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Permalink Reply by NewRecruiter on December 30, 2010 at 2:34pm

Hah!

I completely identify with this! I've been in recruitment for two years, getting promoted to the front lines in Sourcing/ Talent Mapping (not bad for a guy "with a face made for the phone," - explanation coming soon!)

I came from sales into recruitment after getting my first "headhunted call"and feeling very flattered, I accepted the job instantly.

I was good at sales and after a knock of confidence in the form of redundancy and the above comment overheard about one of my team, this firm caught me off guard and with their proposal of "selling at a new level- to both customers and clients," it seemed like the perfect challenge! Which I seem to thrive in.

I digress.... apoligies,

The nature/ nuture argument is one i'm still seeking the answer to as I recently found out my estranged sister ( we've had no contact for three years ) has been enjoying a very successful career in recruitment!

I think I identify more with my prospective candidates, which has been the route to my success, and she agrees, we are both hugely empathetic characters that came from a working class background, what was it that lead us here?

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