Engaging Potential Candidates

I have a young friend that is a recruiter (with about 10 years experience) that at least 4 times a year buys me lunch and hammers me for information on being a better recruiter - he worked several years in a big box firm that had no formal training. He seems to think because I have clients that work with only me and candidates that tell me everything that I am a f******g legend (his words, not mine). I am no legend - not even that good as a recruiter
I finally asked him the last time we got together “What three questions can I answer for you that will most help you in gaining the knowledge you need to take your practice to the next level or higher.
Here are his three questions:

1. How do you go about prospecting for candidates?
2. What is your best approach to contact candidates and start the foundation for a strong relationship?
3. How can I map out my practice to candidates I’ve never met to show them I am different than other recruiters?

Well, I have written a blog about this and I am going to share my thoughts on February 13th. I am leaving today – in an hour – for a week long cruise to Aruba and Curacao and some extra time today and after in Florida seeing friends.
I ask all you at RecruitingBlogs, how would you answer his questions and is he thinking about it the wrong way?

I look forward to reading your answers when I get back – I promised my husband that I would not work on this vacation. I hope I can keep my promise!

Comment by Sandra McCartt on March 2, 2012 at 9:07am: Have a good trip Cora. To me these three questions are really one question. I worry about anyone with 10 years as a recruiter asking how to find, talk to and build a relationship with candidates.

Comment by Kelly Blokdijk on March 2, 2012 at 2:35pm: Ditto! I would turn the questions back to them and ask them what they think the core competencies of a successful recruiter are... And, ask them to define what the job entails in an ideal best case scenario for a top performer. Based on that (plus your wisdom) they should end up with some clarity.

Training or not, 10 years is a long time to be unaware of proper techniques involved in what they do for a living. That statement kind of proves the point that # of years of experience is pointless if someone is only accumulating experience doing something poorly.