Since becoming a Legal Placement Consultant or what is more commonly known as a recruiter, I am frequently amazed at the different looks of disgust and shame people greet me with. It seems to be that the mere question of “what do you do for a living,” is a gateway to judgment and sometimes contempt.
While I had always heard the stereotypes about recruiters, I have become part of an incredibly caring and professional group of individuals since joining the fast-paced industry. Despite my parent’s horror at the idea of their smart college grad becoming a recruiter, I think I have learned more in my first six months than many of my peers learn in a lifetime. As a recruiter, I have seen and dealt with people at both rock bottom and on top of the mountain; these are some of the things that I have learned to keep in mind.
- Humility vs. Pride– This is a big problem in any industry and, frankly, a big problem with my generation. For so many years, we are told to be humble, that self-praise is only a step away from arrogance. I see this all the time with candidates who come to me after years and years of successful careers. They begin to apply for anything because that is the humble thing to do. When did we stop teaching people that it is ok to be proud? A graduate who was the first in their family to graduate college should scream that from the rooftops because they aren’t just another resume. Pride can be dangerous, but pride also leads to self-confidence, something so many of us come out short on.
- The Danger of Attachment– Anyone who is a recruiter will know the soul-crushing feeling that accompanies a client’s decision to turn down one of your favorite candidates. It is simply human nature to get attached. While I would never encourage anyone to cut off all attachments, the way we handle attachments says a lot about who we are as people. We tend to get attached to things that are comfortable. Your favorite pair of underwear isn’t your favorite because it is the best; it is your favorite because you have worn them so often they have become baggy and comfortable. Getting attached isn’t bad, but how we handle attachment can change everything.
- The Sky Isn’t Falling– Being a recruiter, you are forced to quickly get used to the “chicken littles” of the world. We all know these people. They are your friends, family, colleagues, etc., who always believe that the world is coming to an end because of X, Y, and Z. There are two things to always remember when dealing with people. One, the whole world may not be coming to an end, but for an individual, their world is. Even the most selfless people in history (I’m looking at you, Gandhi) had to consider things in the framework of their lives. Think about it this way as the famous quote says, “to the world you are one person, but to a person, you are the world.” Second, to me, this is the most important, we as people live in the moment. I am a planner; every step of my day is planned out down to the minute. However, the moment something goes wrong, my whole schedule disappears. Don’t be so quick to dismiss a “chicken little,” because when the sky is falling, you may be the one ally they have
- Everyone Has a Story– This one may seem a bit obvious, but it is essential not only for my job but to being just a good person. You would be amazed at the types of people I meet every day. From the classical pianist with a law degree to the Belarusian rebel who is escaping a violent dictator, everyone has a story. Unfortunately, for so many of us, we become so wrapped up in our own lives that instead of seeing the world as a weaving tapestry, we only see it like trains moving on a track, always passing but never meeting. Trust me, this isn’t a love your neighbor kind of article, but I can tell you that the last time someone cut in front of me trying to get on the subway, I was able to stop myself from cursing like a real New Yorker.
- It Takes a Village– In full disclosure, the mature, professional young writer/recruiter is only 60% of who I am; the other 40% is thanks to the team I get to work with. As I tell people in interviews, you will never find a more professional and dedicated group of crazy people in the world. No matter if we call them our family, village, squad, besties, or crew, the people who support us determine so much of who we are. We fail to realize that not everyone has a village, or sometimes the village looks to them for guidance. When was the last time you acknowledged your village? If you can’t remember, stop reading and make a dinner reservation, hate to say it you are paying. Being a recruiter means that I am in the business of people. While most of my generation will spend the day sending emails or posting tweets, I spend every day from 9-6 on the phone. Sometimes my conversations are great and positive; other times, they are sad and quiet, but more commonly, they are angry and desperate. Trust me, I’m no guru, but this business has taught me to think about the world in a whole new way.
Solomon Communication 