Recruiter Career Development Planning

 Whether you are an independent recruiter working from a home office, or a seasoned professional working at one of the top firms, failing to have a recruiter career development plan in place will mean that eventually, you’ll get left in the dust. In order to stay on top of your game and advance in position or earnings, you have to continually challenge yourself to do more, and do it better than your competition.

You may have assisted candidates with career development planning as part of your recruiting efforts. We all know that guiding a candidate to see the big picture, and how your client can help them meet their long-term goals, is one of the best ways to secure a placement and avoid the dreaded fall-offs. But as a recruiter, you should be also be looking at the big picture that is your career.

The first step in laying out your plan should be a thorough assessment of your skills and weaknesses. Think about the last four or five deals you could not close. Where did things go wrong? Perhaps you were not fast enough in your recruiting efforts, and another firm snagged the top candidate before you. Perhaps you lacked the industry knowledge to “talk the talk” and get the contract with a potential client company signed. Make a list of the things that could have saved the day as a starting point for your planning.

There are dozens of planning and goal setting websites out there to keep you organized and hold you accountable for your growth. Look at your list and make a few goals based on your shortcomings. For example, if you missed out on the top candidate, set a goal of building a network of 10 new contacts in your niche per month so you can be the early-bird when someone starts exploring new opportunities. If you lack industry knowledge, set a goal of attending two industry related functions or reading a few industry publications per month to bring you up to speed. Whatever you lack, develop a clearly outlined plan to overcome the obstacles that stood in your way.

Even common sense goals such as increasing earnings or number of clients in your portfolio are easier to achieve when they are documented and presented to you daily in a way that holds you accountable for your success. Goal setting and planning website such as Goal for It are community based, and allow you choose to keep your goals and to-do lists personal or make them public. When displayed publically, you can get support and encouragement from others also working toward their short and long-term professional goals.

The recruiter career path is unlike any other profession. Rarely is there a clearly outlined plan for advancement. To increase earnings or seniority, only you have the power to find creative ways to challenge yourself to do more, and do it better, than your competition.