Money was never a big motivation for me, except as a way to keep score. The real excitement is playing the game. (Trump)
Many recruiting offices have a button that rings a bell. You can only push the button when you make a placement. Some recruiters live only to press that button. When they do press it, they keep their finger down for a full minute. It drives everyone else nuts….with envy. Recruiters are competitive people.
Placing someone in a job motivates recruiters. Sure recruiters want money. That is not their base motivation. Their whole job is centered on making placements.
Want to motivate a recruiter? Convince them they can place you quickly.
Some things that help:
- A great resume showing accomplishments, not responsibilities
- A positive attitude
- Talents that are in strong demand
- Winning interview skills
- Reasonable salary expectations
- Motivation to take a new job
- Little job hunting done on your part already
- A list of companies you would like to work for
- An exclusive relationship with the recruiter
- Your spouse and kids back you in the move
- Willingness to relocate or commute
- Ability to interview at a moment’s notice
- Great references that can be checked immediately or that are already on LinkedIn
- A current job
If you bring me all of the things above, I will start salivating. I will drop everything I am doing and find you a job. So will any other recruiter worth his salt. With that list, you should find a recruiter who will market you. Get his commitment to report back how his marketing is going. If he won’t commit, he is the wrong recruiter.
The way to motivate a recruiter is to be a great candidate. If you have a motivated recruiter, soon you’ll have a new job.
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Something To Do Today
Go back over that list. Can you figure out how to line up more of those things for your next job hunt? Ask a recruiter for his honest opinion, “How marketable am I and what can I do to make myself irresistible to you?”