I don't get a bonus and I love it!

Yesterday I went to another recruiter meeting, and it is nice to realize that some recruiters start to understand this simple message:

Don't start a headhunt, but put people to the forefront!

Such an approach is more relevant and healthy, for me and the candidate. I cannot understand why people have the drive to hire people to receive a bonus. So I started this article on my way back home to reflect upon it.

The story of a recruiter as a recruiter

Recruitment is a tough business. People do not trust you and many don't like your attitude. You are a stranger intruding into a natural mental alarm system of strangers. Sometimes, you act like James Bond and dodge this system, but this is rather an exception. Most recruiters I talk to receive a bonus for every successful hire. Sure, you get a bonus which represents the result of your hard effort. Obviously, it is good for your self-confidence and your ego. However, it slowly but surely makes you addicted to this bonus! You start to fake your personality to make yourself more attractive to potential candidates. You unconsciously start to lie to your candidates to get them on the hook. It is probably quite successful from time to time, but how do you feel? Do you feel happier with the bunch of bonuses you receive? Is it worth the countless disappointments and rejections? I doubt it!

The story of a recruiter as a human

Recruitment is a job that connects people. You interact with many people every single day. You hear their stories, background, even which computer games they are interested in! You develop many connections, but not because of a number, but because of the stories you hear and the people you meet! You are living the life of many and have the opportunity to leave your fingerprint on someone else's life. Hence, recruiters literally embody the term social butterfly!

Whenever a candidate expresses any form of disinterest for my positions, I tell myself: That's perfect, they are HAPPY! Whenever a candidate finds another position, I am delighted, wish them good luck, and offer to send them hot tips for the city they are moving to. But why would you do this? You are wasting your time and the time of candidates!

Contrary to many recruiters, I am using my time efficiently! I provide candidates a feeling of comfort, candidates know that they can always talk to me about everything. They ask me about the best ice cream shop in town or I tell them about my next vacation, once in while I even joke with them. Maybe one day they come back to me and ask me for a job, maybe not. Most important for me is that I left my fingerprint and live with my good deed.

I may be a recruiter, but primarily I am a human!