You're a recruiting professional who's an introvert. How can you make meaningful connections with others?

Introverts get a bad rap especially in Recruitment and communication heavy roles. Everyone thinks they don't like to talk when that couldn't be further from the truth. As an introverted recruiter, your strengths lie in intentionality and valuing quality over quantity in relationships. Your deep listening skills and thoughtful analysis allow you to understand candidates and clients profoundly. Use these traits to create personalized, meaningful interactions. Share your insights and knowledge, emphasizing the importance of well-thought-out communication. Remember, your introversion is a superpower in forging trust-based, impactful professional connections. Embrace it to build fewer, but stronger and more significant relationships

The question itself can be a bit misleading. Being an introvert doesn't mean one lacks assertiveness or the ability to make meaningful connections. In fact, active listening is a crucial skill in recruitment, and there's wisdom in being an introvert in this field. Listen to learn. In today's digital age, where communication often happens online, introverts can excel. By being intuitive, balanced in feelings and thinking, and judging situations objectively, you can build authentic and meaningful connections with candidates and clients. So, embrace your introverted strengths and continue to excel in the recruitment world. If you have any specific questions or need further advice, feel free to ask - I'm 75% introverted but 100% assertive!

Throughout my career journey, I saw most of the introvert people are more thoughtful and deep thinkers and they can understand the root of the problem quite easily. These traits help them to find out the inner strength of the candidate but for introverts, it is sometimes difficult to express their opinions more openly which makes it challenging for them to reach the goal. To overcome this dilemma they can build some habits of expressing their ideas for example they can practice journaling their success, showcasing their achievement and sharing it with the community.

I've worked with many recruiters and TA professionals who would describe themselves as introverts and quite often they have been some of the most competent recruiters I've had the pleasure in working with. Which makes sense if you think about some of the typical traits we see in introverts; good listeners, reflective and independent workers. Having said that in answer to the original question (and my advice would be similar to extroverts too) 'be interested, not interesting'. Taking an active interest in someone and not making the conversation about you is one of the best ways to form deep connections

Introverts actually make some of the best recruiters. Instead of trying to be outgoing, lean on the skills you have. If you are creative, then use that creativity to craft awesome campaigns with visuals and written language. If you are analytical, showcase your research and fall on quantitative data. If you are introspective, use that empathy to craft amazing experiences. Use your superpowers.

I’m definitely an introvert, but as a recruiter I turn on the extrovert side when talking to my candidates and collaborating with my team. I truly believe folks some who say they are introverts are labeled incorrectly. I’m a great listener, and I love doing what’s best for my candidates also my team so just like anyone else I have layers. I know I also am drained being around a lot of personalities nonstop and need to recharge my social battery.

Being an introvert has not condemned you to a last-place start in the recruitment race. On the contrary, you have just started with a different pre-requisite set of skills. Generally speaking, this means you have innate skills in, active listening, observation, productivity in solitude, and independence. 1. Become an expert in your field & conduct your deep research. 2. Build deep relationships with your ability to listen and understand. 3. In interviews/interactions, favor asking quality questions, observe the answer and follow up. Funnily enough, you will find that people will naturally gravitate towards other people who feel authentic and "real". Don't feel the need to act more "extroverted". Be you, and leverage your strengths.

Introversion doesn't mean that someone is a poor communicator. It is often that a person who is an introvert is a more thoughtful communicator who takes time to trust and prefers deeper connections. Introverts are often excellent listeners - this might come from not talking all the time! Taking the time to listen to what is both said and unsaid is where a superpower lies.

I don't believe you need to be an 'extrovert' to be a good recruiter. I would say 'introverts' often excel in active listening. A great recruiter will use this skill during conversations to understand candidates’ needs, motivations, and career goals and clients requirements around skill, personality and culture fit By demonstrating genuine interest, you can build rapport and trust with candidate and client alike.

Being Introvert, doesn't hinder one's capacity to make meaningful connection. Being Genuine, active listening, empathy and having a genuine interest in understanding other person's interest area and past achievements makes you a successful recruiter. That results in getting genuine and meaningful connections. Also, be consistent in communication - share the feedback with the candidates candidly.

My best networking tip. I always speak to people standing on their own. You remember what it was like walking into a crowded room and not knowing anybody? It is daunting. It doesn’t matter who you are. So I walk up to somebody on their own and introduce myself. If they don’t know anyone they are greatly relieved. Once we are talking, I wait for someone to walk by who is also on their own and invite them to join us. I then introduce myself and my new best friend to the third person. By acting as a host, I take control of an uncomfortable situation. Not only can I assure you that this works, I can tell you I have met some amazing people along the way and made good friends. Try it, people will like you for it. The more you do it, the easier.

Take an improv class! I’ve been practicing and teaching improv for years. I’ve seen anxiety, stress, insecurity melt away from everyone in the class. As a recruiter, improv skills give you the confidence to speak to anyone, work any room, and tell any story. You can prepare and memorize all you want, but if you lack confidence no one is going to buy it.

Let's face it, recruiting is a job that requires a lot of talking. This can cause many to become nervous or anxious, particularly those who just started their careers. To overcome this, delve deeper into the profile of the candidates you speak with. Find similarities to them, even if it is something simple like a hobby you noticed in their resume. These small things build rapport and make conversations flow more naturally, instead of simply practicing a script.

Having an introduction & closing rehearsed makes it helpful to get the conversation started and ended smoothly. Repetition and time will make it natural and comfortable. Always ask your candidate to share their high-level introduction as well as it starts off the conversation in a two-way fashion. Having a prepared list of questions you need to ask and including open ended questions, helps keep the conversation flowing.

Busque conhecimento e se prepare para o momento. Acredito que ter conhecimento sobre o assunto/vaga, ficaremos mais seguros com o bate papo, até porque em alguns casos, não lidamos bem com improvisos.

Stay informed about industry trends, recruiting techniques, and technology. Also, be sure to develop strong interview questions and come prepared. Being knowledgeable in your field can boost your confidence and effectiveness as a Recruiter. Consider shadowing extroverts to pick up on tips and tricks. At the end of the day though, you want to stay authentic.

We tend to forget that introverts often establish deeper connections through quality conversations versus quantity of interactions. than the breadth of interactions. However, starting a conversation while focusing on learning about the other person can allow the introvert to observe and make the other person open up about themselves, also prepare an open-ended kind of questions too can allow the recruiter listen more and less aware about themselves

When I go to conferences and events for business development and candidate networking, I spend two weeks leading up to it by researching and connecting with other attendees using LinkedIn and my other networking resources. I'm able to schedule meetings in advance and have a clear plan of who I'm meeting and why. I make sure I don't book anything back to back so I have time to grab a cup of coffee or water and process everything in between meetings. The more prepared I am with meetings on my calendar, the less pressure I feel to "network" with strangers. And if I'm on the road, I hide in my room and order room service for dinner! ;)

As a seasoned recruiter, and an introvert, I find we can actually bring a lot of value by listening. When screening and interviewing, I love to hear and learn about my candidates through what they communicate. I provide prompts that allow for candidates to really paint a picture of their career story. In turn, this helps me discern if the candidate will be a good match.

As a Recruiter who is an "Introverted Extrovert," I would say embrace the introvert in you! Not that this cannot be true for all personality types, but introverts have some superpowers that definitely provide some leverage as a Recruiter. Introverts tend to be great listeners and observers, picking up on the nuances and body language that, at times could be overlooked. As a result, you could be in a great position to ask some empathetic, discerning, and insightful questions that get to the core of how people feel whether it's the Hiring Manager, Interviewing Team, or Candidates.

As a recruiter, you have many communications channels at your disposal. Find what makes you most comfortable with reaching candidates and go from there. If the candidate is passive, I find cold calling the candidate directly and leaving a text message most efficient. However, if the candidate is active, you may find it easier to email or text to set up your initial phone screenings.

As a recruiter who was introverted before entering the industry, I personally leaned on the "building relationships" and "caring" element of recruitment. Being in a sales or recruitment environment as an introvert can be an incredible blessing - it allows you to stretch your wings and engage in aspects you never saw yourself being good at! Plus, the best recruiters are introverts because usually introverts have high EQ and observation tactics, we know the best people and we know what they need.

You don't have to go to every event. Take note of the questions and topics your community is talking about and find events that focus on that area. I specialise in the recruitment of HR professionals and a hot topic this year will be the use of AI in our profession. I will be seeking out events that will build knowledge in that area so I can provide valuable insights and help my community of HR professionals!

Today, being an introvert recruiter is easier than ever. I, myself, am an ambivert and focus more on quality over quantity. In today's remote work culture, effective communication with candidates through platforms like LinkedIn, telephone, emails, and virtual methods is crucial. Also, mastering the art of negative selling is essential for accurately assessing a candidate's suitability for a role. Exhibiting these communication strategies empowers introverted recruiters to navigate the evolving landscape of talent acquisition successfully.

Busque conhecimento, estudo sobre a posição e faça perguntas ao responsável da vaga como se fosse candidato, esses pontos pode auxiliar na assertividade e isso vale para todos, não somente para os introvertidos. Escolha onde investir sua energia.

I find that I can effectively handle just one networking event per week. The brief and casual conversations with little substance tend to be quite draining for me, so I appreciate the emphasis on cultivating meaningful connections with a select few individuals rather than spreading oneself too thin. The advice about choosing communication channels aligned with personal preferences, such as email or LinkedIn, is practical. It aligns well with maintaining a balance between professional networking and preserving one's well-being, an important consideration for individuals in our line of work.

Ich kenne einen großartigen Recruiter, der anders als viele andere in unserem Berufsfeld recht ruhig ist... und sich deshalb auf die wichtigsten Beziehungen zu Kandidaten/Kunden fokussiert, die genauso committed sind wie er - Kein großes "Sales-Geschwafel" oder sonstiges und damit fährt er seit über einem Jahrzehnt sehr erfolgreich. Cold-Calling oder sonstiges hat er noch nie in seiner selbstständigen Karriere betrieben, von daher will ich durch diese Anekdote jeden Recruiter/TA Manager bestärken, der keine "Rampensau" ist --> Success comes from the inside!

As an introverted talent sourcer, I keep it simple. Instead of spreading myself thin, I dive deep into each candidate's profile. This approach not only suits my introverted style but also makes the recruitment process smoother. By focusing on meaningful connections, I ensure better matches and successful placements.

As a recruiter, being an introvert will be a major challenge. It's important to have the ability to deal different attitudes and personalities. To solve this, it's important to make time for self-care every day. It's crucial to prioritize the hours you spend recharging. Initially, aim to balance the time you spend socializing with the time you spend as an introvert. Eventually, it will become a regular practice, and you will find it easier to socialize and stay connected with candidates.

Blocking out periods of time to be reflective and quiet are very important as an introvert! Also make a note of the time or times of day when you are generally more outgoing than others, when your energy levels are higher. These are the best times to set for outbound communications.

As a young professional navigating the corporate world as an ambivert, setting boundaries posed a challenge due to societal expectations. The drain from constant interactions with candidates and colleagues left me fatigued at the end of the day. Recognizing your energy limit and adopting a healthy management approach is key. Schedule dedicated time for admin tasks, strategically withdrawing from social interactions. This practice preserves energy, ensuring sustained vitality throughout the day.

Self-care and listening to your body when you start to feel burnt out. The need to recharge can sneak up on you. Having routines that include something you love to do, whether that be exercising, reading a book, or creating art, is so powerful to your overall happiness and how you show up every day.

Pace yourself! I've once booked 8 session x 30 min of interview calls back to back and found myself very drain from work. Have breaks in between your interviews/calls. This allow you to work on administrative matters such as writing scorecard, planning for next interview calls and other recruiter duties required in your role!

It's important to manage your time. As an introvert, you might encounter tough situations and attitudes. During those situations, it can become a task to maintain your cool. Having a proper schedule will help you recharge yourself. Always take notes, Plan your day, take breaks whenever needed, and most importantly, set your boundaries. Take care of your mental health by exercising meditation and doing things that make you happy.

Knowing when to take a break is key. When feeling overwhelmed, it's beneficial to step away for a few minutes to recharge and collect your thoughts. It allows for an opportunity to regain energy, reduce stress, and approach an interaction with a refreshed mindset. Whether finding a quiet corner, taking a short walk, or simply stepping outside, the goal is to create a moment of solitude and mental rest.

Enfrentar el reclutamiento siendo introvertido requiere una gestión cuidadosa del tiempo. Establecer límites claros para las interacciones sociales es esencial para evitar agotamiento. Programar tiempos específicos para las tareas de reclutamiento y momentos de descanso ayuda a mantener un equilibrio saludable. Además, asignar tiempo para actividades introvertidas, como investigación en línea y evaluación de perfiles, permite contribuir significativamente al proceso sin sentirse abrumado por la interacción constante.

Regardless one is an introvert or extrovert, the real question is how do we recharge as recruiters . We are in a very social type of function and of course just as customer service it can be draining at times when the workload is at its peak and pressures comes from different ways (add to that if you cover several countries and you have to deal with cultural aspects and difference in communication). Personally I often jokingly say to Hiring Managers that we are not Heart Surgeons as in nobody’s life is at stake. This weirdly allows them to lower the scale of the pressure for themselves. Then making recruitment a collaboration with the business rather than a solo burden for a recruiter is also crucial as you bear the challenge altogether.

Balancing time is very important, learning when you need a break, as well as the amount of time needed between calls/meetings to process the information. This helps to avoid feeling overwhelmed. by taking time after each call/meeting to review notes to "close the chapter" and download the information, and then prepare for the next meeting.

There are plenty of helpful forums and spaces online for individuals looking for support. If you find yourself looking inward and needing to recharge from a very people-centric profession, I believe reading and taking time to interact online could be a great option that also protects your peace and energy.

As a recruitment business owner I find that leaning into the wider team and asking for perspective really useful, letting go of the pride and asking for help always sets me free from overwhelm and stress.

Have weekly meetings with your recruitment team to share about your challenges and hiring profile if need be. Your other recruiters may also share similar candidates to you and it helps to build connection amongst recruiters. From time to time, switch portfolios with different recruiter to hire different profile (white collar workers to blue collar workers if your company has both) so that you get a total recruitment experience and knowledge about your company better!

Seeking support is a strength in recruiting. Collaborate with colleagues, mentors, and communities to gain valuable advice and feedback. Joining networks of like-minded recruiters provides a platform for shared experiences and collaboration. Identify introverted role models or mentors in the field, learning from their success strategies and insights. Building a supportive network enhances professional growth and resilience.

It may not always be easy to find internal support especially if your line manager or colleagues don’t quite understand what introversion means and targets are a priority. But knowing the strengths that you bring to the role - being a deep listener, strong interview and follow up question skills for example - can enable you to shine. This is being your own inner support buddy. It’s about knowing yourself. How you then communicate about your needs or something that happened could be more productive. Externally, take ownership - coaches, mentors, trusted friends can offer support that helps you to achieve your personal or career goals in a way that aligns with who you are. I put myself out there and now speak publicly on a weekly basis!

The Support I sought was SOCIAL MEDIA! Being an Introvert, I leveraged digital platforms for networking. Social media, professional networking sites, and email were effective tools for initiating and maintaining connections as I felt more comfortable in expressing myself by written communication.

Reconocer la importancia del apoyo emocional y profesional es crucial para el éxito en el reclutamiento como introvertido. Buscar mentores o colegas con experiencias similares brinda una red de apoyo valiosa. Participar en grupos o comunidades en línea dedicados al reclutamiento permite compartir ideas y estrategias. El apoyo no solo ofrece perspectivas útiles sino que también fomenta un sentido de comunidad, ayudando a superar los desafíos asociados con la naturaleza introvertida.

I agree with this my network of recruiters add amazing value to my career. Both those inside and outside my organisation it is great to see others approach, technique and opinion and allows me to look more holistically at my role, career and the service I provide.

In the journey of making meaningful connections as an introverted recruiting professional, "seeking support" is like acknowledging that you don't have to go at it alone. It's about tapping into the wealth of knowledge and experience around you—whether that's seeking advice from more outgoing colleagues, forming mentorship relationships, or fostering connections within your professional community. It's not a sign of weakness but a recognition that collaboration and shared insights can be incredibly valuable. By seeking support, you're not just building your network but also creating a space for personal and professional growth through the collective wisdom of those around you.

It's incorrect to assume that an introvert won't make good connections with candidates and hiring managers. Just because I'm an introvert doesn't mean I can't talk to people or build trust and rapport with candidates and hiring managers. It just means that all that relationship building and those conversations I am having will drain me, so I'll need some time to recharge my batteries. While an extrovert is maybe having high-energy interactions, spending a lot of time talking, I am spending more time listening to my candidates, asking probing questions about what drives them, giving them a thoughtful overview of my role or company, so I can find out what it's going to take to entice them here.

While I cannot speak directly to this topic as I’m not an introvert, I have led several great ones over the years. Here is what I’ve learned and observed: 1) Introverts can be very powerful interviewers. They tend to be better natural listeners. 2) Introverts can establish strong connections. I’ve observed a high degree of empathy. 3) Introverts, at least some of them, can attend job fairs as a recruiter and meet 100’s of candidates during the event. They just might be even more exhausted after it is over. If you are an introvert, you can and should still strive to become a highly successful recruiter!

I think a big takeaway here should be that no two individuals are the same. I manage a recruiting team and everyone of my reports is very different, but that is what makes them special. Understanding your own style and capitalizing on it, regardless of how introverted or extraverted you are, is what makes someone a good recruiter. That and a lot of hard work!

The simplistic dichotomy of 'introverts vs extroverts' fails to capture the complexity and richness of human personalities. Labeling someone as an 'introvert' implies a preference for deep, meaningful conversations with a few individuals, while being an 'extrovert' suggests a tendency towards more superficial interactions in larger groups. However, this binary view overlooks the nuanced spectrum of social behaviors that individuals exhibit. People can display traits of both introversion and extroversion depending on the context, their mood, and the people they are interacting with. Furthermore, it's important to acknowledge that human communication is multifaceted and can't be limited to these two categories.

As an extroverted introvert, (INTJ) it can sometimes be difficult to find the energy for my job in sales, with it being so heavily "people focused". However, it has allowed me to be able to form deeper connections with individuals I choose to spend my time with. I find it important to ask many questions and try to find connections where possible with everyone I meet with. Being an extroverted introvert (especially as an INTJ) can provide you with a competitive advantage over your peers at times due to the increased ability to listen, build connections, have empathy, and think deeply/analyze all sides or aspects to a situation to find solutions or potential avenues the other individual has not thought of.

Introverts are usually thoughtful, introspective and self-reflective. As we communicate with candidates and clients, the ability to listen deeply, to process the other party’s concerns and pain-points (both spoken and unspoken) allows us to connect meaningfully (as opposed to superficially). Self- reflection after a failed placement or a crappy quarter is a powerful tool which I find very empowering and allows us to claim ownership of our performance or lack of.

Being an introvert in the field of recruitment is quite the challenge. There are different degrees of introversion and some may find themselves challenged in different social situations. However, it doesn't need to be this way. Leverage your analytical skills and partnerships with others to your advantage. Hone your social skills and find your voice. Do this, and you may find yourself easily outperforming your extraverted peers.

Being an introvert can be a challegne but its not that you cannot overcome it. You need to observe and communicate. People do understand and help you go through the "up freezing phase". Never lose heart and don't be too fast to jump to conclusions.

Recruiting is not all about you. It's about the other person. I have seen too many recruiters who are talking too much and not letting the other person answer properly. You need to ask a lot and say little. It doesn't matter if you are an introvert, you will still get the job done because you will let the other person shine and you will get the best out of them.

Under no circumstance make yourself uncomfortable by accepting anything you wouldn’t normally. You are your best self when you are prepared, understand the role you need (and want) to play, and can express what you feel you want to in the moment or later. Being true to yourself means that you will sometimes pick up on cues others may miss. Those cues could make all the difference to making or breaking someone’s career opportunity. You play such a crucial role and don’t you forget your super powers in the midst of noise!