Recruiter, recruiter… where art thou recruiter?

When I started in recruitment back in 2007, I was surrounded by ambitious, driven, eager consultants of all ages, levels and backgrounds. All were keen to make their mark and strive to become the most successful, and most respected within their chosen field… Fast forward to 2019 and it seems that this same ambition has evaded most recruiters I have met with in Asia.

MCG&Co is hiring across all 3 offices (Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore) and we will be expanding across Europe and Australia in 2020… We need to identify future consultants and leaders ASAP.

If you want to be a part of a young, driven, very successful (not to mention award winning) team then read on. Here are my thoughts on what makes a good recruiter and what I look for in people who want to be a part of the MCG& family.

-      Can do attitude. Obvious yes, but something that seems lacking in most recruiters. Come to us with ideas not problems. We will help and invest time in you if we can see that you are hungry and eager to learn.

-      Hard work. Recruitment isn’t a 9-5 job. Many of our clients and candidates work long hours. We don’t expect you to be at your desk until midnight but getting in before 9am and wrapping up at 7pm is commonplace. Being accessible in the evenings and the weekends for the odd call, email, etc. is only going to help you to be more successful.

-      Smart. And I don’t mean you need to have a PHD... I need you to be ‘street smart’. Have the ability to read people and understand client’s needs. When you should push for something you believe in, and when you should bite your tongue and learn to let it go.

-      Questioning. A key part of this job is acting like a detective. Question everything. "Why, who, where, when" etc. The more information you hold the better the chance you have of deciding if you should or shouldn’t work on a role, or with someone.

-      Advising. The more senior you become the more information you absorb and become privy to. Becoming more than ‘just a recruiter' to clients is key. It is important that clients and candidates see you as a strategic advisor to their needs and where you can offer up impartial, educated and informed intel.

-      Speed. Speed is key. In a world where everything is moving faster and faster you need to do the same. Urgency is the key to success in 2019 / 2020.

-      Volume vs. Quality. These rarely go hand in hand and isn’t easy to achieve. Volume is key to making sure as many bases as possible are covered and that you are talking to as many people as possible. You then define who you send to the client based on a short list that you have collected thus ensuring the quality. Speak to 10 people and shortlist 5? No, speak to 30 and shortlist 5.

-      Be honest. Honesty and integrity are two of MCG&'s founding principles. It's imperative that you are both honest to your candidates, clients, your peers and yourself. This is a trait that will stand you in good stead – no matter what industry you work in.

-      Have an opinion! No one wants a ‘yes-man’. Have an opinion. Make sure however if you voice it - you back it up. Have rationale behind your argument and learn to know when to back down. It’s impossible to be right all the time.  

-      Money motivated? This isn’t essential at all – but it helps. It helps to have financial goals in life that keep you motivated to work hard, close deals, have happy candidates and clients and enjoy repeat success. New car? Saving for a house? All are achievable if you put your mind to it.

So, if you think you have what it takes, and you feel inspired to want to be a part of our future drop me an email… I’d love to hear from you. [email protected]