A Second Glance At Your Best Lead Generating Sources.

Recruitment networking is the process of connecting and meeting with people who are potential employees and/or future lead generators. It would be nice if every person you speak with in your business day fit nicely into either of these two categories but realistically that seldom happens. Logically then we should try to find ways to increase our chances of connecting with these people and maximizing our time and rewards. Where do we begin?

Look in the mirror. That's right, recruiters are the best lead generators but how often do we tap into our peers for help? I'm not suggesting one push work onto junior recruiters or researchers since that is most likely their role. Select the searches that you know will be toughest to fill, as they demand the most of you, and invite one or two other good recruiters that you trust and can rely on for help into the process. Don't make it seem as if you're dumping the job on their lap because it has frustrated you and now it's crunch time. If they're good at what they do they'll be busy and won't give your order but a glimpse of attention. Extend the order and give them a lead or two as incentive to get started. If you devote a fraction of the time that you spend searching for candidates towards getting to know other recruiters in your field, you'll develop relationships that will begin to pay off time after time over the long haul.

Satisfied placements. If you've made a good match between employer and employee follow up on your placement. Everyone appreciates and remembers a person who has helped improve their situation. Generally speaking sharp people tend refer sharp people. This doesn't mean you should start hammering them for referrals the day they start with your client. Make sure you treat them right throughout the entire search process as they'll be assessing your professionalism along the way. You never know if or when that person will become your client contact. After the placement follow up with phone calls every couple of months to see how they're doing. Your continued rapport building combined with the fact that they'll feel less emotionally tied to their former organization is a recipe for endless referrals.

Clients. How many times have you taken a job order and not asked the client where they think their first choice would come from? Your clients know their business better than you do and they constantly interact with people in the industry. Sometimes they know their competitors strengths and weaknesses better than their competitors know themselves. It would be great but unlikely that they'll produce names for you but they can usually point you to companies that are rich in the areas that you should be looking for people. That could save you a lot of time and time is money. Good colleagues are rarley forgotten. Ask if they can refer employees of their previous employer(s). If you are restricted to dealing directly with HR try to get permission to speak with hiring mangers directly. You will learn a lot more about your search and add a few more contacts to your preferred list.

Associations. No, I'm not talking about paying a membership fee in exchange for a directory but I'm sure that could help in the short term. Firstly, become a member in an association related to the profession type that you recruit. Get involved by offering free advice to members about your expertise in their field. Offer to be a guest speaker at meetings or contribute to the organization's newsletter on topics like career networking, how to write a better resume, how to plan a career strategy, and so on. I know recruiters who have been handed membership lists for performing such acts. There is much more to gain than just a list of names. Trust! The people you meet are not just names they're lead generators and if they believe in you you've earned an endless supply of contacts; so treat them right.

Last but not least, the Internet. It's never been easier to tap into all of the possibilities discussed above and more. At this point in time almost every large to medium sized business and organization has an Internet presence. It's up to you to learn how to navigate the Net for research and networking purposes. Check out the resouces avialable to you at http://www.recruiterscafe.com/recrutier resources.htm. Important! When you find someone you want to make contact with do it in person. Most networkers are more effective speakers than they are writers and in the e-age a voice carries a lot more sincerity than an email. Nelson Abreu