When it comes down to getting the word out about an open position, what is the best practice? As an In-House/Corporate Recruiter or HR Professional, do you rely on current employee incentives to drive interest or garner candidates? Do you utilize job boards, your own or otherwise? Do you engage with search firms or third-party recruiters? Do you tweet? Do you email blast? Do you maintain a database of past applicants/candidates? Have you invested time in establishing and maintaining good relationships with your Hiring Managers? Do you have a melt-down on Friday because the Organic Chemist position is still unfilled?

How about if you run an Executive Search Firm or are a Third-Party of Contract Recruiter? A CDM or CRM is imperative but are you diligent about its upkeep? Are you meticulous when it comes to follow-through with both clients and candidates? Do you post on job boards? Do you tweet? How do you source new clients? Do you attend or exhibit at conferences specific to your niche? Do you advertise? Do you update and distribute marketing materials? Are you thorough when starting up a search, harvesting as much information and specifics as possible? Do you work at maintaining relationships with the clients and hiring managers?

So much to do in so little time. Finding the best practices for your organization and team can be difficult but not impossible. Keeping solid metrics to measure efficiency and validity will help ascertain whether or not to continue those practices. Taking advantage of social media seems to be the modern solution to all problems, but is it, truly? It seems like the more we interact online the less we interact over the phone or in person. Using excuses like, "I sent an email," instead of picking up the phone are becoming more and more prevalent.

Last night I attended a networking event that I found out about through a LinkedIn group to which I belong. It turned out to not be a very interesting event with about 75-80 people present. It was held at the bar/patio of a very nice hotel/sport club about forty-five minutes from my home. This could have been a shot-gun, speed dating-esque event but I decided, once I arrived, that I needed to focus and really connect with just one or two attendees. A human touch, if you will. And that is exactly what I did. I scoped the patio and immediately connected with two people I had never met; I spent the next hour and a half talking and brainstorming with these two individuals who just happened to be HR Professionals.

Selecting a course, sticking with it, learning about others, taking the time to bond, making connections, truly networking: all this is not easy. It takes time, patience, diligence, and an open mind. But the pay-off is huge.

The human touch - it might not be what closes that first deal but it is what closes the second and third.


by rayannethorn