Why a good recruiter is an authentic chameleon

An authentic chameleon

In the fast-paced world of recruitment, where the landscape constantly evolves, successful recruiters are akin to chameleons. “If I had to describe a good recruiter in one word, it would be an authentic chameleon. Much like a chameleon, recruiters need to be versatile and flexible, yet authentic in their approach. The essence of success for recruiters lies in embracing their inner chameleon, finding a balance between staying true to yourself and adapting to the ever-changing needs of clients, candidates and the context.”

A chameleon recruiter is not a mere shape-shifter, but a genuine and empathetic professional who adapts to different situations while staying true to their core values. “A good recruiter understands that success is not just about filling positions; it’s about nurturing relationships, understanding diverse perspectives and genuinely caring about the people you work with.”

Rise and shine

Louis’ unconventional career path led him from the legal world to film production and eventually into recruitment. “This atypical path shaped my soft skills and made sure that I was able to work in a team. Two very important parts of recruitment.”

After two years in finance recruitment, Louis switched to TriHD. “From the start, it was clear to me that I wanted to pursue a career in recruitment. During my projects at TriHD, I gained a lot of insights by observing, taking notes, documenting and analyzing. I worked for different departments which expanded my knowledge of diverse corporate profiles reaching from IT to finance, from engineering to sales. “As a recruiter, understanding the context and meeting your client’s needs are essential aspects. Next to that, a big portion of perceptiveness is also important, especially if the candidate doesn’t match with the profiles you are used to recruiting.”

Louis’ unwavering dedication to recruiting stems from his belief in the transformative power of finding the right job. “Recruitment is not just an administrative task, it’s a deeply personal journey where you guide individuals through the hiring process, recognizing unique skills, aspirations and personalities. Nothing is more fulfilling than knowing that someone you hired is happy in their job.”

Flourish and blossom

However, the misconception that long term growth within recruitment is impossible still lives vividly, but couldn’t be further from the truth. “If you want to blossom, you need room for growth. Professionals in recruitment can pursue diverse career avenues, such as HR Business Partner or Talent Acquisition Manager. My own path is definitely a good example to debunk the myth that progression within recruitment is limited and that you can keep on learning within recruitment as everyday, every human being and every recruitment process is different.”

Even within consultancy there are a lot of prejudices, which are often unjustified. “By working as a consultant at TriHD, you complete projects at different companies (midsize to international), get to know lots of people and thus build a large network at the same time. The biggest advantage for me personally of working as a consultant is the mental freedom. That ultimately gives you a broad objective view on the job market and a lot of know-how, which definitely comes in handy as a recruiter.”

Tips and tricks from an authentic chameleon

Louis’ tips and tricks on how to be the best version of yourself as a recruiter:

• Empathy and sincere listening: Understanding the candidates’ and business’ needs through empathetic listening forms the foundation of effective recruitment strategy.
• Company ambassadorship: As a recruiter, you are part of representing the company, as you often are the first point of contact for candidates, but also other (external) parties. It is important to know what your company stands for, in order to convey the company’s core values.
• Exceptional communication skills: You act as a pivotal communicator between candidates, external partners and the business itself, requiring clear and timely communication.
• Diplomacy: Recruitment is also a diplomatic issue. Effective communication requires thoughtful consideration of both the content and delivery of your message, especially when providing feedback to candidates who may find it challenging to receive. It’s essential to be mindful of what you say, how you say it, and to whom you address it.
• Eagerness to learn: Continuous learning about roles, industries and the market trends is essential. Dare to ask questions. Being curious will help you stay ahead.
• Process management: You have to monitor the recruitment process and make sure your candidate as well as your client are aligned in every step of this process.
• Assertiveness: Maintaining a good relationship with the business is fundamental. Understanding the needs and personalities of hiring managers as quickly as possible is key. Guiding, advising and sometimes contradicting them in a constructive and respectful way is essential for a good result. A healthy dose of assertiveness is therefore very important!

“Practice is the greatest teacher, something that also applies within recruitment. You can take courses to hone your skills on feedback and interview techniques, but always remember that recruiting is a practical profession rather than a theoretical one.”