Ah, the world of talent acquisition — often perceived as straightforward and simple by those on the outside world. But as we at Jigsaw People Solutions know all too well, the reality is anything but. It’s a profession rich in complexity, demanding a deep well of skills, and, frankly, it’s a field riddled with misconceptions that don’t do justice to the dedication of our recruiters, sourcers, and co-ordinators that dedicate their days to changing peoples lives whether it be a new job, bigger salary or lifesaving changes. If they have not had a job for a period time we could truly be throwing them a life line!
My Nostalgic Reflections
Let me take you back to 1996 when I started at Pertemps Agency — not as a recruiter, but as an unemployed candidate, ironically enough, I didn’t sell the stapler well on the call to a customer in a dark room and then thought ‘what next’, and from there my role as Temp Controller was born. Back then, recruitment was a whole different ball game. Every recruiter was expected to handle every aspect of hiring, from sourcing candidates to sealing the deal. And no, we didn’t have the luxury of social media or sophisticated databases. Our trusty Rolodex and the ever-reliable Yellow Pages were our main tools — how times have changed!
The evolution of recruiting
Those early days imbued in me a deep appreciation for the evolution of our field. Today, while technology has transformed our tools and techniques, the essence of talent acquisition remains the same — it’s all about connecting the right people with the right roles. Yet, despite these advances, many still hold onto the outdated belief that recruiting is as simple as posting a job and waiting for resumes to flood in.
The art of talent sourcing
Recruiting is an art form that demands not only a keen eye for talent but also an understanding of market dynamics and organisational culture. It’s about crafting compelling narratives that resonate with potential candidates and weaving through the intricate web of industry trends to pinpoint opportunities that others might miss. The ease of recruiting is a myth; it’s a complex and nuanced profession and highly frustrating someday which challenges us all deeper to find the grit and tenacity to push ahead.
Challenges along the way
The journey to find that “unicorn” candidate can be fraught with setbacks — from navigating a competitive job market to managing the often-delicate balance of candidate expectations. The resilience required to bounce back from these challenges is what sets apart the truly exceptional recruiters.
The investment of time
In talent acquisition, time is as much of an investment as any financial outlay. Recruiters dedicate countless hours to understanding the needs of both their candidates and the companies they serve, ensuring that when a match is made, it’s the right one. Often due to the nature of the role, a 9-5pm approach is often much longer and unpaid in some cases.
The importance of engagement
Our success is inextricably linked to the responsiveness of the candidates we engage. Without their active participation, even the most meticulously planned recruitment strategy can fall flat. It’s a dance of sorts, one that requires both parties to be fully present and engaged. We cannot fully control candidates when they say they will show for interview then don’t, this is a challenge, and a Plan B is always needed in these situations.
Looking forward
As we continue to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of talent acquisition, let’s remember to honour the complexities and challenges that come with the territory. By educating stakeholders and advocating for the profession, we help ensure that the art of recruiting is both respected and valued.
Here’s to the nuanced, challenging, and ultimately rewarding world of talent acquisition — may we continue to evolve and reminisce with pride about how far we’ve come and still have to go as we evolve in our Journey now with AI.
To all the people over the years that often said to me or my teams, that it’s easy to find numbers, I would correct and say people, funnily enough when I have offered you to swap a job you often ran further than the mile so what does that tell you? Really stick to what you know and do well!
