No offence meant there! I’m sure you’re very good at what you do. But have you stopped to ask yourself that question?

What Are You Doing
Working In Recruitment?
lost

No offence meant there! I’m sure you’re very good at what you do.
But have you stopped to ask yourself that question?

No offence meant there! I’m sure you’re very good at what you do. But have you stopped to ask yourself that question? On two levels? Firstly, what is it exactly that you do? And secondly, why are you doing it in the way that you do?

First then, the big question. What is recruitment? In many ways it’s a sales job. If you’re a recruitment consultant you’re selling your employer’s organisation to companies, convincing them that you can find them staff. You’re also selling candidates to employers. In fact you’re selling the organisation to candidates too.

It’s an advertising job too. You’ll be involved in writing and placing the ads that sell the jobs.

It’s more complicated than that when you factor in the market sectors, the temporary and permanent roles, the targets and commissions, but in the big picture that’s what you’re doing.

If you’re happy, then fine. But if you’re asking yourself what are you doing working in recruitment you’re probably, maybe unwittingly, feeling the first stirrings of the entrepreneurial character that runs through many recruitment consultants. You’re beginning to wonder if it wouldn’t be better, rather than working in recruitment, if you were working at recruitment. And that means working for yourself.

Starting a recruitment business is as daunting as launching any company. But, the very nature of the business means as an employee you’re working autonomously, responsible for a bottom line and tasked with growth. For someone else.

Apply the same skills and determination to your own business and it starts to look different. Now the hard earned rewards are your own.

The recruitment business is probably one of the best sectors for start-ups. Careful consideration of backing, finance, systems and branding are essential. Good support at financial and operational levels are vital. But, you’re already using the skills it takes to run your own show. So why not do it?

Back to the question then. What are you doing working in recruitment? Ask yourself. You might be surprised at the answer.

For a successful take off you need a sound launch pad. And if you’re aiming for the stars you need a clear sky.

Where To Focus Your Limited Resources
In A Startup Recruiting Business
clear-sky

For a successful take off you need a sound launch pad. And if you’re aiming for the stars you need a clear sky.

If, in the unlikely event, that you’re starting up a recruitment business with unlimited resources, you won’t need to read on! If however, you’re starting up and have to be realistic about how to deploy your probably limited resources, then there are some key factors to consider, and prioritise.

Let’s take that in reverse order. That clear sky means you need to be able to concentrate on what you do best, and what, almost certainly, you’ve promised most – service. You’ll want to use all your experience, contacts and motivation to get in front of prospective clients and, having won their business, put in place the kind of service that will make you stand out.

The problem is, that’s harder to do when you’re constantly thinking about creating your new website, sorting out the stationery and furniture and setting up the office. And that’s without juggling the cash flow because the next start up loan repayment is due. Managing those, with limited resources, the most precious of which is time, is not easy. It also doesn’t make for the clear mind you need to be out there winning business.

Your plan therefore should be to have all the essentials in place and ‘up and running’ so that you can concentrate on growing.

Those essentials really fall into three categories.

Finance. You need the initial capital of course. Importantly you need it at favourable rates, and without the restraints of a franchise. Why would you be going it alone if it means working under another brand? Just as importantly you need the credit facility to accommodate 30 day invoicing periods and maintain a steady cash flow.

Systems. You will crash and burn very soon after take-off if you don’t have robust, tried and tested systems on which to run the business. The recruitment industry has procedures that are essential to administer the process, and without them all your efforts will flounder. Get the office back up in place before you make the first pitch.

Branding. In theory you can pick up the phone and start making appointments. ‘I’ll worry about the logo and branding later. Let’s get some business in first’. Wrong! This is a competitive market and a nameless one man (or woman) band, no matter how good your reputation, just won’t cut it.

So, consider your resources and match them against the essential requirements. Focus on your finance, systems and brand. Get them sorted, as cost effectively as possible. Make sure they are firmly in place, and that you can rely on them.

Then, and only then, are you ready for blast off. And with your mind clear of the details and worries you can fly. Able to focus, you’ll make better pitches, close more deals and deliver the service that ultimately is the mark of a successful recruitment business.

Author

David SimonsDavid Simons has extensive recruitment knowledge having worked within the industry for over 20 years. He is Managing Director of Recruit Ventures who provide investment and back office support to individuals who wish to start up their own business and existing Joint Venture partners grow their business.