The inspiration behind my way of doing business
I don’t like to “do whatever everyone else is doing”.
When I first started my career in recruiting I took one of those “personality tests” to see if I would be any good. It showed that I had potential, but that I wouldn’t “conform”.
If I don’t believe in something, I won’t be able to get myself to stand behind it. I won’t conform to what everyone else is doing. I could have told them that after my nerdy high school experience… but the personality test did instead.
When I first started in the recruiting business, the old-school way of recruiting just didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t like being abrasive, I couldn’t figure out how to be cunning, and it all felt so territorial and divisive. It felt hostile like you were constantly fighting for your share or your side of the street. People were playing against each other rather than working together toward the common goal, which is to ultimately make the hire and grow the team.
It didn’t feel right and I didn’t believe that’s the “way” to do business in recruiting.
Instead, I slowly started taking my own approach, the only approach I have ever known to be open, honest, warm, and welcoming. I started framing my partnership differently, showing up as an ally and a team member, rather than a competitor. Focusing on how I can add value, regardless of whether I made a hire or not became my main objective.
And guess what, it worked.
Ever since I stopped following the way things were done, and started leaning into what felt right, my relationships and business took off.
We are in the business of people, people helping people get to their next goal in life. Whether that is to build out the next big tech company or to land their next dream job. To do that successfully, I had to lean into what felt right for myself, my clients, and my candidates.