Are You A Fully Engaged Recruiter?

Not All Recruiters Are Fully Engaged Recruiters

Fully Engaged Recruiters Tend to Be Door Openers To Passive Candidates & The "Welcome Mat" For The Active Ones

Fully Engaged Recruiters Know The Importance Of Utilizing As Many Recruiting Solutions As Possible While Keeping Their Recruiting Efforts Continuous

Recruiting is not an easy task. It is a recruitment process that requires hard work, dedication, commitment, integrity, honesty and having the ability to be a great networker. Fully engaged recruiters will win the war for talent in 2016. Fully engaged recruiters are ready and willing to do whatever it takes to identify, recruit, vet and present the best possible candidates for each and every role.

Fully engaged recruiters are creative, out of box thinkers, producers and results driven. Fully engaged recruiters in 2016 will be expected to identify the potential talent pool of candidates (or partner with someone who does), use a number of recruiting solutions that include connecting via the telephone, in-mail, corporate email and send an invitation to connect on LinkedIn. All 4 connecting vehicles will need to be used to be successful in 2016. Fully engaged recruiters, sometimes referred to as "stalkers" have a job to do and that is to get to  the passive pool of candidates before the competition does.

Game On! Be sure to be the fully engaged recruiter now!

Please take a look at my recent Retrain Your Recruiting Brain presentation regarding "Retrain Your Recruiting Brain" where I touch upon the importance of being a proactive, fully engaged recruiter. I am presenting all across the country so if you wish to learn more I would be happy to discuss this with you. Now go get the candidates before the competition does……..

Happy Hunting!

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sgatalent.com

Recruiting Efforts Can Be Continuous Even When There Is Not An Immediate Opening

"Recruiting" efforts can be continuous even When there is not an immediate opening

Set a goal to continue to build your database and network with solid candidates who are engaged!

We learn early on that in order to be a strong recruiter, the need to continuously build relationships and networks is a must.  We also learn the importance of staying in touch with professionals we like, want to help and believe can help us. Recruiting efforts can be continuous even if there is NOT an immediate opening. It can easily be done if you make networking part of your daily routine.

Unfortunately many recruiters  fall prey to habits that focus only  on filling the pipeline, getting the hire and moving on. Why? Why should all of your recruiting efforts, relationships, conversations, fall by the way side, be forgotten, become lost in the black hole of an Reviews on a number of ATS systems? Instead, incorporate "staying in touch" and engaging techniques as a way to keep your recruiting efforts continuous. Allow yourself the ability to continuously build upon your Leverage your strong network of professionals. Learn to get engaged, be engaged and stay engaged with those professionals who you believe will someday be a great candidate and networker for you. 

Sounds difficult, somewhat time-consuming? It doesn't have to be. Allow your ATS and other recruiting tools to become your friend beyond recruiting for the current job(s). Don't let it just be a way to connect and stay organized for current roles. But allow these tools to help you stay connected after the roles are filled. 

5 Easy Steps To  Stay Connected & Engaged 

• Start by sending an email or text to all you have spoken with regarding the successful completion of the assignment.

• Create a 30-45 Day Letter - Send an email or text to those who you considered to be the "A" Players in this space. Those you connected with on prior engagements. The letter can simply include an interesting article about the industry or a trend. It must be something you found interesting and believe others will t00.
• Create a 60 -90 Day Letter - Send an email or text regarding what you may be working on to see if they may know of someone. Let them know you have them on your radar screen. Tell them how you wish to stay engaged with them regarding opportunities since you recognize them as being talented and among the wanted.
• Create a 90-120 Day Letter - send out an email or text wishing them a Happy Holiday, or something that states I hope you are enjoying the season. It can also be a great time to ask if there is anything YOU may be able to assist them with?
• Be sure you are LinkedIn with everyone you want to stay engaged with.

SGA Talent Recruiting can be continuous with very little effort, once it becomes habit. I assure you these actions will pay off for you.

Happy Hunting.

Sheila Greco

Providing Candidate Feedback Should Be A No Brainer

 

Providing candidate feedback is a no brainer

As we know recruiting is a process. One in which is nonstop until the hire is made. This is a no brainer. But sometimes we forget about the candidates. Those who spent time speaking with us, updating their resumes, speaking with our clients, going on an interview and sometimes not. As recruiters we need to remember candidates are people who deserve feedback. Providing candidate feedback during the process and at the end of the search should be a no brainer.

When recruiters are handling multiple assignments getting back to candidates may not be easy or a priority. The challenge to simply provide candidate feedback has changed as a result of our fast-paced, 21st century recruiting activities. But that doesn’t mean we can’t care for the candidates. Candidate feedback not to mention providing a positive candidate experience should be a no brainer.

I truly understand how candidate feedback can easily get lost during the recruiting process. However, if you focus on this activity as part of the recruiting process, providing candidate feedback can be accomplished. Keeping this in mind, consider how you can change this.

1. Take the call - don't ignore a candidate's call or email. Provide candidate feedback during the course of the recruiting life-cycle.

2. Make the call - set aside time either in the morning or late afternoon to do so. Make it part of your day and recruiting process.

3. Stay connected - make them part of your network.

Simply put, we need to appreciate our candidates.

Just saying…

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sgatalent.com

Recruiting Is Not A Static Event - Recruiting Efforts Need To Be Continuous

Recruiting Efforts Need To Be Continuous

Recruiting World Class Talent Requires Staying Connected

Recruiting Is Not A Static Event

Recruiting world-class talent requires having access to talent that is right for your organization. Leveraging talent intelligence/recruitment research can be the key to filling the pipeline with qualified and quality candidates but winning the war for talent goes beyond just the hire. In order to win the war for talent, I believe recruiting efforts need to be continuous. Recruiters need to network and stay connected will future potential hires.

Recruiters need to understand the importance of leveraging the data, talent intelligence/recruitment research that is obtained during the research phase of the recruiting process. As a recruiter with over 30 years of experience I believe successful recruiting is all about creating, maintaining and mastering the art of building relationships. It is all about who we know, right? So my advice is to get connected and stay connected with people and talent that could benefit your organization, not to mention you! It starts with the identification of talent and continues on for as long as you want it to.

Recruiting efforts need to be continuous. Winning recruiting strategies include the implementation of a recruiting process that starts with the identification of talent, employs proactive recruiting activities, focuses on vetting the qualified, presenting/filling the pipeline with interested world-class  candidates followed by staying connected with potential talent. Yes staying connected by creating professional networks and relationships that matter. I believe this forward thinking recruiting strategy will help companies win the war for talent going forward. Are you continuously creating, maintaining and nurturing relationships? I hope so.

Just saying…..now go get the talent you need before the competition does.

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sgatalent.com

Don't Lose Best In Class Talent To The Competition - Candidates Will Have Options - Recruiting Efforts Will Need To Be Stepped Up

Recruiting Will Be Competitive This Year

Candidates Will Have Options

Best In Class Talent Will Be A Hot Commodity

Recruiting Will Need To Be Proactive

........Reactive Recruiting Is So Yesterday

According to the Kiplinger Report, the job market in 2014 saw an increase of 2.953 million jobs with 2015 shaping up to do even more. It also reported that unemployment should fall to 5.3% by the end of 2015. Therefore, for many, especially recruiters, there is an enormous amount of positives to look forward to this year.

All of the industry indicators confirm that recruiting top talent will be competitive this year creating a marketplace where candidates will have options. With job openings expected to be on the rise, companies need to be aggressive with their recruiting efforts and recruiters need to be ready to perform in order to meet the market demands. It is all about the candidate this year and winning the war for talent. 

If you want to be a Recruiting Rock Star in 2015 you had better step your recruiting game.  Recruiters who want to succeed and exceed, must pay close attention to this year’s trends, the economy and every other detail that affects finding superior talent. In 2015, Best-in-Class recruiters have the opportunity to separate themselves from the pack by demonstrating tenacity and their creative approach to achieve the goal of winning the war for talent.  This year presents an opportunity for great recruiters to set the bar and establish themselves as recruiting geniuses and strategically position themselves as experts providing stellar candidates.

Rock star recruiting will require a proactive approach. Foresight and strategic planning will take center stage. Lazy recruiting tactics will no longer net even baseline results.  This year, unlike the past few years, will be the year where recruiters will need to identify, connect, vet and present qualified candidates quickly. Successful recruiters must focus their efforts on Proactive Recruiting.  Gone are the days of posting, waiting and hoping. I caution those slow to make the change, to be prepared to fall short of recruiting expectations.

Corporate executives and hiring managers will need to be mindful of timing and potential candidate options. It will be imperative for companies to react quickly and commit to qualified candidates before the competition does. Companies slow to hire in 2015 may find themselves losing top talent to their competitors which may have devastating effects on their competitive edge. Additionally, it should be noted, that by waiting, pausing or delaying talent acquisition, companies may unintentionally increase their costs for recruiting not to mention job vacancies being open a bit longer.

This is truly the year where timing is everything – Proactive recruiting, smart recruiting and aggressive hiring will ensure companies are securing best in class talent and not risking the loss of such talent to their competition.

Winning the war for talent in 2015 could reach insanity! Don't let best in class talent slip away or for that matter, not be found. Step out of the comfort zone and aggressively seek the talent you want. Don't find yourself competing with talent that is easy to find – the candidates everyone else is calling and those that are easily accessible. This is certainly the time to seek out the talent you want from the companies you want and recruit them! Find, Connect and Entice top talent! Tell them your story and how they may succeed at the organization you are recruiting for. Lastly, don't forget to stay connected with them. Be sure to establish meaningful business relationships with these professionals. You just never know who will be your next hire…..

Want to win? Then step up your game! As the demand for talent heats up, it causes the supply to cool down. Unfortunately, this can mean that the process to recruit the best and the brightest talent may become a constant and costly battle. This is the year of change. It is a candidate-driven marketplace. Candidates will have options. Please do not limit recruiting efforts to reactive recruiting. This is the year that recruiting strategies will need to employ proactive recruiting strategies to limit candidates’ options and recruit them before the competition does!

Now, go get the best in class talent before your competition does. Candidates will have options.

Just saying!!

Happy Hunting!

Sheila Greco

SGA Talent Creates A Private Human Resources Community To Help Clients Find Talent

 

SGA Talent (Sheila Greco Associates LLC) integrates Work Market Platform into its company service offerings launching SGA HR Talent.  

Amsterdam, New York / New York, New York, May 15, 2013 - SGA Talent, a leading research, recruiting and data company announced today that it has partnered with Work Market to create an exclusive global on-demand network of premier contract recruiters and human resource professionals.

"My vision is to build premier Human Resource talent communities for both contractor and full-time professionals, so when clients need talent, they come to us for a rate that fits their budget and fees much lower then the average for full-time recruiting assignments. The contractor has the freedom to control their own workload and the full-time professional has the opportunity to review positions offered within the community. Unlike the job boards or other social communities, the talent will be prescreened ensuring quality candidates are part of the candidate pipeline. A bit of traditional recruiting and the use of new technology creates a successful recruiting process. Additionally by offering this type of service, it allows our client organizations access to a scalable network of contract and full-time resources”, said Sheila Greco, President and Chief Executive Officer of SGA Talent”

SGA Talent has worked extensively over the past six months to create this enhanced Work Market gateway that allows jobs, job status, job notes and ratings of the contractors and full-time professionals ensuring only the best talent is chosen each and every time.

Work Market co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wald added, “At Work Market we have built a market leading product that has shown its effectiveness in serving over 250 clients, including some of the country’s largest enterprises.  We are honored to collaborate with a market leader in human resource management like SGA Talent.  Sheila and her team will be able to utilize the Work Market Platform to manage an on-demand labor force and provide the right labor solution for their clients.  SGA joins market leaders like Omnicom, Lockheed Martin, NCR and Adecco as users of the most advanced contingent labor platform.”

"Work Market and SGA Talent both provide excellent solutions for employer and service business management, respectively.  Together these two companies are creating a labor platform with an “eBay type - name your rate” alternative for the employers.  Today's economic conditions are creating change in the workforce and why not be the one’s innovating. This new service will help build efficiency and cost savings effecting bottom line for SGA's clients”, said Sheila Greco.

SGA's suite of products and services include Passive Candidate Research, Pre-Screening and Recruiting, Customized Competitive Intelligence, SGA ExecutiveTracker database and now SGA HR Talent.

About SGA Talent:  An industry leader for more than 23 years, SGA Talent takes great pride in partnering with our clients to provide them with data, research used for sourcing passive candidates and recruiting when needed.  SGA also provides a unique database (SGA ExecutiveTracker) for corporate and search firm clients to find talent within 15,000 top corporations starting with the C-Suite through individual contributors. It provides accurate direct dials, email and biographies, a great resource for anyone interested in quality, compiled information. To learn more about our suite of services, please visit us at www.sgatalent.com.

About Work Market:  Work Market is the leading enterprise-class freelance labor platform and marketplace. Businesses of all sizes use the Work Market platform to manage the complete life-cycle of their freelance labor, including the selection and hiring of contracted resources, the deployment and ongoing management of labor at scale and all associated payment and legal compliances. This allows businesses to increase labor productivity and enhance work quality while dramatically reducing costs. For more information, visit http://www.workmarket.com.

To become part of these human resources communities go to  http://bit.ly/YwoIF5

What's In Your Recruiting Bag?

Not all jobs are created equal.  Not all tactics or methods are created equal.  Building relationships and talent pipelines are still critical to reaching out to passive candidates and engaging them effectively. Building talent pipelines, conducting research and sourcing will not be disappearing any time soon, due to social networking or utilization of the Internet. Technology along with tools that utilize smart technology is not replacing people or high touch recruiting techniques. SGA Talent believes there are limitations to all of these and a mixture of the resources produce the best results.

And yes certain methods and tools work better for some roles while others not so much.  Make sure you track and know which sourcing strategy and tactics will get you the best talent in the most efficient way. We agree some roles are in multiples and transaction oriented while others require a personal touch and require building relationships while networking. Know the difference and choose the method that is most successful to complete the task.

Data remains king.  There are many methodologies on how to collect and access data.  Data can also create blocks as time is of the essence and sometimes sorting through too much data slows the process.

SGA Talent clients utilize a number of our solutions to assist with their sourcing strategy, which include products that are not part of SGA Talent!  We agree LinkedIn, Sendouts, social media connections and networks are key to any sourcing strategy.  Including your own ATS  But the personal touch and effective communication still is a key role for any recruiter.

Therefore, don't take to heart some of the recent articles/writings indicating that sourcing and research is no longer needed.

What worked yesterday might not work tomorrow but identifying talent utilizing all sourcing strategies (remember employee referrals!!)are still on the mind of our clients.The goal remains the same:  identify, engage, communicate, market, sell, assess objections and close the talent.  It’s a journey.

Happy Hunting and I look forward to your comments.

Best regards,

Sheila Greco

Sheila Greco Associates LLC is Now SGA Talent

 

Sheila Greco Associates, LLC is Now SGA Talent

Sheila Greco Associates LLC gets a New Name due to growth and commitment to provide new solutions to clients

Amsterdam, New York – Sheila Greco Associates LLC, one of the original recruiting/ research organizations changed its name to SGA Talent effective immediately.

“The reason we have changed our name is to better describe our continued client services growth to provide more solutions to secure talent in today’s market. We have been described as the most innovative talent finders in our industry, and continue to provide full service research and recruiting related services with the same commitment we have since 1989.” said Sheila Greco, President/CEO.

The move consolidates the company’s brand into a single cohesive global presence where all of the company’s services involve finding the right talent; Passive Candidate Research (also known as Name Generation, Talent Mapping, Organization Chart Development), Recruiting, Customized Competitive Intelligence, SGA ExecutiveTracker (the only compiled and verified B2B contact database), SGA Live and SGA HR Talent and SGA Retail Talent.

About SGA Talent:

The company’s unique business model addresses many needs constantly facing hiring managers. Our team consists of experienced team members with most having on average a minimum of 14 years with the company. The Company’s services map out the potential talent pool allowing the recruiting efforts to be focused, efficient and cost-effective. The proprietary technology of SGA ExecutiveTracker is a proven resource which provides recruiters with a name generation tool that provides emails, direct dials, and biographies of potential candidates and networking contacts.

Contacts: Sheila Greco, 518 843-4611, Ext. 221 - sgreco@sheilagreco.com

Tere Masters, (518) 843-4611, Ext. 226 -  tmasters@sheilagreco.com

Oops We Did Not Connect Recruiting Email!

Recruiting emails can be very effective when looking to connect with potential candidates and networking resources. It is also a great way to send a message to say, I  missed connecting with you!

Over the years I have had great success connecting via email during the recruiting process. As a proven vehicle used to reach out to  potential candidates and networking resources, it can also be used to close the loop with those who you did not connect with!

As recruiters we usually try to reach out to potential candidates and others at least 4 times during the recruiting cycle and if there is no response, it would be safe to say there may not be. There could be a number of reasons for not connecting to include but not limited to timing,  the opportunity may not right, the professionals are very busy, and possibly can't think of anyone to refer. Therefore as mindful recruiters it is okay to move on, while at the same time let everyone know you are doing so. One way I like to do this is with the, "We Did Not Connect Recruiting Email." If you prefer to call, that is fine too, but I do recommend closing the loop. Below are a few examples of the emails I have used.

Subject line examples:

Subject line example #1: Still looking to network with you on the Vice President/General Manager role.

Subject line example #2: Still looking to connect regarding the Senior Buyer role.

Subject line example #3: We are still looking for the Talent Acquisition Director and I was hoping to connect.

Subject line example #4:  As a thought leader in the HR Industry  I was hoping to connect, but maybe next time.

First Paragraph examples:

1. Good afternoon Andrew, I tried reaching out a few times, however with no success. If you wish to connect that would be wonderful, otherwise I understand you are very busy and just not interested in networking at this time. However, there is always next time. Lastly, please note that if there is ever anything I can do for you, don't ever hesitate to ask. I would welcome it! The opportunity I am speaking about remains open, see below for details.

Good afternoon Andrew, sorry we didn't connect this time regarding the Talent Acquisition Director role. Please keep my information on file for future reference and feel free to reach out to me at any time. As you are aware, I recruit in your space and would be very interested in learning more about you, your career and ultimately your future career aspirations. Look forward to connecting when the time is right for you.

Good afternoon Andrew, hope all is well with you. I tried reaching out several times regarding the Director of Tax position, but without success. As you can see we recruit in your area of expertise and would be interested in learning more about you when you are ready. Please keep my information for the future!!

Good afternoon Andrew I was hoping to connect with you regarding the Vice President/General Manager role, but was unsuccessful. I did want you to know that as an industry expert I am hopeful to connect with you next time, even just to network. If you ever need me or would like to just chat, please feel free to call or email and I will make every effort to get back to you in a timely fashion. Have a great day and look forward to future conversations.

Again these are just a few examples of recruiting emails used to close the loop on potential candidates and networking professionals. Feel free to use them!

Have a great day everyone and happy hunting!

Sheila Greco

What is Trending in Recruiting?

What is Trending In Recruiting?

The latest game changers in recruiting are Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and many will say these resources or as I call them tools have revolutionized recruiting! So what lies ahead? "What Is Trending In Recruiting?"  It may only be for the moment, the day, the month and may or may not make the list next time.

Years ago there were limited options when it came to recruiting talent. Today there are many choices and resources so try to make it a point to explore the different choices and choose the ones that best fit our needs.

So, what is Trending  in Recruiting now?  Yes literally right now? Because Times They are a-Changin. Click on it, Bob Dylan's YouTube Song....

So what Is Trending In Recruiting?

1. Corporate internal recruiting functions are growing.  These teams are often led by seasoned, ex-Executive Search professionals.  Year over year these teams are becoming more sophisticated, efficient and cost-effective.

2. Executive Search firms are experiencing a year-on-year fall in revenues of a -6% from Q2 2011 to Q2 2012, the quarter-on-quarter data highlighted an upward trend (+8.6%) for the first time since June last year.

3.  Recruiting from the competition is stronger than ever. Stealth research is needed to do this.  Many agree that although social networks have proven to be great resources, a limitation is their ability to show a complete picture of the potential talent pool without further investigation. Traditional research is mostly used for this method of identifying the players at the competition.

4. Passive Candidates Only Need Apply! Still rearing its ugly head.

5. Transactional recruiting is on the rise. Can hires honestly be made without the human touch?

6.  Debates over the effectiveness of social networking recruiting continues and how ROI can be measured for such resources. LinkedIn is very very effective but the jury is still out with regards to Twitter and Facebook.

7. Not sure if the current corporate recruiting process can handle the upcoming demand.

8. The use of social media as part of the recruiting process will continue to be a trend for some time.   Recruiters and hiring managers use these tools for recruiting, researching, networking and verifying.

9. Too much data! Too many tools! When the demand for talent heats up will some of the social media tools survive? Ask yourself do the use of these tools actually help a lot, so-so or very little. Rate them now!

What are the trends you are seeing? We would be very interested.

Happy Hunting!

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sheilagreco.com

The Value of Hiring Best-Of-Breed Talent!

Retailers Want Best-Of-Breed Talent!

The Importance of  Best-of-Breed Talent To the Retail Industry!

There is no question about it; there is a difference between good talent and best-of-breed talent.  My focus today is on the retail industry. Why?  Keep reading to find out! 

The retail industry as a whole is in the midst of a talent war.  Faced with high turnover, access to mediocre talent, the cost of training and trying to retain talent continues to rise thus negatively affecting the cost per hire for some retailers.  Similar to other industries, retailers are now finding it necessary to create a cohesive relationship between the talent management and talent acquisition teams. Many retailers now believe that In order to be successful on a long-term basis, recruiters need knowledge, access to best-of-breed talent and a process that allows the recruitment of these individuals to be in place. It has been proven that great companies are made up of great people; therefore it makes it very important to find and recruit best-of-breed talent at every level.

Where do recruiters get this knowledge?  They get it from the competition and companies who have hired previous employees from these firms.  The knowledge comes from knowing who the talent is and having access to that talent. The nice thing about knowledge like this is that it can be shared with  talent management professionals and used in a variety of ways.   Let me tell you that retailers who employ these strategies have very low-cost per hire numbers.   I know because we continue to help them.  This strategy does work.

For years my firm has assisted retail clients with identifying top talent.  As the assignments roll in, I continue to preach that there is talent and there is best-of-breed talent. What is the difference you ask?  Well, for starters qualified talent can do the job and perform its day-to-day tasks. Okay you may say.  Best-of-Breed talent is different! These professionals can excel within the organization and have high potential to grow and advance, as well as positively affect the productivity of their team(s) as a whole.  Hiring this type of talent can also lead to lower turnover if continued internal growth occurs.

Retailers have come to understand the importance of a process driven recruiting strategy and how critical it is to be sure there is a strong candidate pipeline of best-of-breed candidates to choose from.  Beyond contrary belief this is even occurring at a variety of levels to include store managers, buyers, not just manager levels and above.  The result is hiring “the right professionals” while hiring the “right candidates” who want to be part of a winning company.  This in turn can and will reduce employee turnover over time.  Retailers are not any different from other industries. In fact because most retailers do have such heavy turnover that maintaining and hiring the best talent can be at times more difficult. But now understanding the value of hiring best-of-breed talent at every level, will long-term have a positive impact throughout the company in a variety of ways.

Many believe turnover can be reduced by creating a work environment that offers career growth, continuous learning, development, having a career nurturing superior, team support, receiving recognition, respect and having a feeling of autonomy.  All of these things are true, however I continue to believe that none of these things matter if you don’t start with hiring the best-of-breed talent at every level. 

Don't stop now! Each hire needs to be looked upon as a great hire, not just someone filling a role.  Great hiring also starts with having access to great people.  We advise our clients when hiring not to just focus on filling the current role, but to find future leaders, those who can be part of the company for a long time. As we all know, this strategy can positively affect the talent management needs too. It allows great talent to have continued growth within the organization. 

I believe that talent management is no longer a luxury to be focused on senior leaders and managers, but must be viewed as essential and integral part of corporate sustainability and long-term growth.

Why retail? The exciting news for everyone in the retail industry is that SGA Talent, A Sheila Greco Associates Company has created a private retail networking community where best-of-breed vetted out talent (passive candidates) can have access to opportunities as they become available before they even hit job boards. Over the next few months we will begin reaching out to many best-of-breed professionals to join our exclusive community.

If you would like more information on our invitation only retail network, please contact me at (518) 843-4611 ext 282 or via email at sgreco@sheilagreco.com

Happy Head Hunting! 

Sheila Greco

Using the right recruiting email to recruit. Customize the recruiting email each and every time!

The recruiting email!

There is the Direct Recruiting Email and A Networking Recruiting Email. They need to be different.

Who is receiving the email? Each message needs to be specific to that reader. In order to be successful when using email as part of the recruiting process you need to know who you are sending the letter to and the message that you believe will yield the most responses.  Yes portions of the letter can be the same, but it still needs to be customized.

Recruiters love to network and so do "smart" professionals. I love sending out recruiting emails because we have had much recruiting success using this type of method.   What I love most about it, is the fact that often times great referrals and candidates are the results of these efforts, as well as connecting with others who can potentially be future candidates and networking buddies!  Returned or forwarding recruiting emails are like presents to me! I can't wait to see the goodies  inside!  In a recent study of our recruiters performances we discovered that on average 87% of our messages are answered within 24 hours. Wow staggering numbers that we all get excited about.

So obviously we are believers in this type of method. Although we are also believers in the fact that you answer any email within 24 hours as well.  Okay, Before we can begin our email recruiting efforts, we need to have superior data. Yes the information needs to be accurate. This includes having access to the right potential candidate pool with emails and direct dials to be used later, as well as having access to those we wish to network with.  You heard it here first folks, there is nothing worse than having a bounced email. I hate it!!! It slows me down and frustrates the heck out of me. Anyway, assuming we have the right contact and the right email associated with the contact the fun can begin! The following are a few email recruiting messages we use.  Enjoy!

Networking recruiting email subject line suggestions.

Subject line: As a thought leader in your industry I was hoping to network with you regarding a recruiting assignment we are embarking on.

Subject line: We are recruiting for a Vice President of Sales and I would very much like to network with you.

Subject line: I would very much like to network with you, as I have become aware of the fact that you are a well-regarded professional in your industry.

Subject line: We are recruiting best of breed professionals in your space, let's connect and network!

Subject line: I am very interested in connecting with you to discuss an opportunity I am working on.

The Direct recruiting email subject line suggestions.

Subject line: We have come to recognize that you are a star amongst your peers. I am a recruiter and would like to connect with you.

Subject line: We are recruiting a sales superstar and we are interested in connecting with you.

Subject line: As a well-regarded professional in your space, I am interested in learning about you and your future goals.

Subject line: We have been asked by our client to find/recruit a superstar and we want to connect with you.

Email Examples. (Let's assume we are recruiting a Regional Sales Manager for a Business Intelligence, Data Warehousing company located in Chicago. The recruiting email template that may be used:

Example of Networking Recruiting email.

Good morning Tom (always address the recipient), hope all is well with you. As a thought leader in your industry I was hoping to network with you regarding a recruiting assignment we are embarking on. ( I like to use what I stated in the subject line, but you don't have to, I just prefer to). We have been asked by our client to identify a best of breed, super star sales person for the Midwest region and was hoping you may know of someone.

We are looking for a hunter, one who has a passion for selling, customer service, and is self motivated by the desire to exceed his/her own goals as well as the goals set by the company. The client is in the business intelligence and data warehousing space. (rarely do we say who the client is in this introduction email)

Realizing you are a busy person, would there be a date and time I may reach back out to you that may work? Otherwise please feel free to contact me directly. I look forward to it. Additionally, if you wish, you may also pass this email along to others you may think may have an interest. Again thank you and have a great day!

Example of Direct Recruiting email.

Good morning Tom (always address the recipient), hope all is well with you. We have been asked by our client to identify a best of breed, super star sales person for the Midwest region. We are looking for a hunter, someone who has a passion for selling, customer service, and is self motivated by the desire to exceed his/her own goals as well as the goals the company has set for them. Ideally this individual will have a minimum of 8 years experience as well as a bachelor's degree. Our client is a highly regarded company in the business intelligence and data warehousing space.  (rarely do we say who the client is in this introduction email)

During the course of our research, we have identified you as being top amongst your peers and I would very much like to connect with you regarding this great opportunity. Not sure this may or may not be for you, due to timing or you may be doing very well  right where you are. Either way I would really like to connect with you to learn more about you and your career goals.

Realizing you are a busy person, would there be a date and time I may reach back out to you that may work? Otherwise please feel free to contact me directly at any time.  I look forward to our conversation. Additionally, if you wish, you may also pass this email along to others you may think may have an interest in this. Again thank you and have a great day!

That's all for today folks but there is more if you want me to send them to you.  sgreco@sheilareco.com

Happy Hunting!

Sheila Greco

Proactive Recruiting - Passive, Happy Where They Are Candidates, Need to Be Recruited!

Passive, Happy Where They Are Candidates Need to be Recruited!

Proactive recruiting requires seeking out the best of breed candidates for each search assignment as set forth by the client.  Recruiting needs to be the direct result of contacting people who are sitting at the companies of interest, in a role that may be similar to the client's, are quite happy where they are and are not even thinking about making a move.

Until.....contact has been made! The opportunity has been presented, the conversation begins, the professionals are engaged,  interests are peaked, questions are being asked and the once "passive candidate" is becoming an active one for the role the recruiter is recruiting for.

Passive candidates are not looking therefore in many cases don't even know about  opportunities simply because no one has told them about it. They need to be recruited! So having said that, passive recruiters not proactive recruiters can be missing out on great candidates.

What is wrong with this picture? Recruiters need to be proactive. It is up to the recruiter to make the introduction regarding the opening.  Proactive recruiting efforts can result in recruiting passive,  happy where they are candidates. Makes sense.?Of course!

A major piece to proactive recruiting is getting the message and opportunity out there to the right people! Passive candidates are not thinking about looking for a new job, they are working hard for the next internal promotion! They want to be rock stars where they are!

My advice to recruiters, hiring managers and anyone looking to upgrade their team, and company, proactively recruit.  It is irresponsible to rely on sitting back hoping the right, qualified, best of breed candidates will come to you.

My advice today is to proactively recruit the top recruits before the competitor does!

Once again, Keep It Simple Silly! Recruit proactively!

Thanks for stopping by!

Best regards,

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sheilagreco.com 518 842-4611 ext 221

Recruiting Passive Candidates & Keeping It Simple Silly!

Recruiting Passive Candidates & Keeping It Simple Silly!

Recruiting Passive Candidates & Keeping It Simple Silly (KISS Method) has been my strategy for over 20 years.  The approach, as always is methodical and the process remains the same.  Whether recruiting for a President/General Manager , Java developers, Architects,  Regional Sales Managers ,  Account Managers (BI & Retail), Leaders and Consultants in I/T or Tax & Audit  the recruiting strategy remains the same.   It begins with research/name generation that provides the call/connect list which shows  the potential talent pool that is then used for recruiting and networking.  It doesn't get more simple then this!

Recruiting passive candidates and keeping it simple silly is what I believe to be the tried and true way to successful recruiting.  I have tried, I must admit to just go for it, but it only works for the first 1-2 days, then I find myself stalling a little to regroup which I find to be a waste of time.  Call me old-fashioned, but the more organized I am the more efficient I can be.  I practice what I preach! If you want to hear me preach call me! If you want results call me too.

Here is my 10 Step Keep It Simple Silly Recruiting Process:

1. Kick Off Meeting With The Client

2. Target List Development (Best of Breed, Back Yard Warriors, Direct Competitors)

3. Research/Name Generation - Steps to Uncover the Potential Talent Universe

4. Create Call List/Connect List (in addition to the research, I  recommend using  SGA ExecutiveTracker, LinkedIn, as well as other useful tools to create a comprehensive list. Do not overlook previous recruiting call lists and research) 1-3 days

5. Carefully Create/Craft the Email  & Telephone Message

6. Proactively Recruit/Source & Network

7. Fill The Pipeline With Interested & Qualified Candidates - Present

8. Set Up Interviews

9. Conduct Reference Checks

10. Hire

Pretty simple!

Oh one last thing, you need to be organized in order to be successful. Just wanted to get that one in too.

Who We Are:

Sheila Greco Associates LLC is one of the oldest and most trusted company in the recruiting and research industry. We are able to quickly and cost effectively conduct research/name generation for clients who choose to do their own recruiting as well as recruit solid candidates for corporations and search firms.

I am a trained executive search and research consultant (Trained By Jim Mead & Stan Johnson) so I have personally trained everyone in our firm  just as I was 20 years ago.

If you want to learn more about what we do and how we do it call or email me at 518 843-4611 or sgreco@sheilagreco.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Sheila Greco

Recruiting Similar Talent & Skill Sets Can Be Done Efficiently and Cost Effectively

She is a one of a kind Fashion Super Star!

Whether a company is Rebuilding, Adding, or Upgrading

Recruiting Similar Talent & Skill sets can be done efficiently and Cost Effectively

In some cases companies are looking for a super star like the one in the picture and other times, there exists a need to rebuild, add or upgrade a team. In such cases where there needs to be multiple hires, there are a few ways companies can do this and do it cost effectively. Recruiting today is about efficiency, uncovering quality top talent and its related cost.

Recruiting is a process and when recruiting similar talent and skill sets it is even more important than ever to use a methodical research/name generation step as part of the recruiting strategy.   Research/name generation can be done internally or outsourced.  Either way be sure this step includes a comprehensive target list, targets specific talent (architect, developer, buyer, product manager, sales representative/territory manager, auditor) and the recruiter must have the mindset that in order to begin recruiting there must be at least 50 names on the list (exception: when recruiting tax, audit and consulting talent I recommend a minimum of 100 names). It is a goal, it helps with the process, it keeps the recruiter organized, it can be referenced as time goes on and recruiting continues. It has many great uses.   Now that the research is done and done well, it needs to be followed by a proactive recruiting process.

The proactive recruiting process starts with connecting which can be any way the recruiter wishes; telephone, social networking medium, emailing , texting whatever but you need to connect with all on the list, otherwise the research step is for naught.

Staying organized is a must. It creates efficiency.  A good recruiter can double the size of the list or even triple it.  Now you are humming.....As the connections are being made, potential candidates are being vetted, the best are being presented and those not making the cut are being told it is just as important an activity to create a network of professionals in this space.  The best way to do this is by getting your information (the recruiter's) out to as many people as possible while the recruiting is being executed. Even to those who are not interested. Who knows this could change.

Long term, recruiters want professionals to know who they are and what types of positions they recruit for. Professionals need your contact information! How do you do this? It is easy! Just ask everyone how they would like you to deliver your contact information to them and also ask how they would like to be contacted next time.  What does this do? It makes you part of their professional network and he/she is now part of yours. You are now connected.

Additionally by having your contact information these professionals can connect with you when they are ready to make a move, want to refer or just chat. You now have a professional friend as well.  Oh so easy......just recruiting, building relationship and becoming a monster networker. It doesn't get any better than this.

Recruiting multiple professionals with a specific skill set can be considered easy, difficult and scary to some. But by knowing and using the recruiting process it can be made simple and cost-effective.  Once again being organized creates efficiency and efficiency creates less effort which saves time and saves money as well.  This is music to everyone's ears. Yes, recruiting multiple talent and skill sets and utilizing an efficient process can and does uncover top quality talent and creates a cost-effective way to recruit.

How can it be cost-effective? Companies have an option to negotiate the fee, suggest a flat fee if the recruiting is outsourced.  If it is done internally efficient recruiting efforts and filling the pipeline with all "A" Players who can all do the job, obviously results in awesome ROI.

Remember talent is a company's greatest asset. So when recruiting, it is important to hire the best, most qualified player who can fit in the company's corporate culture and whose long-term and short-term goals match the company's .

Thanks for stopping by...

Sheila Greco

Building Relationships help with recruiting!

Sheila Builds Relationships

It doesn't Matter Where I Go or What I do.......

I love the art of conversation and building relationships.

I enjoy getting to know people and who they really are!

As a recruiter and Monster networker, as I was most recently referred to as being, I believe every conversation counts.  Why? The reason is that at any time I could be recruiting for my company or for a client.  I also don't want to forget about others who may be looking for talent tomorrow and will be calling me to ask me who I know. It is beneficial on multiple levels to build long-lasting relationships and it’s also my personality to try to help people.   I can’t help it - it's just my nature! Should this be yours? Many of my conversations have deeper meaning and yours should too.

Like some professionals who are trained to understand who we are or profile us, I am trained to match people with companies and people with people.  How do I do this?  I have achieved this through conversations.   I get to know the person.  I ask lots of questions about who they are, who they want to be, what they like to do, and try to stay clear of who they think they are. Sometimes this is not so easy.

I believe that conversations and engaging people can lead to many recruiting successes. Whether these conversations take place on the golf course, dinner, event, or any type of face to face social interaction, you never know it could be a great time to put on your recruiting hat and if you are looking to further you career, it could help you get the job you are looking for. For me, the truth of the matter is that once people know I am a recruiter, many, almost always will start off the conversation with, "how is the recruiting business?"  Many of these conversations center around the job market, the people themselves, how they may be able to better themselves, position themselves for the future and many other topics that relate to their careers.  Will these conversation turn to a recruiting one? Maybe yes - Maybe No. At a minimum it is a networking conversation. In order for it to be a good one for all, you need to listen and engage. 

 Building Relationships help with recruiting! Remember it is not what you know, but who you know! The continuous effort to network and network with the right people can always be a benefit. Don't be afraid to network....Don't be afraid to start a conversation.  Don't be afraid to ask questions.  Just do it!

Let's not let recruiting or networking ever get in the way of having fun, developing friendships or making it an obnoxious passion.... you must know the art of networking and conversation. You will know when the time is right...

Just thought you would like to know...

Thanks for stopping by!

Sheila Greco

http://sgatalent.com/

Are You Passionate About Your Work?

Are You Passionate About Your Work?

A Passionate Team is a Must for Managers.

Imagine a team of players with no passion for what they do.  Yikes - you may as well quit while you're ahead if that's the case. It is a proven fact that one bad egg can affect a team's morale, results and ultimately affect the company and services the team provides.

With this in mind, when managers are taking a look at their next hire, one of the key questions should be "are you passionate about your work?"

Great teams are often comprised of people who are passionate about what they do.  These people don't mind working hard, never feel entitled and respect and enjoy working with their teammates to create a cohesive/well-oiled machine.  Teams filled with passionate players feel a sense of success when the team wins and feels poorly together when the team fails. This is the type of team every manager dreams about.

I have been the proud owner of Sheila Greco Associates since 1989 and I am still passionate about what I do every day. I want to continue to create a strong work environment,  hire passionate team players and of course I want to surround myself with smart people who want to be part of our family and team.

I believe our success is because our players are driven by passion, the fear of failure and the desire to succeed.  Would I have done things differently as I built the business? Perhaps, but I must say the main reason our company is successful is because of the people I have on my team.

Below are a few tips that can either make you or your team more passionate and successful.

1.  First and foremost you must be self-motivated. If you are not, make yourself. You can do this! Passionate people whether doing something they love or not, can and do often succeed long-term!

2. Feel good about who you are, know your skill sets and be comfortable in your skin.

3. Don't depend on everyone else, depend on yourself for success.

4.  Don't be afraid to offer your 2 Cents in meetings. Participate, ask questions and offer suggestions.  Don't just sit back, you can help create passion.

5. Try a new way of doing what you may consider redundant.  When it works tell your teammates about it.  Tweak it as a team and implement it. New ideas generate positive things.

6. Continue to learn something new everyday.

7. Find a piece of your job you enjoy the most and run with it.

Being passionate about your job can come to you if it doesn't all ready exist.  We all definitely want to be able to say "I can't wait to get to work. All I want to do is work, I love work" this may not be the case for everyone however passion is an emotion and emotions can be enhanced.

If you tried a few of my tips listed above and not feeling any better about your job, it might be time to reconsider what you are doing. If you love what you do, shout it out! Especially when you are asked by an internal manager or executive and of course if you are out interviewing!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Sheila Greco

Incorporating Customized Competitive Intelligence Into Your Recruiting Strategy Makes A Lot Of Sense

 

Competitive Intelligence Helps With Making Intelligent Hiring Decisions!

Incorporating Customized Competitive Intelligence Into Your Recruiting Strategy Makes A Lot Of Sense. When it comes to sourcing hard to find talent, the easiest way to do so is to conduct competitive intelligence on your competitors and the companies on the target list. Having data on the available talent can and does help with making solid recruiting decisions.

Let me compare it to handicapping. Handicappers base their decisions on data. Many start by taking a look at the talent of each horse and compare it to the competition. When they place their bet, or choose their top pick, they are confident they have chosen the best horse in the race based upon information to include individual talent, facts and statistics. Shouldn't recruiters be doing this too?

Think about it. Recruiters will take any edge they are given, so give them this edge. We all need it in order to recruit top talent EVERYONE wants and needs.  Having access to the potential talent pool, facts, data, and statistics, will in turn w give them the ability to reach the best of breed talent before the competition does. Competitive Intelligence requires upfront work, but long-term it cannot be beat! Knowledge is Power!

As I speak with clients and others regarding recruiting and current recruiting strategies, it is mind-boggling to me to think that hires are made without knowledge and data. As I walk them through the process and speak about the benefits of combining the two in the recruiting process, they begin to see the many benefits. I ask them, with your current recruiting strategy and process do you feel confident that the best candidate was chosen if there isn’t data to back it up? What are your thoughts?

Incorporating Customized Competitive Intelligence Into Your Recruiting Strategy saves time, money and the overall return on investment to the company is priceless.

Just wanted to give you something to think about over the weekend!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a question or comment call me at 518 843-4611 or email sgreco@sheilagreco.com.

Sheila Greco

Corporate Culture Makes A Difference When It Comes To Recruiting

 

How does your company stack up?

Corporate Culture makes a difference when it comes to recruiting. Companies with happy employees, breed success. Companies with top talent naturally create an environment that recruits itself. Winning and successful teams result in a company's success. A company's success makes a difference when it comes to recruiting.

A company's corporate culture is very important as one looks to make a move to a new organization. Yes the position, location, salary are part of the equation, but movers and shakers want to go to a company where they can soar, make an impact, be happy and of course succeed. In order to do so, these professionals want to be part of a company where employees come first and are respected. Creating a corporate culture where the best employees and management want to come to work, work hard, see the results and are respected will trickle down and among the other employees within the organization.

I have recruited for companies with a great reputation and others that do not have such a favorable corporate culture and there is a difference when it comes to recruiting. I must add that the leader of a team can make a difference too. If a leader believes in his/her people, that leader will have an easier time recruiting within the organization. Corporate culture can start with one or two individuals and quickly spread throughout the organization.

So pay attention to whom you hire. It will matter now of course but in the years ahead as well. Be a preferred employee company showing unfailing respect for all. Corporate Culture Makes A Difference When It Comes To Recruiting!

Enjoy! Thanks for stopping by!

Sheila Greco

Organization Charts Reveal Much About Structure & Talent

 

Do you know who the players are at the organizations you track or compete against?

If you do, the power and competitive edge it gives you is priceless!

As with the middle and end of 2011, the beginning of 2012 is shaping up
 to be the year where talent management and talent acquisition teams will 
be collaborating even more than in years past.

This newfound trend has surfaced over the last 12 months with many of
 my clients. Although I have always thought this to be a perfect match, 
companies have just started realizing how well it really works.

So you ask, "What's really happening here?"   What's happening is these 
two teams are pulling together to create a master plan that includes a
long-term recruiting strategy.   Together they are finding that creating 
organization charts of potential recruits from companies they repeatedly
 recruit from is cost-effective and useful to both teams.  That's right -
ROI for both teams.

How do both teams get ROI from organization charts?  Well, the old
saying you have to spend money to make money rings true on this one. 

The up-front costs are minimal when you consider the fact that you are
 reducing your cost per hire over time and the easy evaluating of 
external talent at the same time.

The fact is organization charts reveal much  about structure and
 talent.

Structure: Organization charts show how the company may organize itself
 by business functions: finance, marketing, operations, sales, research &
development etc. Others may organize themselves by product lines, brands, 
services, or a combination of both etc. But you don't know any of this 
until you actually see and have access to it.

Talent: Once organization charts are complete the next step is to 
develop biographies of the key players and others of interest for use 
today, tomorrow or next month. To make it even more powerful you can add
 salaries to this information.

This information can be used for recruiting, benchmarking, talent
 management and some professionals have been known to use it to draw 
inferences about a firm's culture. (See where I am going with the ROI 
here?)

Spending money on this type of service should be a "no brainer" and it
 has quickly become one for the talent acquisition and talent management
professionals at many Fortune 1000 Companies, Top 5 Leaders in many
industries and small emerging companies who have key players recruited
 from the companies who make this a practice.

If you have any questions about my experience in this area or you are 
interested in seeing what we have done with regards to organization 
charts and projects that include bios, salary surveys and more, please 
feel free to contact me.

Thanks again for stopping by....

Organization Charts Reveal Much About Structure & Talent. Wouldn't you agree?

Sheila Greco

sgreco@sheilagreco.com