The Simple Math of Great Recruiting
Everyone wants to reinvent recruiting these days. AI this, automation that. New tools, new systems, new everything. But the best recruiting operations I’ve seen aren’t running on rocket science – they’re running on simple math and consistent habits.
Think of recruiting like cooking. You can have all the fancy gadgets and rare ingredients you want, but if you can’t nail the basics of heat, timing, and seasoning, you’re not going to create anything worth eating.
The math is surprisingly straightforward: 20 client touches, 100 candidate reaches, 7 follow-ups over 2 weeks. Work backwards from your revenue goals to daily activities. Want to bill $500k this year? That’s about 2 placements per month at $20k each. Need 4 interviews to get 2 placements? Then you need 8 qualified candidates to get 4 interviews.
But here’s where most people get it wrong: they try to overcomplicate everything. They build elaborate tech stacks when a spreadsheet and basic ATS would do. They chase every new tool instead of mastering the fundamentals.
The best systems I’ve seen are built on three simple pillars:
- Clear daily actions (the math we talked about)
- Immediate feedback (bullpen-style training, real-time coaching)
- Visible progress (shared metrics, celebration of wins)
Yes, add video messaging. Yes, use AI where it makes sense. Yes, build your brand. But don’t let the shiny stuff distract from the core recipe: consistent outreach, human connection, and focused execution.
The modern touches should enhance your fundamentals, not replace them. It’s like adding GPS to your car – helpful, but worthless if you don’t know how to drive.
Think of it this way: would you rather have a complex system that works sometimes, or a simple one that works every time? The best recruiters I know chose the latter.