The Slow Recruiting Movement
Most recruiters are sprinters in a marathon. They dash from placement to placement, firing off resumes like a tennis ball machine, hoping something lands. But here’s the thing: recruiting isn’t a sprint, and it definitely isn’t a numbers game.
Think of it like farming versus hunting. Traditional recruiting is hunting - you’re always on the prowl for the next placement, the next commission check. But real, sustainable recruiting? That’s farming. You’re cultivating relationships, nurturing connections, and playing the long game.
I’ve watched countless recruiting firms proud of their “high-volume” approach. They measure success by how many resumes they can throw at a wall, hoping something sticks. But that’s like trying to win friends by walking into a room and rapidly introducing yourself to everyone without actually having a conversation. Sure, you’ve met lots of people, but have you made any real connections?
The magic happens when you slow down. When you send three perfectly-matched candidates instead of fifteen maybes. When you spend time actually getting to know your clients’ businesses instead of just their job requirements. When you treat candidates like future friends rather than walking commission checks.
This isn’t just feel-good advice - it’s practical business sense. Every rushed placement, every forced fit, every “sale” of a candidate into a role they’re not quite right for - these are all debt you’re accumulating. Technical debt, relationship debt, reputation debt. And eventually, those bills come due.
The most successful recruiters I know don’t have the biggest tech stacks or the most sophisticated processes. They have the strongest relationships. They’re the ones who get calls years later from candidates they helped place. They’re the ones who build their entire business on referrals because their work speaks for itself.
Here’s the real secret: recruiting isn’t about filling positions - it’s about building bridges. Between people, between companies, between opportunities and aspirations. And bridges built hastily tend to collapse.
So slow down. Take time to build real relationships. Focus on quality over quantity. Be authentic. Be patient. The placements will come, and when they do, they’ll be the kind that last.
Remember: in a world obsessed with speed, sometimes the fastest way forward is to slow down.