Building Relationships

This week in the recruitment journal, I thought I’d write something about a key part of recruitment, in the form of a short poem. 

If you are a Recruitment Consultant, Resourcer or Team Manager reading this, I hope some of this rings true. 

Throughout my short time in recruitment, and even during the ERF Recruitment qualification, it has been said ‘communication skills are the bedrock of a successful desk’ These skills need to be honed and used to nurture and strengthen relationships with clients and candidates. A poorly written email, a freudian slip on the phone, or a weak handshake at a site visit could plant a seed of doubt. 

A no-show, a delayed offer to a candidate or an omittance of on-site parking from the contract could spell disaster.

It’s a goddamn tightrope. 

Instead of this tightrope, however, it seems more appropriate to use a bridge to demonstrate the delicacy of this Recruiter – Client – Candidate relationship. 

A bridge is the place,

with its grand scale and grace,

where our relationship building is set 

From one side to the other,

with an engineer or a plumber,

we ensure our clients needs are met

Daunting tasks and excessive asks,

are just some of the obstacles we face

Without due warning, at 4 in the morning,

A client wants 2 Gatemen placed

Below this bridge on which we are walking,

Our candidate looks down to the depths,

legs start to quiver, her body starts to shiver

She WON’T TAKE ONE MORE STEP

If we don’t find a solution

to the low pension contribution,

It’s curtains, and she’ll go hire a boat, 

But wait, an idea *

“Would you reconsider, Maria, if this role could be 2 days remote?”

Below this great bridge, the deep waters are murky

Some clients play nice, and others play dirty

From “ Sure we can do it, she’s too good to lose”

To “ No deal, I’ve other candidates from which I can choose”

This can leave the recruiter, who is now lost at sea, 

Cast aside by the client, despite endless pleas

The bridge starts to wobble 

They hang on by a thread

“Sorry Alan, she’s taken a counter-offer instead”

This overpass will last as long as you want,

With maintenance and tending to the cracks

If at times the client is nonchalant,

Just put them into your call backs. 

Relentless and poised, like the big floating buoys

which drift around the bridges foundations,

The recruiter must stay engaged,

despite impatience or rage,

which comes with needless negotiations

Clients need quality staff to get an advantage,

Candidates need security, or a first role out of college,

Recruiters want Flahavans, not Lidl brand porridge

Through job boards and data, the shrewd eye must forage

To cross this bridge and match parties in a harmonious manner

is as pleasing as a trip to Barbados,

After offers are approved by the gaffer

Recruiters juggle plates to avoid descent into chaos 

Like our clients and candidates, 

All bridges are unique,

some flat and narrow, others with arches and peaks 

It is how we all deal with these differences and changes 

that could help build a relationship that will last through the ages

I thought it would be appropriate to end this with a Swahili proverb 

“If you destroy a bridge, be sure you can swim”

I hope someone out there got a giggle from this. Until next time!

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