This Morning a Light Bulb Went On
By Mary Heiderman
Mary Heideman, Partner, Tryon & Heideman Executive Search Consultants
AU thought came to me about halfway through the cup of coffee. It happened this morning as I met with Catherine, an impressive individual, in the midst of her job search. Catherine was early for the appointment, had done her homework on our search firm and even brought greetings from an acquaintance we share—in other words she was prepared and her game was “on”. She discussed her use of LinkedIn to track a friend of a friend in her pursuit of an interesting position and the care she took in helping that person feel comfortable about her expertise before asking for information —in her own words, avoiding the “stalker syndrome” common in candidates’ use of social networks.
So, the thought is this. In this highly competitive job market Catherine differentiated herself and did the right things and she did them with grace and ease. In this same crazy, highly competitive executive search firm market, as headhunters, are we continuing to do the right things with grace and ease?
Are we remembering to?
- Take a few minutes when the Catherine -like candidates call or ask for a few minutes of our time even though they are not related to a specific search we are working on
- Circle back to helpful sources to say thank you
- Respond in some way to the volumes of resumes received
- Make sure those who act as references for our firms receive a heartfelt and periodic thank you
- Take the initiative to set up an informational interview for a client’s graduating college senior
- Offer to serve as a resource for the church’s or community’s Job Club
Are we keeping up, showing our compassion and, as a result, differentiating ourselves just like Catherine?
Tryon & Heideman Executive Search Consultants
www.tryonheideman.com
Posted by Mary Heideman
on March 29, 2010. Filed under Recruiting, Thought Leadership.
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Thank you Mary for a great article. This is how I live both my personal and professional life – but I think you’re absolutely correct in saying that many people need the reminder and recalibration of their motives and methods. I work with college students in a leadership program and this message is so very important for them to grasp now before they move forward in their careers. And if we as professionals don’t practice it, how can we possibly preach it.
Have a nice day.
Sue Edelstein
Mary, Your ideas are a great reminder on how to treat people. I have a small child now, but I’d like to think that when she is job-hunting age there will be people who take the time to do informational interviews and reach out and make time to help. Your article reminds me that I need to do more of that now. I work with a lot of college students in recruiting and while the volume is sometimes overwhelming, it doesn’t relieve me of my responsibility to treat people well.
Enjoyed the read. I think compassion is sometimes lost in the new social media platforms because there is no actual face to face interactive. You make a great point and reminder that such actions should not be forgotten. The game might have changed, but the same rules still apply.
What a thoughtful article. I am heartened at your intelligent, humane and empathetic approach to doing business. Here is wishing a warm enveloping of gratitude around you for the kind of inspiration you’ve given.
Sincerely in Seattle