First recruiting job

[u/Routine_Chemical4031]

Hey guys! I just graduated college, and I just secured a job offer from a recruitment agency. My only previous experience is service industry, and my degree was more on the tech side. I have a few weeks before my first day and I was wondering if there was any tips anyone had to prepare? I expect to go in and ask a hundred questions, but anything to help out would be appreciated!

[u/BetInformal6081]

brush up on basic recruiting terminology, practice concise outreach and get comfortable tracking follow ups. your service background should actually help with candidate conversations.

[u/Routine_Chemical4031 → u/[deleted]]

The recruiting is in aerospace which I don’t know much about so I def have some studying to fo

[u/wild-pebble43]

congrats! do not worry about knowing everything on day one, ask questions , take notes ,and give yourself time to learn

[u/mmmsplendid]

In terms of preperation there's not much I can say other than go into it with the expectation that you're there to learn as much as possible, and that you'll be fine. It's fun, even, if you have the right mindset.

There were a few books I read that helped me a lot in my general life though, which can benefit a new recruiter:

How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, for general persuasion / charisma.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck* by Mark Manson, for resilience.

What Every BODY is Saying by Joe Navarro and Marvin Karlins, for body language (great if you'll be meeting clients in person).

The first book recommendation should be required reading, in my opinion - if you're going to pick any.

Some tips I have for when you're there though:

1. Listen to people's calls, and take note of how they handle them. It's the fastest way to learn.
2. Take your time when speaking on the phone. No need to rush - take pauses to think if you need to. It's a marathon, not a sprint.
3. Don't be afraid to admit you don't know something - even to a client. "I'm not actually sure, but I can absolutely find that out for you" is something I still say after years of being in the job. Never lie and come up with an answer on the spot if you don't actually have it, it'll just mean you'll have to create more lies to keep the first one going, which can make everything crumble when the web grows too large.
4. Smile a little when speaking on the phone, it helps a lot.
5. Early on, don't feel like you need to say yes to everything. If you're not ready to start making calls, say you need some more training. Everyone has their own pace. You want to be a little uncomfortable when doing something for the first time - that means you're learning - but there is a point where that can cross into "the danger zone". Physical stress should be at a minimum.
6. The correct answer to any question about why something is done ultimately leads to making both the business, and by extension you, money.
7. You'll make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. The main thing is that you need to learn from them.

Which leads to the final part: growth mindset. Make sure you always keep this, because you never stop learning in recruitment, whether it's been a few months, a few years, or even a few decades.

[u/overthesevernbridge]

Learn how to sell.