I just finished reading Neal Lockhart’s article on recruiting top performers posted at ERE.net. You’all know I love getting into the minds of recruiters … it helps me help my clients.
Lockhart talks about recruiting pearls, the prized candidates. You know who they are, right … someone who is highly esteemed or valued, and the most sought after. Wikipedia says, “the word pearl has become a metaphor for something very rare, very fine, very admirable, and very valuable."
Prized candidates are not commodities … after all, there is only one pearl per oyster shell. In the game of top talent, there is little competition at the top and each of those candidates has, and can articulate, a clear and compelling value proposition.
So, read the article or not … but here’s a quick take-away. Three questions you should ask a recruiter when he calls you about potential opportunities.
– Why should I listen to you?
– Why should I be interested in the opportunity?
– Why would I want to work there?
Are you the “pearl” recruiters are competing for … and are you making it easy for them to find you?