The word credible is an adjective meaning; able to be believed, convincing. It is a fundamental pillar of the recruiting business. Without it I don’t think I could recruit a single physician to my area. Its importance is summed up in a quote I once read from an unknown source: “Credibility is like virginity, once you lose it, you can never get it back.”
As in-house recruiters credibility is applied in two different areas. On one hand you must have credibility with your own staff and administration, and on the other you must have credibility with prospective candidate and would-be recruits. So the first question is how do you build credibility, and the second, more important question is how do you keep it. First things first. For those of us who have been doing this for a while your credibility has been grown and cultivated through many years of experience. Nevertheless, most of us would agree that there are about 10 (give or take) basic ingredients to becoming credible as a recruiter. Note: These principles apply to all aspects of life but are applied to recruiting for obvious reasons.
1. Be yourself. To be credible, you don't have to appear perfect. You should concentrate on and play to your strengths. You need to be honest, human and not present a plastic image. Nothing kills a visit like phony.
2. Walk the walk. You have to be a person who has the organization uppermost in his or her mind and is competent in the way you represent the organization. If you don’t care or believe in your organization find a new job!
3. Listen carefully. Make sure you understand exactly what is expected of you and when it is due. Write down the information you are being given, to avoid confusion.
4. Be knowledgeable. Know your organization, your community. its history, points of interest, weather, real estate market, school system. Know your specialties, education requirements, types of procedures, practice setups, contract types. Know your candidates, their country of origin, greetings, customs, culture, their schooling, their hobbies, their family…
5. Network/Share Ideas. ASPR helps! Having an extensive network of contacts, both in your field and in unrelated fields, is important no matter what profession you're in. Write articles, attend conferences…
6. Be a problem solver. If you cultivate the attitude that you can conquer any problem, you will cultivate the image of a doer, of a credible and reliable individual. Come in on a Saturday, make an extra phone call, help with credentialing, solve a contract issue, help your CEO look smarter.
7. Keep an open mind. You need to keep an open mind toward all people, new opportunities, skills and ways of doing things. The more things you are able to do well and the more people you are on friendly terms with, the more credible you will be across the organization.
8. Cultivate self-awareness and set goals. Having professional goals conveys to people a feeling that you are someone who is going somewhere, someone not to be ignored, someone with credibility. However, you must first determine what is important to you.
9. Develop a professional identity. You will be perceived as being credible if you dress in a manner that is standard in your profession and that commands respect. Armani is not a prerequisite but a pressed shirt or blouse should not be overlooked when outside your office.
10. Think outside the box. Sometimes the intangible aspects of recruiting are ideas that are unique and show creativity on behalf of the organization or toward a candidate. Don’t be afraid to try something different.
11. Develop meaningful relationships. The best recruiters are the most passionate. They stay connected and invested forever.
I am sure everyone could add a few more or switch out some for others but hopefully this helps you get started or helps you reconnect if you strayed off the path.
How do you lose credibility? I give you this.
Everyday, we are bombarded with phone calls, sleazy tactics, and downright lies from firms and agencies seeking to sell us the golden ticket to the chocolate factory. I have watched recently on the ASPR chat server as countless numbers of my colleagues have been victimized by some of the biggest firms in the recruiting business with such tactics as the bait and switch, the (recruiter) posting myself as a physician, and my personal favorite the bypass the in-house and go directly to a VP or CEO. If you happen to run across any of these good folks making a mockery of our profession please share this article with them. We owe it to ourselves to change their way of doing business and remind them that credibility is what sells.
Until next time...
