It’s a topsy-turvy time right now but marketing recruiters are rising to the challenge

 

For recruiters in the marketing, media & advertising sectors, 2011 has been an immense year.  Amidst political and economical turbulence the digital revolution has ensured the overall number of advertised marketing jobs has risen since 2010. 

The opportunity to seize a piece of this developing market has witnessed the birth for an increasing number of new start-up recruitment consultancies, many of them spin-offs from established brands.  Free from bureaucracy and nimble to change, these ‘boutique’ agencies have adopted models far removed from the traditional high-octane KPI-driven environments, with relationship development now a focal ethos.

Of course, the social media juggernaut continues to demand that recruiters become more visual, transparent and accessible, which, in turn, has forced a game-change amongst business owners.  This means better metrics for clients and improved services for jobseekers.

Whilst disintermediation remains the Holy Grail for employers, smart agency recruiters are either building their own talent communities or joining existing ones, ensuring they keep pace with the transforming HR departments.

Indeed, 2011 has been a year of adaption and adoption.  And these are my highlights: 

 

Social development

Today, any recruitment consultancy without a LinkedIn profile, a Facebook page and a Twitter account, might as well pack in the whole jamboree and do something else.  Or so they say.  Whether you agree or not, there has been an astronomical rise in social recruiting and those that do it well are beginning to see tangible returns on investment.  Expect social media to become even more prevalent in 2012.

More knowledge

In 2009 the events industry was on its knees.  Then companies fathomed the fantastic PR opportunities hosting events presented.  This year has witnessed an unprecedented number of conferences, seminars and networking opportunities, allowing recruiters to become better informed about their industry, building real knowledge around their clients and candidates.

Customer service

For all it’s many annoyances, the one brilliant thing about America is customer service.  From muscling your bags from the hotel lobby to your room on the 109th floor to layering more mayo on your oversized burger, the Yanks can’t do enough for you.  And slowly but surely that mentality is finding its way into the recruiter conscience.  Forget making a quick buck; it’s about service, service, service.  Scribble it down.  Swear by it.

Branding

Recruiters that don’t adopt a structured branding strategy will die.  A world juxtaposed between pre-eminence and apathy demands that we are easily identifiable and whilst social media has encouraged us to each develop our personal brands, it’s been brilliant for company promotion, too.  But social is just one channel.  Smart recruiters are beginning to see the value of low-cost niche job board advertising, who themselves have had to adapt to clients demands and offer more than a job listing service.  A good job board can offer recruiters fantastic branding opportunities.

In for the long haul

The days of number-crunching are gone.  If you’re a KPI-driven recruitment agency you need to change.  Now.  Your clients don’t want it and your candidates don’t respect it.  The successful recruiters this year started building meaningful relationships twelve months ago.  Living for today might land you a deal but it won’t land you a long-term contract. 

It’s who you know

No doubt about it, better business is done and more opportunities present themselves when you meet someone face-to-face.  Forward-thinking recruiters got off their bums this year to mingle with industry folk, impart some knowledge, learn from others and build their networks.  I’ll be surprised if more don’t follow suit in 2012.

Recruitment is a career, not a pastime

At last!  It’s taken years to get here but finally we are witnessing recruitment as a career choice, rather than something we happen to fall into.  I’m not sure recruiting into the IT, engineering or construction industries would provide the same energy and excitement but when I meet recruiters within the marketing industry I see passion and professionalism.  The recruitment evolution has sparked a new sense of purpose and a clear path to achieving personal goals.  The marketing recruiting industry is beginning to earn respect.

Recruitment is a profession in which intelligence is rewarded.  The days of bashing out CVs are over.  That shit don’t stick no more.

 

 

How else has the recruitment industry changed in 2011?  What’s new for 2012?  Leave a comment below.

 

Simon Lewis | Editor | Only Marketing Jobs | Connect with me on LinkedIn