7 Traits Common Among Good Recruiters

FacebookXPinterestEmailEmailEmailShare
Regan Hertzler conducts an Onward to Opportunity (O2O) orientation session with Petty Officer 1st Class Joel Pichardo in Norfolk, Virginia.
Regan Hertzler, assistant program manager of Onward to Opportunity (O2O), conducts an O2O orientation session with Petty Officer 1st Class Joel Pichardo on Dec. 6, 2016, in Norfolk, Virginia. (Petty Officer 2nd Class Bill Dodge/U.S. Navy photo)

In the world of search and recruitment, experienced managers know that it's often most effective to hire new recruiters for attitude and train them for skill. MRINetwork, the world's largest search and recruitment organization, recognizes that the attributes required to become a successful recruiter match up very well with the attributes that a career in the military develops and encourages.

As a result, many of the more than 800 U.S. offices of MRINetwork are actively seeking people from the military as recruiters. Some of the important attributes a good recruiter needs include:

  • They are self-starters. Recruiters have a fair degree of autonomy. They manage their own client and candidate relationships, and their success is directly proportionate to their effort.
  • They have the ability to build relationships. Recruiters make a big impact through the candidates they place. They help companies grow and thrive, and they help build careers. They have to care about people to do that.
  • They can handle rejection without damage to their self-esteem. When first starting out, recruiters may get some negative responses until they build credibility, but once they have some tenure, they begin to develop a steady client base and a healthy income.
  • They are competitive. They are resourceful and play the game to win. They rise to the occasion and often succeed in situations that others give up on.
  • They have the habit of lifelong learning. Companies rely on their recruiters for much more than finding a candidate to fill an open job. Recruiters have to read the literature and know the competition. They often understand more about the big industry trends than their clients.
  • They have the discipline to try new things. They are eager to consider and implement new ideas. And they don't get discouraged if their new ideas don't always work out. They just move on to the next idea.
  • They are proud of the work they do. They view recruiting as a profession and place high value on the impact they have on their client companies and on the careers of their candidates.

To learn more about becoming a recruiter, please click here.

Find the Right Veteran Job

Whether you want to polish your resume, find veteran job fairs in your area or connect with employers looking to hire veterans, Military.com can help. Subscribe to Military.com to have job postings, guides and advice, and more delivered directly to your inbox.

Story Continues