The function of recruiters is
changing, no longer is it enough to simply fill the job orders handed out by
hiring managers. For those recruiters
who want to remain in the industry in the long-term, building a talent
partnership with employers is critical to meeting the new standards of recruiting.
What Is A Talent Partner?
A talent partner is a
recruiter who works closely with hiring managers, human resources and other
professionals working within a company to identify and sometimes redefine the
positions which need to be filled.
A recruiter playing the role
of talent partner must not only have an understanding of the dynamics within a
certain company; but they must remain abreast of the changes and trends in the
industry for which they recruit. This is why niche recruiting is the most
effective way to position yourself as a leader in your field. The ability to understand and communicate the
trends, changes and needs of a particular field is value that the average
recruiter doesn’t offer.
Regional Knowledge
While we are operating in a
global arena, one of the most important tools a recruiter should have is the
understanding of their local market and how it relates to the world. Recruiters who want to become effective
talent partners should understand their local demographics, strengths and
weaknesses. For example, is there a lack
of attorneys with certain expertise, education or experience in your city? Does your locale have a glut of certain types
of attorneys? What are the costs of
hiring in your city compared with the surrounding area? This type of specialized knowledge can help a
recruiter source talent more effectively.
Building A Talent Community
Using online social
networking, recruiters can (and should) create talent communities which include
both employed and unemployed individuals.
Recruiters who operate as talent partners understand that nurturing a
talent community (versus talent pool) has the benefit of allowing them to
deliver pre-screened job candidates to clients quickly because they have
already developed a relationship with individuals in their talent community.