Productivity is about getting things done and done effectively – and if you’re lucky, done fast.  But how does a recruiter increase their productivity?  The answer may be surprising:

Get Specific

It’s not enough to say “I want to make more sales calls” you must get as specific as possible.  “I want to make five additional sales calls per day,” is a real goal that is measurable.

Get Realistic

So many of us set unrealistic goals and then become frustrated when we fail.  “I want to make 500 sales calls in one hour,” is an impossible goal to reach.  Instead, a recruiter should set a goal they know they can reach.  And once they reach it, they can always raise the bar.

Write It Down

Don’t depend on your memory for setting and accomplishing your goals. Write your goals in a place where you will see them every day.

Take Baby Steps

A close cousin to being realistic, taking baby steps allows you to break your goals down into everyday actions you can take.  If you want to make 20 sales call a week, then you will need to make 4 calls each day to reach your goals.

Measure Actions And Results

Focusing only on results can leave you frustrated if you don’t see immediate progress. For example, if you say, “I want to get five new clients this year,” measuring the baby steps taken will help you stay on track.  By measuring your actions, you can say “I’m doing what I need to do to accomplish my goals.”