Integrity and Being Perfectly Centered

A1 Best Staffing had a great day yesterday at the Oceans of Opportunity Job Fair at the Galveston Island Convention Center. We were thrilled to meet so many eager potential candidates, and even some new clients. Enthusiasm and optimism ran high throughout the packed exhibit hall.

It was a fantastic shot of adrenaline to immediately put a face to a resume and just plunge in talking about job planning, how the applicant's industry was changing, what their strongest skills were and hear incredible 'war stories' of the latest job separation. We didn't have a spare moment all day, the steady stream of qualified job hunters stayed consistent.

Some old friends came by, happy to see me and looking a bit embarrassed that they were out of work.  We all arrive at that place sometime in our lives, and need a bit of help.

If all the hundreds of applicants I spoke with yesterday, the most notable were those who left the job field years ago and are now job hunting, and only beginning to realize how tough the playing field is for someone of  ‘a certain age’ to get back into the game. Word of caution: Never set idling. Constantly keep training and learning new skills which add accomplishments to your list as you advance through life.

·      Coursera is a great free online college course site and offers classes from all the best universities. Less stressful than paid course and lets you try out new interests.

·     Volunteering locally is always welcomed by the community and is obviously self fulfilling.

Back at the office, my team sorted and looked over the resumes and applications. So much talent here for our clients. So many solid skills and personable candidates that we want to help.  Happy recruiters on my team.

Caution: As much as I know my candidate will be a perfect fit for them, I also know I will have to set perfectly centered between my client/hiring employer and my candidate, a position where my ability to facilitate, mediate and negotiate is dramatically increased.

I won’t be present at their meeting and interviews, I will introduce them separately to each other via inside information about my client’s business to my candidate, and via my candidate’s resume to my client. I relay information as thoroughly and accurately as possible; and then I sit back and listen. 

I want that great feeling when you receive the phone call from a satisfied CEO telling me that after a lengthily interview process, that she just spoke to my candidate and they both agreed to the terms I outlined. That they have a start date, and by the way, go ahead and send me an invoice. A match made by us, everyone happy. Very heady stuff.

So, I always remember that, even though our client companies pay the fees, the way we earn that fee is by maintaining equal respect and admiration for both parties and staying centered. It’s all about integrity.