After playing some of the worst golf of my life during a recent spring break trip, I finally had enough!
While I have never been a strong golfer, I could at least keep the ball in play and finish the round with a little pride. But over the last year, it seems I get worse each time I play.
For years, friends have been telling me . . . “You won’t get better until you get some instruction.”
Not willing to dedicate the time required for the lessons (and practice); I continued to flounder playing the game. Well after that last pitiful round, that was it… the other week I took my very first lesson!
WOW – have I been missing out!
In the first few minutes of the lesson, the instructor had me hit a few balls as I normally do. Once “warmed up” (like it really makes a difference when I golf?) . . . He proceeded to have me hit a few more balls while recording my swing.
As he replayed the video, he compared my stance/posture when addressing the ball to a professional. AMAZING! I would never have believed how awkward my stance/posture was – - especially compared to “best practices.”
Immediately, I could see what I was doing wrong and started taking the necessary steps to correct it. All this info – 30 minutes into my golf lesson. If only I would have done this 20 years ago!
What does this have to do with recruiting?
I continue to work with recruiters that, self-admittedly (or from discussions with their hiring managers), have hit plateaus with respect to their recruiting performance.
Some days, they are on their “A” game and flourish. Other days, they are not “dialed in” and make unnecessary mistakes.
I ask what they are doing to improve, and many will say, “Attend some training, read material online, etc.”
I ask when was the last time they taped themselves and sat down with a mentor/coach and reviewed the tape and most say . . . I have NEVER done that!
If you can invest 6 hours this quarter (April/May/June)to improving your recruitment game, I would encourage you to tape yourself:
- Leaving voice mail messages for candidates
- Catching candidates live on the phone
- On a phone screen with a candidate
- Making an offer
Then sit down with someone that you respect as a “pro” at each one of the processes outlined above to provide review/constructive feedback/mentoring/coaching!
Like I found out from my first golf lesson, the time spent is invaluable!
If you have never done this before, this activity will arguably be the best investment you will ever make in your recruitment career!
Those that have done this before will attest to that fact.
Good luck!