Recruitment Leaders - are you looking to engage with tech to help you drive productivity? Are you needing significant RoI from your tech stack? Be careful you don't fall into the pit of "tech before process".
In the 2 decades we've been working in recruitment, a persistent, cyclical problem is starting over again — and it's being amplified by the advent of new technology like AI.
😔History Repeating Itself: Tech Before Process
My team has watched a trend unfold: the belief that simply "buying data and tech and throwing it at a problem" will magically fix it.
Unfortunately, it rarely does, and I fear we are seeing this pattern play out again with Artificial Intelligence.
The core issue is that the recruitment industry often engages with technology without truly engaging with the process the technology is supposed to fix.
We get why. A LOT has happened in and to the recruitment sector in the last 2 decades - it's a big ask for leaders to stand back from the coal face and really invest time in the problem when it's been so disruptive...
But, we've seen this cycle before:
The CRM wave: A sophisticated recruitment system is bought, added to the recruitment business, and recruiters are told to use it, often without a fundamental change to the underlying workflow.
The Automation trend: Tools are purchased to automate tasks, but the initial problem (unproductive activities) remains because the why and how of the automation weren't properly addressed.
Now, AI: In the rush to purchase the latest AI tools, many recruitment firms are overlooking the essential step of asking: "What problem are we trying to solve, and how will this technology specifically help me do that?"
🤔Purchase V Problem
I recently said to a client who was trying to get buy-in from his recruiters for the AI tools he's bought:
Are you processing the AI, or AI-ing the process?
One way is wrong, the other right. Food for thought...
This focus on the purchase over the problem means we miss the fundamental goal:
Fixing recruitment productivity.
Empowering recruiters to do the right things at the right time.
🙋 WIIFM? What’s In It For Me? The Missing Link
A healthy skepticism - or outright fear - exists among many average recruitment consultants about what AI and automation are really there to do for them.
If you're an innovation leader, your mind is likely 20 steps ahead, focused on the competitive edge, efficiency metrics, future-proofing, and adding value to your business. But when introducing new technology, you must take it back to basics and think with the recruitment consultant / resourcer / manager in mind.
You need to answer the crucial question for them: "What’s in it for me (the consultant)?" - WIIFM?
Stop talking about backend efficiencies and start talking about the individual's tangible benefits:
"This will help you make more money."
"This will enable you to take a longer lunch break."
"This will free you up to see your kids' school plays."
Ultimately, this tech is meant to enable recruiters to spend less time on low-value, time-consuming tasks (often up to 80% of their day) and more time on high-impact, revenue-generating activities.
Because right now, the stats clearly show they are incredibly busy... potentially doing the wrong stuff.
If you want technology to succeed, you have to connect it directly to the recruiter’s personal and professional drivers.
What are your thoughts?
What is the biggest barrier to getting your recruiters to use new technology effectively?
And how will you ensure that you get true value from your tech, data, and people in the next year, and beyond?
Automation Buddy / Bullhorn RoI
We are Automation Buddies set on helping ambitious recruitment businesses who want to increase speed and sales.
We coach to inspire, and build your automations so you can recruit and sell!
Plus, through our Bullhorn Vision service we help generate serious ROI from your Bullhorn, data, and people.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR BULLHORN VISION SERVICE
READ ABOUT OUR AUTOMATION BUDDY SERVICE
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Stop Losing Placements: Your 3-Step Plan to Pre-empt the Counter Offer or Drop Out
Every recruitment consultant knows the feeling. You’ve invested weeks building a relationship, found the perfect role, secured the offer, and then... heartbreak! The candidate accepts a counter offer and / or drops out.It’s an emotional and costly recruitment defeat.It seems that the candidates that you spend the most time on, are the ones that are more likely to break your heart.But these dropouts aren't random acts of betrayal; they are the often result of candidates not being educated about the harsh realities of a counter offer.We, as the recruitment industry, have a critical role to play in managing the candidate lifecycle and preventing this pain. We must stop hoping a candidate won't be counter-offered and start actively managing the process.Here is your straightforward guide to preventing counter offers, armed with the data you need to make the case.❓And whilst you read this ask yourself "how can I use Bullhorn to help me prevent counter offers and protect my pipeline?"❓How can you use note templates, emails, messages, tasks to make light work of the process? (Watch our Optimise Bullhorn Part 6 ~ Easy Candidate Management Webinar for tips)💥The Stark Reality: A Counter Offer is a Short-Term FixBefore you can coach a candidate, you need to understand the data. Counter offers and drop outs don't just "suck" for the client and the recruitment consultant, they are detrimental for the candidate as well in the long term.Here are the compelling stats you need to share with your candidate from screening through to offer and start date!Inevitable! 80% of candidates who accept a counter offer leave their current employer within six months.Pointless! 9 out of 10 candidates who accept a counter offer leave within twelve months.Regret! 50% of candidates who accept a counter offer are actively looking for a new job again within 60 days, indicating immediate regret.The primary reason a counter offer is made is financial for the employer, as it can cost up to 213% of an annual salary to replace your candidate.The lesson is clear: A counter offer is almost always a panicked, short-term measure by an employer to avoid the high cost and hassle of an immediate replacement, not a genuine, long-term commitment to the employee’s happiness or career progression. ... And the reasons your candidate wanted to leave in the first place are still there.1️⃣2️⃣3️⃣ Your 3-Step Counter Offer Prevention PlanThe key to preventing dropouts is to pre-empt the counter offer during the initial screening process. You must be proactive and get the candidate to process the scenario before they resign.🙈Step 1: Gather Intel on Company CultureMake it standard practice to gather intelligence on the candidate’s current company during the screening call. This isn't just about their skill set; it's about their employer's retention strategy.Key Questions to Ask:"Is there a known counter offer culture within your business?""What is the typical reaction when people resign from your organisation?""Are you aware of the firm's reputation for dealing with departing employees?"This research not only gives you crucial intelligence but also starts the candidate thinking critically about their current employer’s motivations.🙊Step 2: Get Them to Acknowledge the LikelihoodThe next step is to get the candidate to acknowledge and vocalise the likely sequence of events."Let’s be realistic: based on what you’ve told me, you will probably be counter-offered when you hand in your notice.""I need you to tell me now, what is likely to happen when you resign? What will your manager say to try and keep you?"By making the candidate admit what’s likely to happen, you remove the element of shock and flattering surprise when the counter offer is actually made. You own the narrative!🙉Step 3: Arm Them with the Facts (The Regret Factor)Now, you connect your intelligence gathering with the hard data. This is the final, crucial step: educate the candidate so they can manage the emotional moment of resignation.Tell them:It’s Not About Them: Their employer is only offering them more money because it’s easier and cheaper than replacing them right now. The trust is likely broken, and they are now a known flight risk who will probably be overlooked for future opportunities.The Core Problems Remain: The original reasons for their resignation—lack of progression, management issues, or company culture—are still there. A simple pay rise won’t fix the broken relationship or the fundamental job dissatisfaction.They Will Regret It: Remind them of the statistics: 9 out of 10 people who accept a counter offer are gone within a year. They’ll be looking for a new role again within six months, only this time, they’ve burnt a bridge with your client.💡By using data to manage the candidate experience and ensuring you have an open, honest discussion about the realities of a counter offer, you can manage this part of the candidate lifecycle and prevent the heartache and protect your pipeline. 👀Keep your eyes peeled! We'll be following this blog with ideas on how automation can help you make light work of preventing and managing drops outs and counter offers.Automation Buddy / Bullhorn RoIWe are Automation Buddies set on helping ambitious recruitment businesses who want to increase speed and sales.We coach to inspire, and build your automations so you can recruit and sell!Plus, through our Bullhorn Vision service we help generate serious ROI from your Bullhorn, data, and people.READ MORE ABOUT OUR BULLHORN VISION SERVICEREAD ABOUT OUR AUTOMATION BUDDY SERVICEBOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION
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Bullhorn Tip - Place More Jobs
We've got a simple 1-minute Bullhorn tip to help you place more jobs. It's time to filter, work and place (and earn!)Having too many jobs and not enough placements can be beyond frustrating. But we have a Bullhorn tip for you to help you focus on the jobs you can (and should) place! There's plenty Bullhorn can do to help you manage your jobs pipeline and recruitment workflow. It's Time to Place Your Jobs!Here's a quick bullhorn tip about why you should regularly update your job statuses in Bullhorn.Get focussed on the most profitable opportunities.Prioritise your efforts.Boost your earnings. Watch this 1-minute Bullhorn tip - then spend a few easy minutes creating focus and an easy path to placing more jobs. Watch Our 1-Minute Bullhorn Tip on How to Place Jobs QuickerNeed more Bullhorn / Automation Tips? Try our 1-minute tips.Be sure to sign up for (or watch the recordings of) our regular free Bullhorn and Automation webinars.CHECK OUT OUR WEBINARSAutomation Buddy / Bullhorn RoIWe are Automation and Bullhorn Buddies set on helping ambitious recruitment businesses who want to increase speed and sales.We coach to inspire, and build your automations so you can recruit and sell!Plus, through our Bullhorn Vision service we help generate serious ROI from your Bullhorn, data, and people.READ MORE ABOUT OUR BULLHORN VISION SERVICEREAD ABOUT OUR AUTOMATION BUDDY SERVICEBOOK YOUR FREE CONSULTATION