LOL

I know this is a little off topic with respect to the original article, but I would also be interested in reading about other personalities when it comes to effective recruiting. I am about as far removed from type ‘A’ as I can be, and have had a very successful career as an Executive Recruiter. I have always considered myself a ‘matchmaker’ and not a ’salesperson’. It works for me. :-)

After 30 years, about 24 of which were reasonably successful and not an instant of which was spent ‘go-getting’ anything for anybody, I am living proof.

As is a friend of mine, who billed over $500,000 2 years running while drinking himself into a fog every night (AA saved his life, but actually hurt his production; such are life’s mysteries).

As is an acquaintence, who for 8 years has been the reserved, almost shy, top producer in a retained search practice filled with pretty frat boys and sorority girls, several of whom are testimonies to Moore’s 2d Corollary to Hawkinson’s First Homily: The more frequently a recruiter tells you he ‘doesn’t have to work anymore’, the more likely you’ll be to see him after hours wearing a smock in the paint aisle at Home Depot (not that there’s anything wrong with that…).

Finally, the best up-and-comer I know is a young Pakistani (legal) immigrant who, with supreme, quiet dignity, will ruthlessly outcompete you, me and everyone else within his blast zone to secure JO’s and make sendouts (there now – does that date me or what?). He is on the phone at 6 AM and not off until 10 PM, every single day. He is terrifying, and one day I will be washing his car. If you met him, you’d think he was an accountant or a diamond cutter.

Be yourself. Kick ass. They go together.

Happy hunting.

I am wondering if someone could write an article about personalities and recruiting. Yes, type A personalities are go getters and they usually are good at whatever they do, but can other personalities be successful recruiters? I think so because I am not a Type A, but I would be interested in some perspective on that topic from veterans in the industry.