Recapturing Your Recruiting Roots in 2025
“Wounds Heal; Scars Last”
–A Ten-Part Series–
Part Five
by
Bob Marshall
May 6th, 2025
Part Five – Qualities They Must Possess – The First 8
Now, what qualities must our recruiters possess? I believe the first five are absolutely essential. They must bring these to the table. Those qualities cannot be taught:
1. Intelligence—not necessarily Mensa membership, but they must be smart.
2. Creativity—because each phone call, no matter how it starts, may head off in a different direction; they must be creative enough, to flow with the call. They must be noted for their flexibility.
3. Corporate Maturity—this is not a function of age, but of maturity at the corporate level. Having the ability to call the CEO of a client company and not being intimidated if they’re asked to make that call.
4. Tenacity—if you want to put a “star” by one of the most important traits, star this one! The ability ‘to hang in there’ is critical. This is important in any profession, but especially in the role of the recruiter.
5. Balanced “X” Factors—any changes in their lives—even good ones—produce stress. Stress is a physical, mental or emotional factor that causes bodily or mental tension. This tension itself is stressful, often leading to illness or depression. So, our recruiters must have this element under control.
After these “Have to Possess…” traits, I like to see the following, but I can live without them:
6. Successful Failures—people who were successful, but their past employers failed them.
7. Positive Hostility—the ability to be confrontive, but in a positive way. We don’t want our recruiters to be ‘professional visitors’ where everyone loves them, but nobody buys from them—but we don’t want them to be purely hostile either, since rapport building is so important to their success.
8. Good Sense of Humor—the ability to not take themselves too seriously; to be self-effacing. Humor can go a long way in getting our recruiters back on the phone. Their job is supposed to be fun. If they carry that humor to their marketplaces, it will come back to them.
Next week: Part Six – Qualities They Must Possess – The Second 8
My Best,
Bob
Bob Marshall began his recruiting career over 45 years ago at MR in Reno, NV. In 1986 he established The Bob Marshall Group, International, where he has trained recruiters throughout the United States and also in the United Kingdom, Malta and Cyprus. With a dedication to executive recruiting, he continues to offer his proven training systems to individuals, firms, and private corporations both domestic and in select international territories. To learn more about his activities and descriptions of his products and services, contact him directly @770-898-5550/470-456-0386(cell); bob@themarshallplan.org; or visit his website @ www.TheMarshallPlan.org.
Bob Marshall
President
TBMG, International
247 Bryans Drive, Suite 100
McDonough, GA 30252-2513
770-898-5550
520-842-5550 (fax)