Even as Gen AI automates many recruiting tasks, the human touch is still critical. Recruiters will distinguish themselves by doing things that AI can’t do, such as forging strong ties to candidates and offering positive candidate experiences. As a result, soft skills will be even more important.
“The best recruiters must be great at building relationships and creating high touch candidate experiences that will help them rise above the bots,” says John Vlastelica, CEO of Recruiting Toolbox.
In fact, the top three recruiter skills cited by hiring pros in the LinkedIn survey were human skills: communication, relationship-building, and adaptability.
I’ve always believed in the ultimate value of respect. I try to treat every candidate with respect, no matter what level of experience they might have. In this past week, I’ve been contacted by a student who just graduated from a University in the suburbs of Chicago, to a CMO in Virginia. Treating each of them with respect, while trying to do something to add value to my response to them, supports the reputation that I’ve worked so hard to earn.
That reputation earned over my almost 23 years as a recruiter continues to evolve and serves my clients and I well. My respect for those I work with supports a willingness for those candidates to help me, when I need it. I need it and use it in every search I undertake. That approach leads to more referrals . . . and that is a “vicious circle” that I hope never ends!
Please let me know your thoughts. If you’ve worked with a recruiter, has the process been valuable?