The JobSync Blog
Become a Super Recruiter by Following Eli Manning's Example
February 9, 2012
Going into this year’s NFL post-season, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning led a team that won its conference but finished with a lackluster record of 9 wins and 7 losses. His team’s erratic play throughout the season did not bode well for the playoffs, and it would have to win every game on the road to make it to the title game. Walking away with the Superbowl trophy over the commanding New England Patriots seemed nearly impossible.
Except Eli Manning and his Giants did the same thing on the way to the 2008 Superbowl trophy.
In a recent piece for RecruitingBlogs.com, Christopher Poreda reviews the powerful elements that contributed to Eli Manning’s triumph. These are traits recruiters and hiring managers can take to heart as they search for that great-matching candidate, and they include:
1. Preparation. Preparation allows difficult tasks to become easier, whether it’s researching a candidate’s background or carefully distilling a candidate’s references.
2. Focus. Laser-like focus on an issue at hand will more likely bring better results than spreading yourself too thin.
3. Integrity. As Poreda points out, “People sense it and rally behind it.” It is a key component for managers and employees alike.
4. Honesty. Honesty allows one to recognize and address personal flaws and weaknesses. Do you continue to interview unqualified applicants? Maybe the problem is you…
5. Humility. Given that the Giants’ regular season record was nothing to write home about, a little sobriety about their chances no doubt kept them grounded. Approach your candidates with the same humility about yourself and your company.
6. Perseverance. Never give up. At one point in the Giants topsy-turvy regular season, fans were calling for Manning’s ouster, but he wouldn’t relent. And giving up on finding the perfect candidate will get you nowhere, too.
7. Trust. Those who lack trust eventually can’t function with others. And if they can’t trust themselves, they are setting themselves up for personal failure as well.
8. Being a team player. Recruiters and hiring managers need to work together, not against each other.
9. Luck. A little of this won’t hurt either, although most people make their own luck through preparation, focus, perseverance…
In addition to these traits, we’d like to add intensity. The Giants always stepped it up when they needed to, and this even included practice sessions before big games.
Make these qualities a part of who you are. You may not bring home Superbowl rings as a result, but you’ll win yourself many fans and become the winner you know you are.
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