When I first started out, I had no idea what I was doing. But you know what I did have? I had a mentor who believed in me, a great candidate who was smart, solid, and ready to work, and a list of companies where I thought that candidate would be a perfect fit. So, I picked up the phone and started dialing. One after another. And the result was… I got ignored, yelled at, and even hung up on! Owners, Talent Acquisition Managers, and Hiring Managers told me ‘no’ more times than I could count. But I kept going, and I told anyone who would listen why this candidate mattered and how they’d regret missing out on them. And finally… someone said yes. One meeting, one shot – that’s all that we needed. And (of course!), once they made it through the interview process, they got the job!

I didn’t have a fancy recruiting process or years of experience. I didn’t have a playbook. I just worked my butt off for the right outcome and didn’t stop until it happened.

Successful recruiters don’t just send resumes and hope for the best. Quite the opposite! Here are some of the tips I can share for how I’ve found success in recruiting:

Build Connections  

For me, it all starts with listening. I take the time to get to know my clients, not just on paper, but as people. I tune in and prioritize clear, consistent communication every step of the way. From kickoff to delivery, I make it a point to show up, follow through, and deliver high-quality work. It’s not just about checking boxes; it’s about building trust through transparency, responsiveness, and a shared investment in success.

Ask the Right Questions  

Knowing which questions to ask will make your job as a recruiter a hundred times easier. I like to start by getting into the details of my clients’ business goals, company culture, recruiting budget, timeline to hire, and exploring their past experiences working with recruiters. This helps me to identify ways I can help to improve their experience moving forward. I work to understand any current hurdles they’re experiencing with potential candidates and hiring for this particular position, review our timeline and goals, and set the stage for it to be a win-win relationship for the long run. When you ask the right questions, you’ll set yourself up for years of success and stronger partnerships.

Find Strong Candidates  

Once I’ve nailed down what my client needs, it’s go-time. I dive into the talent pool and track down the person with the right skill sets who can make a real impact. I sift through resumes, applicant tracking systems, run thoughtful interviews, and use data-driven platforms to zero in on candidates who aren’t just qualified, but are also a good fit for my client. I also use my professional network to find top candidates, as a lot of the time those individuals are passive job seekers.

Never Give Up  

The best recruiters don’t give up until the right person says yes. Never giving up means staying persistent, even when faced with setbacks or uncertainty. It’s about maintaining focus on your goals, learning from failures, and adapting your approach when needed. Believing in your purpose and pushing forward with resilience can turn obstacles into stepping stones for success. A great read on this topic is, “The Hard Thing About Hard Things“, by Ben Horowitz. It offers honest advice on how to be resilient and persevere, pushing through tough times until you find success at the other end.

When you recruit in the right way, you’ll be sure to find success. My clients and candidates trust me to be candid, honest, and reliable. And they don’t hire me to try – they hire me to deliver. That’s what I’ve built this business on. And I still love what I do. 20 years later.

Do you still love your work? If you’re interested in exploring a career path as a recruiter, I’d love to connect with you and tell you more about joining the Goodwin Recruiting team. Reach out to me anytime: Ghali Asad, Senior Recruiting Partner