Every day I am asked, ‘what skill do I need during this crisis’?

‘Many‘, is the trite answer. But this one, for sure.

To shine in this crisis, and the subsequent recovery, you must build a compelling narrative.

And this skill has implications far beyond our current situation.

This goes to the heart of the difference between consultative recruiters and keyword matching, resume-flicking, in-box spamming, transactional hacks. (Harsh, I know. But true nonetheless)

You need this to differentiate. To initiate meaningful conversation. To stand out as a voice worth listening t0. And yes, to win business.

You need a persuasive point of view.

One for clients. One for candidates.

You need a powerful narrative.

A narrative about how clients and candidates can respond to short-term challenges. And a clear, persuasive point-of-view about this ‘future that’s happening much faster.’ We need clear, smart ideas and thinking about what our clients and candidates are facing, and what they need to do.

If you do this, the conversations will build, and ultimately, the work will flow.

This is especially true of recruiting leaders, who have to set the tone going forward. And they will have a ‘chat’ for internal staff too.

Do not misinterpret me, please. I am not talking about ‘spin’. Or some superficial flim-flam. Definitely no BS.

I am talking about an authentic point of view that points the way.

One where you add value to the conversation and leave the person with ideas to consider and actions to take.

For clients, you will have insights on hiring action in their sector. Anecdotes on how other companies are dealing with the crisis. Handling staff management. You will be surmising on candidates behaviours and talent availability in the recovery. You will have developed a roadmap of sorts for the future.

For candidates, you will be advising who is hiring. How they can sharpen their job search. Maybe advice on which sectors will take off first.

It’s your narrative. You need to come up with the ‘chat’.

You must spark positive conversations, provide insights and ideas.

Everyone is shocked and panicked and descending into self-pity seems now to be an Olympic sport (when that is allowed again).

It’s not helpful

I spend most of my day talking to clients (and many others) based on ‘my narrative’. It continually evolves the more people I talk to, because I am learning too. But over time, I have developed a perspective that people want to hear. You are reading this after all 🙂

So get to work. Develop your narrative. It can evolve as the situation unfolds, and as you pick up on new developments.

Be the recruiter remembered for a strong, supportive, informed narrative.

Not the one who was whinging about how much weight they put on and how there is no footy on TV.

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Photo by Volodymyr Hryshchenko on Unsplash