When a tough req surfaces you should think of a person. That person who comes to mind is the one who you’ll talk to about their knowledge of the skill set. Their’s is the profile page you’ll search for connections on, looking for new candidate leads. They may be the person you ping to ask about a given candidates reputation. There may in fact be several people who come to mind. The point is, it’s a person, not a system that will be most helpful filling a tough position. All of our modern recruiting tools are just enhancements to the only real source for finding great talent. It starts with who you know. New tools make it easier for you to more quickly know who you know. They also help you understand more information about your acquaintances and colleagues. But in the end, they are all just a modern Rolodex. Great recruiters make friends quickly, find interests in common with their new friends, and share their network. You can use a Rolodex and a phone book. There are easier ways, but over the long haul it’s still the person the matters not the system.
Feel free to suggest exceptions, examples and ideas on this topic below.
