Recruiters often get a bad rap, and sadly, the poor practices of a small portion of agencies and individuals tarnish the entire industry. I’m passionate about elevating the recruitment industry so it stands shoulder-to-shoulder with other professional services. While we’re moving in the right direction, several obstacles still stand in our way.
Other industries often receive a baseline level of trust and respect from day one, but recruiters frequently have to prove themselves first. One simple way to do this is by harnessing the power of the 3Ts: Truth, Transparency, and Trust. Applied to both candidates and clients, this simple recipe builds solid customer relationships while maintaining business integrity.
Truth
In its simplest form, truth means never lying. Telling the truth 100% of the time might be easier than you think. It’s about not even stretching the truth or bending reality. You can still give opinions and consult, but the currency you deal with in your conversations is truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
If you’re a recruiter who thinks this is impossible, try it for a day, then a week. Soon, it will become a great habit. Not only is it easier than you might think, but it’s also just the right thing to do.
Truth vs. Transparency
Truth alone is not enough. Truth means being honest when asked about something, while transparency is the proactive sharing of information without a direct request. It’s possible to be creative with the truth and share only select pieces of information, which, while not technically lying, doesn’t show the whole picture and can be seen as deceptive. Omitting certain bits of information can, in some circumstances, be just as misleading as lying.
Truth + Transparency = Trust
Combining truth and transparency inevitably leads to trust. When clients and candidates see that you consistently provide the full picture without them having to ask, their confidence in you will grow.
The Benefits of the 3Ts for Your Business
- No Need to Track Lies: Maintaining honesty eliminates the mental burden of keeping track of falsehoods.
- Stand Out from the Crowd: Being truthful and transparent sets you apart from less morally conscious competitors.
- Deepen Relationships: Difficult but frank conversations foster deeper business relationships.
- Simple blueprint for consultants: This ethos can be applied universally by all team members with zero or very little training.
- Consultative resolutions: Not glossing over something with a lie, can often times force you into more creative problem-solving.
Real-World Application
This isn’t all hypothetical. The recruitment agency I started in 2012 was genuinely values-driven, with openness at its core. Despite being taught early on in my career to lie wherever necessary to secure fees or even just for the path of least resistance, I chose a different path. By focusing on doing an amazing job for customers accompanied by credibility and integrity, the success and money flowed simply as a by-product of that.
Raising standards in the recruitment industry is crucial. By embracing the 3Ts, you’ll not only do your bit to enhance the industry’s reputation but will also build a more respected and sustainable business. Trust also encompasses other core components like consistency and quality, but it all starts with truth and transparency.
In conclusion, truth, transparency, and trust are not just ethical imperatives but strategic advantages.
Just Recruit provides CRM/ATS functionality on a slick, modern system, with the option of a fully integrated website – an affordable package perfect for start-ups. Baffled by extortionate fees for clunky, over-priced systems, Just Recruit was created with the belief that the best things don’t need to be the most expensive.
Chat to our team today on 0203 475 1789 or email us on hello@justrecruit.co – we can’t wait to help you on your journey.
