Proven methods to recruit top talent
The first rule of management is, don’t talk ab… actually no, not that old saying, rather the first rule is to, ‘Always be recruiting’. Don’t have any open roles? Fine Don’t have a role some one is a fit for? No problem. If you become a magnet for top talent, you will take care of 80% of your problems.
In Jim Collins classic book, Good to Great, he says, "If we get the right people on the bus ... then we'll figure out how to take it someplace great.”
In Jim Collins classic book, Good to Great, he says, "If we get the right people on the bus ... then we'll figure out how to take it someplace great.”
The best talent rarely comes in the market, rarely ever applies to jobs (because the second they express any interest, they get 5 offers) and they almost never reply to recruiter outreach. So in that case, how do you get them?
Just like any sales job, you need to build a fool-proof system for filling up your pipeline with great talent and then moving that talent constantly engaged with you until they're ready.
Prospecting for talent
First, you need to learn how to prospect for talent, here's my favorite way:
Start by asking everyone you respect, ‘Who is the best [insert whatever you're looking for] you’ve ever worked with?’ Or ask ‘who are the top three?’ If you make this a habit, you’re going to quickly build a list of the best people in your field.
Next you need to start get to know those people and there are multiple ways to do this.
One option is to ask the person who mentioned them to connect you two. A second option is that you could reach out and reference the person that gave you their name. It could sound like, "Hey Mark! [Insert referrals name ] just told me that you’re the best [role] they’ve ever worked with, I’d love to pick your brain over (Zoom, lunch, whatever) and learn what makes you so great? Would you be up for that?
Meeting with top talent
This will start opening the doors for you to get to spend 1-1 time with the best players in your field. Once you get in front of them, make the meeting about them. Be curious and ask a lot of questions, people love talking about themselves.
Close with, “I know you’re doing really well at XYZ, and I’m sure they’re treating you well, but if you’re ever feeling ready for a change I’d love for you to give me a call and see if we could find a spot for you.”
Running small-group events they'll want to attend
Once you’ve don’t get this enough times to have a critical mass, then you can start arranging get togethers. Start by setting up a small group event (dinner, etc) for 6-8 people. Seed it with a few of your top people and then invite them to a casual dinner with other top people at XYZ companies.
At the event the goal is for other top players to associate you and your team with other top talent so make sure you're keeping the conversation focused on topics are interesting to the audience and make sure they leave happy that they came. Either because they learned something, or because they met some great people.
Playing the long game
This playbook won't get you 50 immediate hires but if you're patient and play the long game then over time this will get you connected with the top people in your field. You'll know then and they'll know you and when it comes to getting top talent that is the majority of the battle.Good luck!
