Managing Expectations During Ups and Downs

In the rollercoaster world of recruiting, experiencing peaks and troughs is part of the journey. One moment, everything aligns perfectly – candidates are a perfect fit, clients are satisfied, and your network is thriving. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, you hit a slump. Maybe it’s a shift in the economy. Or a pandemic. Maybe your industry just had a marvelous technological revolution – it doesn’t matter how. Roles are hard to fill, clients are dissatisfied, and your network seems unresponsive. It's during these fluctuating times that managing your expectations and perceptions becomes crucial.

The Danger of Unrealistic Expectations

1. Emotional Rollercoaster: Allowing your emotions to ride the waves of your successes and failures can lead to unrealistic expectations. When things are going well, you might become overly confident, and when they're not, you might fall into despair. We like to think of a successful placement as a surprise and an interruption to our workday. We expect a call to be unreturned. Then when these things happen, they are a pleasant surprise, but we are also not side-tracked by the good or the bad.
2. Disappointment and Frustration: If your expectations are not grounded in reality, you're setting yourself up for disappointment. In recruiting, things rarely go exactly as planned, and being mentally prepared for this is essential. The game we play is more like tennis than bowling. Both sides are moving, and the goal isn’t to make it easy for you.

The Importance of a Disciplined Mind

1. Quieting the Noise: Learn to quiet the internal chatter that can lead you astray. This means not getting carried away with success or bogged down by setbacks. A quiet mind allows for clearer, more rational thinking and decision-making. The opposite is a gambling addict. One of those routes leads to more financial success and unless you’re currently at a poker table, you know which one. 

2. Focusing on Facts: Base your strategies and decisions on facts, not emotions or wishful thinking. In recruiting, this means analyzing market trends, understanding client needs, and realistically evaluating candidates. Sometimes it means being the voice of reason for client or candidate expectations which are simply unrealistic.

Developing a Strategic Approach

1. Devise a Strategy: Instead of reacting impulsively to the ups and downs, develop a well-thought-out strategy. This could involve diversifying your recruiting niches, enhancing candidate engagement techniques, or strengthening client relationships. It should include an action plan down to daily activity.
2. Executing the Strategy: Once your strategy is in place, execute it with diligence and adaptability. Be prepared to make adjustments as new information and opportunities arise. You aren’t learning and growing if the daily activity you thought you needed day one hasn’t shifted by day 30.

Separating Stories from Reality

1. Recognizing Mental Narratives: Be aware of the stories you tell yourself and recognize them for what they are – stories. This awareness is crucial in separating fact from fiction in your professional life. Think of the stories you might tell yourself if a client doesn’t call you back. They didn’t like your proposal, you priced it too high, etc. The fact may be they haven’t had time to even see it yet. How you choose to act next will be based on how you frame it.
2. Gaining Control: By understanding that these narratives are not reality, you gain control over your actions and reactions. This control is key to maintaining consistency and resilience in the face of the inevitable ups and downs of the recruiting industry. If you are going to make up a story, make it a good one!

In Conclusion

Remember, the path to success in recruiting is rarely linear. Learning to manage your expectations and quiet your mind during both the highs and lows is essential. Focus on the facts, devise a strategic approach, and execute your plans with a clear mind. You can’t be jumping at shadows if you want to be ready for the real challenges. (Haven’t you seen even one horror movie?) This disciplined approach will help you navigate the complexities of the recruiting industry and steer you towards long-term success.

If you’re ready to step up your recruiting career, explore Moore eSSentials Group Coaching, and receive a 10% discount when you enter this coupon code: EMINFO2024. If you want to talk with Jason directly, text him at 630.779.0371, but make sure to identify yourself and reference this article.