"He's a recruitment virgin that's why - sorry mate" - What?!

It's a thing.

Ever got this sort of brief from a hiring manager fresh to the talent fields:

So we need:

- Heavy-hitting industry experience (5 years at least!)

- "Upwards curve" (we all know what that means... 🥱)

- Happy to follow instructions and slot in

- Must show huge leadership potential and initiate new ideas 

- Excel dark mage

- Strong customer-facing skillset - (should be able to run a customer meeting!)

- Strong administrative focus (needs to be happy being my dogsbody...)

- Must make an excellent 'cuppa' for anyone that asks

- Must be happy to stay in post 'brimming with talent' in active service as your gofer for 2 years (3 ideally...)

- Salary must be no more than £30K

That my friends is the rec brief of a "recruitment virgin".

New to the hiring fields, full of beans, ego a bit wobbly from the enormity of it all, all shopping list and no sell, you can spot em a mile off. 

So, how you do work with a hiring manager like this?

If you're not careful, you'll be the messenger that got shot when you tell them they can't have it all (stop making excuses! - we all know you're not trying hard enough).

So, you need a good wingman in this situation. 

(No it's not me sorry... I'm busy recruiting roles I can fill and making money 💰) 

The market however... the market is always happy to help. 

Her insights are golden. 

Never your opinion, never your lack of graft (although we all know you're not working hard enough 😜!), HER market insights (when delivered in the right way) will straighten out the most garbled of briefs and jangled of egos. 

It is a balancing act though - you need to be gentle... 

Now the other option is to get a good recruiter on the job to take a beating for you. That's what they're for right? ♣️ 

But, if they're any good, they'll know how to partner with the market to help your erstwhile hiring manager ease into recruitment...