The Journey of a Recruiter
In the latest episode of Is This Still A Good Time?, host Mike Peditto sits down with Andrew Lewis to delve into the evolving landscape of recruitment. Andrew, who has been in the industry for over a decade, shares his journey from starting in an agency to becoming the head of talent at a Series B sustainability technology company, Worldly. Reflecting on his career, Andrew notes, "I've spent time actually going back and forth between in-house and agency roles in a variety of contexts." > I've spent time actually going back and forth between in-house and agency roles in a variety of contexts. — Andrew Lewis
The Value Proposition of Recruiters
The central theme of the episode revolves around the question, "What makes recruiters valuable today?" Andrew identifies four key areas that distinguish great recruiters from the rest. One crucial aspect is the ability to "build context-specific solutions." He emphasizes the importance of understanding a company's hiring bottlenecks and parameters, stating, "It's not necessarily about being a tool expert... you've got to be a business translator."
Tackling Challenges in Recruitment
Andrew also discusses the challenges recruiters face, such as the influx of fraudulent candidates. He shares how his team has implemented tools like Endorsed to catch fake candidates early in the process. "I want to do whatever we can proactively to keep candidates from even getting to recruiter screen," Andrew explains. > I want to do whatever we can proactively to keep candidates from even getting to recruiter screen. — Andrew Lewis This proactive approach helps save time and ensures that the focus remains on genuine candidates.
Coping with Industry Changes
Despite the challenges, Andrew maintains a positive outlook on the future of recruitment. He advises recruiters to step back from the "LinkedIn bubble" and focus on the bigger picture. According to Andrew, "Companies still value a really great recruitment partner," especially those who can help businesses navigate hiring complexities. > Companies still value a really great recruitment partner. — Andrew Lewis He encourages recruiters to engage with business owners and offer their expertise, as many companies still struggle with hiring challenges.
Overall, the episode provides valuable insights into the current state of recruitment and offers practical advice for recruiters looking to enhance their value in today's market.
