Many recruiters believe that achieving a balanced work/life is an impossible feat.
Conventional wisdom would have you believe that, if you are a recruiter, you are expected to work hard around the clock and spend very little time on your social life.
However, with the rise of flexible working hours in the corporate world, there are now ways to help recruiters avoid working twelve hours a day inside the office walls….
1. Flexible working hours
Recruiters are better able to control their day if they work in organisations that promote flexible work hours or remote working. For instance, if you worked twelve hours on Monday, you can take a half day off on Tuesday or start late and finish early.
This flexibility will give you time to catch up on things you miss out on such as going to the gym, a shopping trip, quality time with your loved ones, or simply catching up with friends. Remember, just because you are not working every day does not mean you are not working hard.
2. Decide a time for office meetings
Recruiters often function alone, which is not always beneficial. With your head running in a dozen different directions, it’s good to get together with other recruiters or experts in your sector, whether that’s for interviews, client meetings or to increase your reach at a networking event. Making the time to be out and about away from your desk can be a positive change as long as it’s productive.
The rest of the time you can dedicate to meetings outside the office or for your personal errands.
3. Make the most of technology
Thanks to advancements in technology, achieving a good work-life balance is very possible. Technology has introduced many new opportunities for recruiters that were not there before. With cloud technology, you can work from any location in the world.
Even if you are travelling, you can stay connected to your work. From emails to databases / CRM and social media, everything can now be accessed online, giving you flexibility so that you don’t have to be in the office 12 hours a day.
You also have unlimited options for video conferencing such as Skype and FaceTime which you can use for instant communication with your office colleagues, candidates and clients. In fact, a lot of interviews and meetings regularly involve some sort of video call.
4. Look for the company offering the most benefits
Employers know recruitment is a competitive industry. Hence, they are now offering max perks to their recruiters. Settle for the one that gives you great benefits such as good commission, holiday plan and flexible working hours or the opportunity to work remotely when necessary.
5. Work as an independent recruiter
If you feel suffocated in your current organisation or feel that you need more time for yourself, then the good news is that the industry is now changing. Recruiters are now realising if you want to increase your earnings you need to take a bigger chunk of what you bill and not be capped by a maximum percentage in commission or hindered by thresholds.
Many are now switching to being independent recruiters and starting their own recruitment businesses. This does not only give them the opportunity to manage their day as per their own schedule but if their business takes off then they also make a lot more money.
