2020 wasn’t all bad for recruiters

This is a guest blog contribution by REC business partner Voyager Software. 

Not many of us will be looking back at 2020 with a smile. 

But the year which saw recruitment freezes, redundancies, and a huge increase in the number of applicants per advertised position, also brought new opportunities and enabled many to rethink their careers.   

As REC business partners, Voyager Software has seen recruiters regroup, knuckle down and spin their business model to adjust to the new normal. Some diversified into new sectors, many recruiters started their own ventures, along with some sadly leaving the industry altogether.   

2020 has certainly been the year of change - but it is not all doom and gloom 

One of the biggest changes for recruiters has been the way in which everyone opened to a deeper and more honest communication, something many recruiters truly embraced and turned to their advantage. As virtually everyone started working from home, this meant that candidates were also away from the bosses’ ears, and so it became far easier to contact them directly and not worry about the gatekeepers. Recruiters split into two camps – those willing to enthusiastically reach out and offer support (and service), and those that wanted to hide (I’ll let you guess who we’ve been helping most!) 

Some recruiters switched to a retained business model, some switched to more active sectors and some switched technology partners to those with solutions supporting the new way of working. Great customer service became a key differentiator, not a luxury perk, when making technology purchasing decisions. 

Many recruiters did not give up, they did what they do best – built connections and worked opportunities hidden amongst the distractions. 

On a personal level I can honestly say I have never spoken with so many recruiters, nor have I let people in so deep to my ‘new world’. I have had much better and deeper conversations with customers and forged new alliances with other industry suppliers to deliver better services to mutual clients. 

As the redundancies among the recruitment industry became a reality, for many this was the push they needed to start their own businesses. They had the experience, the skills, and the contacts, but all they needed was that extra impetus. 

Many new entrepreneurs have realised that start-up costs are not that high in the new normal, and as it is all about the people, the service, the connections and the right technology provider supporting them, many are well placed to succeed. 

Recruitment software suppliers like us have also jumped into action. Those deeper and more meaningful customer discussions have resulted in important product improvements implemented at breakneck speed to help recruiters adapt to the new world. All our hard work met with fantastic feedback and Trustpilot reviews.

Whilst none of us know how 2021 is going to play out in terms of the pandemic, many could say that the industry has learned to adapt. 

Recruitment firms are now lean, focussed and flexible – they're fighting fit and are stronger for it. 

There is a renewed vigour and passion for life and the new work/life balance that benefits us all. 

As we pursue a simpler life, fulfil long-held dreams, and nurture more relationships, let's think about my favourite Bruce Lee quote: "To hell with circumstances. I create opportunities." 

Author:
Paul Thompson – Professional Cheerleader for the Recruitment Industry and Sales and Marketing Director at Ikiru People, the company behind Voyager Software, REC Business Partner since 2006.