Coping with Transformation and Performing Under High Pressure as Recruiters

High turnover rates are what keep many recruiters in business. At the same time, dealing with high turnover often requires performing under pressure, so it’s a double-edged sword. While higher demand means more business, it can cause recruiters to feel overwhelmed. However, there are strategies you can use to cope with this transformation and manage more effectively while under pressure. In this article, we’ll be sharing the strategies you can use. 

High Turnover Rates Cause High Pressure

A high turnover rate refers to the number of workers who opt to leave an organization. This could be for a number of reasons, including: 

• • Lack of progression 
  • Job dissatisfaction 
  • Low wages 
  • No learning and development opportunities 
  • Issues with management 
  • Lack of professional support 
  • No flexibility around working hours 

High turnover rates, especially those caused by the pandemic, put a huge amount of pressure on recruiters. Having to fill the roles of the departing employees can affect recruiters in the following ways: 

Mental Health and Wellbeing 

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, many people quit their jobs in what has become known as “the Great Resignation, in which employees search for roles that offer more fulfillment. While this has been rewarding for many people, for those working in recruitment it has caused a surge in demand and put many recruiters under significant pressure. 

This surge in demand has made it incredibly difficult for recruiters to balance their existing commitments with an ever-increasing workload. As a result, many high performers are experiencing burnout, mental health struggles and even, in some cases, an unhealthy reliance on substances.

“As many people know, high achievement can be a double-edged sword. While it comes with motivation, hard work, creative thinking and, often, success, it also can also lead you down a path toward substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. For many high achievers, substance abuse isn’t the problem — it’s simply a way to cope,” explains Kayla Gill, content director at LuxuryRehabs.com 

“Treating the underlying causes that can lead to addictive behavior, and learning about how your body handles substances, can be an invaluable way to find healing,” Gill said. “The more you know about yourself, the more easily you can break old patterns and discover a more successful, motivated and capable version of yourself.”

Low Quality Hires 

It can be difficult to find that perfect fit when you’re utterly overloaded with work and feeling under pressure. When recruiters are balancing high volumes of demand alongside the panicked requests for organizations to fill roles as quickly as possible, lower quality hires are inevitable. 

Neglecting Company Growth Goals 

It is not uncommon for recruiters to scramble for new employees to replace old talent. However, this often leads to recruitment teams spinning their wheels and panicking about replacing people, rather than focusing on the company’s long-term growth. In cases such as these, recruitment can be like putting a plaster on a broken limb: It provides a short-term solution that delays dealing with the bigger issue. Ultimately, this only results in more work. 

How Recruiters Can Perform Under Pressure 

Recruiters have the challenging job of speaking with thousands of job seekers every single year. It is a demanding job that can quickly become overwhelming if the appropriate management strategies are not put in place. Below are some of the ways recruiters can perform well under pressure. 

Stay Up-To-Date With Industry Changes

In the world of recruiting, things are constantly changing. Whether it’s the technology used, the legislation required or the best hiring strategies to employ, one of the most effective ways to manage the pressure is to stay up to date with industry changes. 

Another reason to stay up to date: Recruitment continues to evolve at a rapid pace. A great resource we recommend is LinkedIn’s Global Recruiting Trends Reports. They explain everything you need to know about the industry in a clear and concise way, so you can find out what you need to know and then get back to work. 

Get Organized 

There are only so many hours in the day and you want to use them as productively as possible. Organization is the key for any recruiter and will ensure even the busiest periods are more manageable. 

It might seem obvious, but keeping your calendar completely up-to-date remains one of the most effective ways to stay on top of things. In addition to the organizational and timekeeping benefits, ticking tasks off as they’re completed is extremely satisfying. In fact, according to Trello, “when we experience even small amounts of success, our brains release dopamine, which is connected to feelings of pleasure, learning and motivation.” So, getting organized won’t just help you perform well under pressure, it will also keep you motivated. 

Focus on the Individual 

Often, when recruiters are faced with a high volume of demand, their process can become rushed. As we mentioned earlier, this can result in low quality hires. However, no matter how busy your job becomes, you can’t lose sight of the individual. If you’re not focusing on the individual, you could lose out on attracting the best candidates.

So much of recruitment relies on your efforts to build relationships. Delivering an omnichannel experience is a great way to stay in touch with candidates, get to know them and find the right person for the job. If you learn to focus on the individual, you’ll become an even better recruiter. 

Take Time Out 

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the “recruiter’s role of serving others at the expense of expressing themselves and the constant interactions with many other people are additional factors that can lead to emotional fatigue and burnout.” 

If you want to manage the many demands and pressures of being a recruiter, let alone manage them during the pandemic, taking time out is essential. Whether it’s a half day away from work, a long weekend or a proper holiday, taking time off helps manage demand and provides the rest you need. 

Final Words 

Recruitment will always be a busy industry, with working under pressure a given. However, there are strategies you can use to cope. We hope this article has provided some helpful tips for managing your workload, connecting with potential candidates and taking care of yourself during busy periods. 

Performing under high pressure is always challenging. However creating proactive steps to manage these demands will prove to be one the best paths to your success and satisfaction within the role, too.

Authors

Chris Harley

Chris Harley has a background in Clinical Psychology and is passionate about improving the lives of others through his work and sharing advice around mental health practices. Follow Chris on LinkedIn: @ChrisHarley