1. Always be recruiting. The best time to look for a new sales or service person is when you are fully staffed. Not only do you have the time because you are not in crisis mode from being understaffed you are much more likely to only have interest in those individuals that really impress you, not just because they can come to work soon so you can quit pulling double shifts.

2. Recruiting is a process, not a quick fix. Your prime candidates will likely be very happy where they are, reason being is because they are good at what they are doing (which is why you want to recruit them to your organization). Soft selling at first is the best way and stay in frequent contact. Let them know you think it is great that they are happy and doing so well at XYZ Company but encourage them to call you first to talk if things start going south. Many things can change the mind of a good prospect, your persistence, changes in their environment like a new boss, company culture changes etc..

3. Keep a log. Log candidates and conversations and refer to your log frequently. Make special notes about the recruit that can show the candidate how well you listened to them in your conversations. Refer to past conversations when you contact them again. “Last time we talked you were starting your son in soccer, how did that go?” People want to come to work for a boss that takes an interest in their lives.

4. Send thank you cards. Make sure to always thank a prospect for their time even if it is just a phone conversation. Enclose your business card, trust me, they will hang onto it.

 5. Embrace your Competitor. So many times in business our competitors are rivals who one would not dare converse with. Big mistake. Take the opposite approach, introduce yourself to them, invite them into your online networking groups. Remember if you are in the same industry you have much in common which is always step 1 in building relationships.

Rick Docekal author, Founder of ArrowUp Consulting, an Arizona business consultant. Visit ArrowUp Consulting at http://www.rickdocekal.com

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