The Art of Recruiting: A Conversation with Suman Cherry
As a podcaster, I have the privilege of engaging with a variety of experts in different fields. Recently, I had the pleasure of interviewing Cherry, a seasoned professional with over 20 years of experience in the recruiting world. Our conversation revolved around the challenges of finding the right match in the hiring process, the changing landscape of job seekers, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s perspectives on work.
The Challenges of Recruiting
Cherry and I delved into the struggles companies face in finding the right match and creating a healthy hiring experience. I shared my own experience, noting that my strike rate for hiring fantastic people is small, a sentiment echoed by many executives I’ve spoken to. Cherry agreed, explaining that recruiting is challenging because it involves matching two humans, not just a transaction. She emphasized the importance of transparency and authenticity in understanding candidates beyond their resumes.
The Traditional Recruiting Process
We acknowledged that the traditional recruiting process has remained largely unchanged for centuries, with some technological advancements. Cherry, as a matchmaker, focuses on creating a deep understanding of both the candidate and the client’s needs. She believes in having real conversations about the role, the company culture, and the candidate’s growth plans. Cherry also mentioned that the recruiting process is often stressful for both candidates and hiring managers, and working with an external recruiter can streamline the process and provide a sense of safety.
The Cost of External Recruiting
I brought up the cost structure of external recruiting, which can be prohibitive for many organizations. Cherry explained that her approach is more consultative and hourly-based, providing value, honesty, and directness. This approach saves clients time and money.
The Importance of Job Descriptions
We discussed the importance of job descriptions and how Cherry takes the time to understand the responsibilities and environment of the role. She emphasized the need to create a comprehensive job description that accurately reflects the role and the company culture.
The Changing Landscape of Job Seekers
Cherry and I also discussed the changing landscape of job seekers and the importance of finding a balance between work and personal life. Cherry mentioned that people are now prioritizing their quality of life and are willing to relocate for remote jobs that offer flexibility. She emphasized that candidates are now assessing job opportunities more deeply than before, looking for companies with a positive and growth-oriented culture.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic
We touched on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s perspectives on work. Cherry mentioned that many individuals realized the sacrifices they made for their work and the toll it took on their mental health and personal lives. As a result, they now seek companies that understand the importance of work-life balance and have compassionate and inspiring leaders.
The Importance of Transparency and Authenticity
Cherry highlighted the importance of transparency and authenticity in the recruiting process. She explained that her model, which is based on hourly payment rather than contingent placement, allows for more honest conversations with candidates and clients. She believes in building deep relationships with clients and constantly communicating to ensure a successful hiring process.
The Significance of Onboarding
We also touched on the significance of onboarding in retaining top talent. Cherry acknowledged that onboarding is a crucial aspect that she plans to incorporate into her services in the future. She emphasized the need for companies to create momentum and engagement for new hires through structured onboarding processes, including interactions with leaders and clear goals.
Cherry’s Unique Approach to Recruiting
Cherry, the CEO of Cherry Talent Group, then shared more about her business, which offers a unique approach to recruiting called “recruiting matchmaking.” She describes it as authentic, transparent, and human-based, ultimately saving companies time and money. Cherry expresses her genuine love for working with people and highlights the fun aspect of her job.
In a lighthearted moment, I asked if it’s fair to say that Cherry cherry-picks the best candidates, to which she enthusiastically responded, “I cherry-pick the best!”
In closing, I thanked Cherry for her insights and the audience for watching and listening. Cherry expressed her gratitude as well, and the segment ended on a positive note. This conversation highlighted the importance of onboarding and introduced Cherry’s unique approach to recruiting, showcasing her passion for connecting the right candidates with the right opportunities.
Our Host
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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