It's not over till it's over!

The nail bitter that caused America to be on the edge of their seats during Sunday Night Football taught me so many lessons as a recruiter. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers gave the fans a game to remember, leaving people glued to their seats until the very last second. Quarterbacks, Justin Herbert and Derek Carr went to war, fully armored and leaving it all on the field. This is the game everyone is talking about. Below are 4 takeaways:

1) It's not over till it's over. Many Raider fans were claiming victory early in the 4th quarter until they were wildly surprised by the Chargers. Until your candidate signs the offer letter, completes and passes the background check (depending on where you are located) it is anyone's game. They are not hired until the process is completed and even then, they can still jump ship.

2) Keep fighting. We cannot afford to get comfortable as recruiters. You are never in a "good spot" even if your forecast or headcount says so. In an employee market, things can change at ANY moment. Your most loyal and productive employee can up and leave at anytime (unless under contract, ect) but for the most part, they can. Keep fighting, you are not done even if your top contender gets hired. Your pipeline still has room and your hiring managers may want more candidates. The Las Vegas raiders called a timeout at 2 seconds and 2 seconds was vital to victory.

3) Be strategic. Justin Herbert is an extremely strategic quarterback. The passes that led him to keep the chargers relevant were smooth, uninterrupted and on time. Stay strategic in your conversations with candidates. Do not waste time, have a plan and a clear vision of what you want to accomplish. Sometimes, speaking to candidates may not lead to a hire but it can lead to a referral or even better a relationship. People admire those who are thought leaders, empaths, lovers of people.

4) Show up. Football is a sport but it is also one of the largest money making events in America. People want to see teams show up and they expect good performance. Much like football, RECRUITERS-SHOW UP! Showcase your skills, do your homework, present yourself in a way that makes you stand out above the rest. Recruiters- this is our time to show the world our talent, will you SHOW UP today?