Inside #TeamEdge: Employees Reveal What It’s Like To Be Recruiters

In 2013, Google admitted that its infamous brainteasers – for example: “How much should you charge to wash all the windows in a US city?” – are absurd ways for predicting who will be a good employee.

 

Thinking about window-per-housing isn’t the best way to directly assess someone’s skills and creativity. However, Google’s flawed strategy was the answer to another brainteaser: What’s the best way to hire great talents?

 

The hiring process is a complex cycle in the recruitment industry. People and organisations are difficult, and matching people and organisations are far more complicated with it being extremely difficult to predict who will be brilliant and who will be a bust.

 

Given this situation, we look to our #TeamEdge professionals to uncover what it takes for recruiters to pair job seekers with hiring companies, the challenges a job presents, how they have influenced candidates and clients, dispelling common recruitment myths and share their funniest and worst hiring stories.

 

Read what #TeamEdge recruiters Priya Bala, Managing Director, Malaysia, Siddhartha Losalka, Senior Associate – Technology and Shashikant Bomma – Senior Associate, Risk & Governance have got to say about it.

 

#1 What is it about the recruitment industry that is so exciting? Why did you join it? 

 

 

“No two days are the same. We are always talking to people, hearing their stories, managing different situations, clients and candidates. The excitement for me comes from closing a deal such as making a successful placement. I confess, I got into recruitment by accident but it has been over 10 years now and I cannot imagine doing anything else. I have found my calling!” – Priya Bala

 

“Making a difference for the better, in the lives of people. Everyone does that for their near and dear ones. We do it for people we’ve barely known for a while. So, even though coming to recruitment was more of an accident than a choice, this is definitely something I’ve developed a love for, over the years. And oh yeah, Monday mornings do not bring any blues anymore.” – Siddhartha Losalka

 

“The recruitment industry or the job of a recruiter is full of excitement but it is equally challenging and not everyone’s cup of tea. Every day as a recruiter you are in head-to-head competition to attract top and niche talent, and the best part is within 90 days, you will know if you have beaten the competition. It’s a high impact job because a recruiter can literally change the life of an individual by placing them in their dream job and effectively changing the direction and the success of a corporation with a single great hire.” – Shashikant Bomma

 

#2 From interviewee to being an interviewer, how has the journey changed?

 

 

“I wish I knew then what I know now! People can see right through all those clichés.” – Priya Bala

 

“Drastically! Just like looking at the world through an opaque glass vs. looking at the world through a transparent glass. You speak to people and develop an understanding of their thinking process. You stop having the misconception that you’re the smartest one in the room ALWAYS!” – Siddhartha Losalka

 

“There has been a drastic change in approach, both personally and professionally. I started by driving things on my own and successfully grew a pool of senior risk and governance professionals across the globe.”  – Shashikant Bomma

 

#3 Do you believe you’ve changed people’s lives with a new career or job? Share with us a story!

 

 

“Yes, I believe so. Years ago, I advised a candidate to accept an offer from my client – an international media company. I told him that with this company on his resume, his career would take off and bigger companies would notice him from that point on. He trusted me and took the job. I met him at an event a few years later and he was now the MD of another major media company. He came over to me and reminded me about the advice I gave him and said “Thank you. You were right.” That’s the sort of job satisfaction money can never buy!”- Priya Bala

 

“When your candidate who used to stay in a rented accommodation, buys a Villa, while in a job that you placed him in, you do believe that you’ve changed lives!”  – Siddhartha Losalka

 

#4 Has your friend circle expanded the moment people knew that you are in the recruitment industry?

 

 

“Well, I have certainly tried to place all my friends in jobs! I can’t say that I have more friends now, but definitely a much wider network. And some of my candidates and clients over the years continue to stay in touch and we often catch up on a social basis rather than for work. When we identify a professional to fill a critical need at a company, there’s a tremendous sense of satisfaction.” – Priya Bala

 

“Urmm… friends probably not, my network, definitely yes. People at leadership positions, whom I’ve interacted with, keep calling occasionally wanting to know what’s new in the industry and if there’s a role for them. Initially, I used to get calls from some friends once a year – on my birthday. Now it has become at least twice – on my birthday and after a not-so-good appraisal! :)” – Siddharta Losalka

 

#5 What are some of your funniest and worst hiring stories?

 

 

“I will never forget the candidate who was negotiating his remuneration package for a role in a different market. On top of the usual allowance and benefits, he requested for an education allowance for kids. Since he had never mentioned kids before, I asked him how many kids he had and how old they were. Cool as a cucumber he replied, “Oh I don’t have any kids now. I am not married yet. I am just asking this for the future.” Urm, was he negotiating for his unborn children? He didn’t get the job!” – Priya Bala

 

“Funniest – a candidate went to meet the co-founder of a start-up, wearing shorts; the co-founder was all suited up! Worst – A candidate mysteriously left the job on Day 2 – and I could never connect with him to know the reason. Recruitment industry has its own Bermuda Triangles too, I guess!” – Siddhartha Losalka

 

“I wish no one should experience this. A candidate once found my client’s job more promising hence decided to decline the offer from another company. On the other hand, my client faced delays in sending a formal offer since they had to undergo a series of approvals, and in this period the candidate was unwaged for 2 months. It became really difficult to manage and set expectations with the candidate. Eventually, the client decided to release a formal offer and the candidate was promoted within 6 months of joining. A painful hiring process that turned out better than expected!” – Shashikant Bomma

 

#6 What are some misconceptions people have about the recruitment industry?

 

 

“That it’s all about sitting in cafes all day chatting away over endless cups of latte!” – Priya Bala

 

“That we have one of the easiest jobs in the world!” – Siddhartha Losalka

 

“That we don’t know enough about the job. In reality, not all recruiters are created equal – some specialise in a certain area, others are generalists who work across a lot of different sectors.” – Shashikant Bomma

 

#7 What makes The Edge a great recruitment company?

 

 

“The Edge empowers people to own their space and self-manage performance. We are always up for some fun, having a few laughs over cocktails!” – Priya Bala

 

“It’s empowering; it gives us the independence of managing our mandates and performances. There’s transparency in everything. Everyone lends a helping hand if you’re facing challenges, and the bosses are super cool!” – Siddhartha Losalka

 

“The Edge provides necessary freedom and ownership to drive passionate individuals to succeed in their career and help entrepreneurial organizations’ to make better hiring decisions.”- Shashikant Bomma

 

If you want to learn more about recruiting as a career path, talk to us. And if you’re stuck in a rut and looking for a new job, check out what industries we cover. If you are interested, just apply here!