What makes a good recruiter?

SSG Shavonde Chase — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 19:28:35 -0500

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made Nov 11 at 2016 8:03 PM

SPC Erich Guenther — Fri, 11 Nov 2016 20:03:55 -0500

Honesty and willingness to work with the applicant to help them achieve their goals. I am working with a civilian recruiter now. They are doing an excellent job so far. You can tell by the second conversation if the recruiter is going to represent you well to the employer or is in it just for the money. The latter you want to avoid. The same is pretty much true of Army Recruiters as well. Typically you can tell by the second conversation if they are in it to fill a quota or are interested in getting you the best position they can.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 12 at 2016 4:50 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 04:50:51 -0500

I would say honesty but it seems like some only appear to be honest. These young kids go in there and will believe anything the recruiter tells them and they come out with ridiculous expectations that the Army just can't meet. It's sad really.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Nov 12 at 2016 6:45 AM

Capt Tom Brown — Sat, 12 Nov 2016 06:45:07 -0500

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member might have some good insights into this question..

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 14 at 2016 7:50 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 14 Nov 2016 07:50:14 -0500

Capt Tom Brown , thanks.
For those who don't know, I have been selected as a CANREC recruiter and hopefully will be getting orders sometime soon.

It's about trust; knowing that you should tell your potential recruit, you future shipmate, the no-bullshit side, with respect to your branch of service. If I was in the person's shoes, I would want to know what is a possibility for me when I first get to boot camp, A-school and my first command. I want to know what it's like on a ship, small or big. I would want a real answer because this is a career choice I'm making and I need to be 100% sure of what I'm getting into. That's how my recruiter was, direct yet wasn't rude or overselling me anything. He told me what opportunities I had with the job I wanted to have, tips and guidelines to follow while at boot camp. I want to be that recruiter who pointed a person in the right direction. I want to be that recruiter to where when I walk away and I'm back on a ship, I run into that recruit and they are a 2nd, 1st, Chief or even officer. Even without them talking to me, knowing that they were able to excel in their career is enough of a "thank you".

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 15 at 2016 11:48 AM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Nov 2016 11:48:41 -0500

First - Remember that it's about the people and not he numbers. The day you see a kid as a number is the day you need to find a new profession.
Second - Make sure you fact check all of the information you give do not just go off what you heard.
Third - Make the person a priority whether they decide that the Army is for them or not. Helping someone apply for FAFSA and not join won't hurt you and takes very little time. In the end the fact that you care will will bring about better results and will help you gain trust and rapport within the community.
Fourth - Be humble not everyone is the best recruiter, but never let that stop you from trying to be the best at what you do. There are great days and bad days. This job is marathon pace yourself and do not let your emotions get the best of you.

I have been doing this job for a long time and it never stops. Embrace it love it and never quit making it about the people you are helping and you will be great.