The Importance of Wellness in the Recruitment Industry

The business world has generally adopted the concept of wellness in the workplace. We acknowledge that a holistic view of health is extremely important to the wellbeing of employees and employers.

Employees who care for not only their bodies, but also their minds and emotions are generally happier and healthier all around. This makes for better performance and satisfaction in all areas of life, including their jobs.

These practices are especially vital in the recruitment industry right now. Let’s discuss why, as well as how we can help to care for the overall wellbeing of our recruiters.

The Nature of the Industry

Recruiting is a fruitful career, but it can also be stressful. There is a great deal of trial and error and rejection that comes with the successes of recruitment. Dealing with these things on a daily basis requires a certain level of self-care.

But with today’s 3.6% unemployment rate, this stress is only exacerbated. This means that there are fewer talented, available candidates on the market and more businesses eager to hire them. Recruiters must work harder to find good, high quality talent for their clients.

We’re also experiencing a higher rate of counter-offers and buy-backs, which means that hiring processes can fall apart at the last moment, leaving recruiters feeling deflated and defeated. This type of environment can also make candidates nervous throughout the process, which is definitely a detriment.

The candidates that recruiters work with are also changing. The talent pool is shrinking as many Baby Boomers enter retirement. The workers who are replacing them have very different wants and needs, which makes the hiring process a bit more complicated, since it’s harder to determine what kind of offer will land the perfect candidate these days.

Clients can also be nervous given the economic environment. Many industries are currently experiencing a boom and feel the pressure to hire. (Construction is a great example of this phenomenon.) Therefore, recruiters are feeling an equal pressure to deliver.

There are also geo-political factors at play right now which add stress because of unknowns and uncertainty.

With all this combined, many recruiters’ level of stress has never been higher. Professionals need to exhibit a level of detail in their process like never before. There is a lot of work to be done, which is great, but that volatility can lead to a stressful environment. Those recruiters who are newer to the industry are experiencing this for the first time, and it is rattling. Even more senior professionals are feeling the pressure.

So, how do we make sure they can combat this stress and take advantage of the opportunities in front of them?

De-Stressing the Situation

One of the most important things for recruiters to remember right now is that they cannot control everything. Identifying the things they can change and taking appropriate action is all they can do. If they learn to let the rest be, they can alleviate some of that pressure and stress, knowing they’ve truly done all they can. That can be a freeing and nerve-easing notion.

However, that strategy alone will not solve all a recruiter’s problems. Here are some other ideas and wellness concepts that can help recruiters to relieve and reduce their stress:

• Take breaks: Sometimes you need to walk away from your desk to recharge. It’s important to acknowledge when your body and mind are telling you they’ve had enough. Your schedule may be full, but do your best to incorporate an actual lunch break or walk into your day. The meetings and calls you have will be more effective if your mind is in the right place.
• Limit coffee intake: It sounds counter-productive, but it is in your best interest. Caffeine raises your stress levels, as anyone with anxiety will tell you. Try to cap your coffee at two cups per day.
• Get appropriate sleep: If you’re well-rested, you won’t need to rely on that coffee. You’ll come to work ready for the day and energized. Make sure you’re getting eight hours per night.
• Meditate: Recruiters’ minds are always moving. You have a million ideas flowing through your head at once. Silencing all of that and taking a moment for yourself can help you to re-focus and reduce stress at the same time.
• Exercise: Taking care of your physical body absolutely helps your mental state. In fact, those who exercise regularly can reduce both anxiety and depression. Yoga is a great option, as it involves physical activity as well as mindfulness.
• Make time for you: Work is extremely important, and recruiters typically love their jobs. However, when things are busy, many of us tend to let it consume us. Make sure you aren’t neglecting any hobbies or other activities you enjoy. Finding moments for yourself will help you maintain a healthy mindset.
• Talk about it: It’s more than likely that your teammates and coworkers are feeling the same way you are. Don’t let everyone feel isolated. Knowing that you aren’t alone in this experience and feeling free to speak about it can be helpful. It can also open the door for you to take care of each other – initiating team walks, taking fitness classes together, eating healthy lunches, etc.

There is a lot of opportunity in recruitment and it can be an extremely fruitful career. But nothing worthwhile ever comes easy. So, make sure that while you’re succeeding, you’re also taking care of yourself with these tips.

If you’d like to learn more about the recruiting world, reach out to Michael Page today.