Derek Schlender

It's a lot of just, I've had experience in key areas that I know bring value to my clients. And then on top of all that, I would just say that their resume really matters. A resume for a star candidate happens. has to look like someone who hasn't moved around a lot. You know, there's occasions where a quick stint somewhere can be explained and that's okay.

It's a lot of just, I've had experience in key areas that I know bring value to my clients. And then on top of all that, I would just say that their resume really matters. A resume for a star candidate happens. has to look like someone who hasn't moved around a lot. You know, there's occasions where a quick stint somewhere can be explained and that's okay.

But again, I need to understand their story in a way that can be conveyed in a way that's understood and accepted. And then the last thing is just compensation. Because as much as we're talking about representing candidates, our primary responsibility is still our clients, right?

But again, I need to understand their story in a way that can be conveyed in a way that's understood and accepted. And then the last thing is just compensation. Because as much as we're talking about representing candidates, our primary responsibility is still our clients, right?

which is sometimes hard to think about when you're thinking about, hey, I'm representing talent and trying to go place them in the market. You still have to ethically understand, hey, my primary job is to solve a need for my client. A lot of that comes down to simple math. Does this candidate, are they someone who's affordable?

which is sometimes hard to think about when you're thinking about, hey, I'm representing talent and trying to go place them in the market. You still have to ethically understand, hey, my primary job is to solve a need for my client. A lot of that comes down to simple math. Does this candidate, are they someone who's affordable?

Are they someone who's commanding a salary that the market will support? Again, if I'm not niched, I don't know my market, I may not be able to answer that question. And I may not actually be able to add value to my client. Because if I bring them someone they can't afford, it's great that this candidate's a rock star, they can produce, they add all this efficiency value.

Are they someone who's commanding a salary that the market will support? Again, if I'm not niched, I don't know my market, I may not be able to answer that question. And I may not actually be able to add value to my client. Because if I bring them someone they can't afford, it's great that this candidate's a rock star, they can produce, they add all this efficiency value.

But if they aren't in the budget for what the client can pay, I'm wasting a lot of people's time.

But if they aren't in the budget for what the client can pay, I'm wasting a lot of people's time.

Yeah, that's a great question. I think, again, I'm going to probably beat this horse the whole time, but being very specialized is the key.

Yeah, that's a great question. I think, again, I'm going to probably beat this horse the whole time, but being very specialized is the key.

Because if you get a phone call from someone who is specialized to represent the niche you literally operate in as a candidate, as a professional, and someone calls you, it's a different conversation when you can convey to them, hey, the only space I recruit in is your world.

Because if you get a phone call from someone who is specialized to represent the niche you literally operate in as a candidate, as a professional, and someone calls you, it's a different conversation when you can convey to them, hey, the only space I recruit in is your world.

And so what I'm going to do first and foremost is I'm going to pursue understanding you as a professional before we, I mean, whether or not I have an opportunity that I'm recruiting for or not, that for me is the right approach. Even if I'm taking a search to market, because it's going to take me some time to truly understand if you're the right fit for this search.

And so what I'm going to do first and foremost is I'm going to pursue understanding you as a professional before we, I mean, whether or not I have an opportunity that I'm recruiting for or not, that for me is the right approach. Even if I'm taking a search to market, because it's going to take me some time to truly understand if you're the right fit for this search.

So even if there's a search, hey, I am specialized, I'm niche specific, let me understand your situation. And as we develop that relationship with the candidate, the beauty is the value we bring to our clients, it's not going after people who are thanking God that you called them on that Tuesday afternoon.

So even if there's a search, hey, I am specialized, I'm niche specific, let me understand your situation. And as we develop that relationship with the candidate, the beauty is the value we bring to our clients, it's not going after people who are thanking God that you called them on that Tuesday afternoon.

It's the people who didn't really have time to talk to you, but they start to catch, oh, there's a value in talking to this recruiter because they are actually in my space. Even if it's a quick conversation, I want to keep in touch with them. It's very relationally driven.

It's the people who didn't really have time to talk to you, but they start to catch, oh, there's a value in talking to this recruiter because they are actually in my space. Even if it's a quick conversation, I want to keep in touch with them. It's very relationally driven.