How to achieve a work-life balance as a recruiter!

Many recruiters have probably read that first sentence and laughed. “What work-life balance you may say?”, “That is a myth, it doesn’t exist!” Well we are here to tell you that it is possible. It is almost tempting to have it painted on every building in London, the fact that work takes up over 70% of our lives. We spend more time at work during the week and with our colleagues then we do our own families.

Recruitment is a harsh and non-stop environment that demands every single ounce of your effort, pretty much 10 hours a day for most. It may not be for everybody and you will learn very quickly if recruitment is your calling or not. Some people use it for the London experience, a stop gap job or are genuinely motivated by the prospect of making money.

It is so important to work within a recruitment agency that does not see you as just a number. Those companies will be your friend while you are making money and forget your name when you’re not. They will also replace you very quickly as for them, the priority is profit. Hence, recruitments bad reputation for being a cruel and brutal industry. Trust me when I say not all recruitment agencies are like this, usually it stands the bigger the company you go for, the quicker you will understand that typical reputation.

Breathe baby breathe! Are you currently a recruiter? Have you ever felt like punching someone in the face daily? Then, YES! You most certainly are a recruiter. The biggest piece of advice for new recruiters or those who have been running with it for years, breathe. It may sound simple but if you go into the industry fully aware that it is hard work, you will be rejected daily, and the successes are fewer than the failures – you will be able to handle it. Recruitment requires a firm business face and the discipline to keep organised and calm under pressure.

Be protective of your time! If you see a mad man or lady, running around when you are grabbing your lunch, taking calls and eating on the go – then nine times out of ten it will be a recruiter. Not just within recruitment, but a lot of us are guilty for not taking our lunch breaks because we feel managers will judge us. I do not mean to alarm you, but if an hour is in your lunch break then you should not feel guilty for taking the entire sixty minutes. It is the best way to avoid a flaking afternoon when you have recharged your batteries. Those of you with families will be able to appreciate more than most how important time is and working 7am till 8pm every day – you will crash and burn!

If you are fully confident that you have completed your work and done the best you can, then you need a break.

Does the thought of having a lunch break baffle you? Well, cranberry panda to the rescue, look at our most recent blog on the best ways to spend your lunch time.

Where has all the time gone?! Ever get to midday on a Friday, look back on your week and think, “What have I actually been doing with my time?” I am confident we are all guilty of feeling that from time to time. The only problem with recruitment, is that it is an industry which demands your full attention. So, if one week you slack off, then the following week your dials will be red, and your manager will be giving you a very concerned look. It is vital to utilise your time wisely whether it be an hour or a full day. Find out what works best for you, whether it be reminders in your calendar, notes or a schedule you tick off as you go along. That way, when it gets to Friday afternoon and your colleagues are going to the local bar for a drink, you can go and happily leave work in the office.

Work hard, play relaxed! That’s right folks, down time is winning when it comes to a choice between a night in with pizza and a drink or, a crazy night out in the city with the memories of being sick and a kebab. You may be a pro at organising your working week but when it comes to the weekend it may not be your strength. Be selfish and take some time for you, leave work where it is and give yourself a chance to unwind and … not think! In recruitment it is so hard to not want to email or makes calls at the weekend. You will also find that LinkedIn will replace your Facebook very quickly. Make the conscious effort to leave weekends for you, that way you will be ready to go Monday morning.

So, see how working smart, organising your time and taking your breaks in recruitment = happy life!

There is no easy fix to making recruitment easier but picking the right company, being in control of your time and being able to justify your output will help you feel less along for the ride.