{"id":37431,"date":"2023-10-12T12:12:48","date_gmt":"2023-10-12T16:12:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pcrecruiter.net\/site\/?p=37431"},"modified":"2024-01-11T12:11:38","modified_gmt":"2024-01-11T17:11:38","slug":"guide-to-switching-recruiting-verticals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pcrecruiter.net\/site\/2023\/10\/12\/guide-to-switching-recruiting-verticals\/","title":{"rendered":"A Guide To Switching Recruiting Verticals"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"David<\/a>
David James, shown delivering his TED Talk “Why Resumes Do NOT Work<\/a>” in Las Vegas (Jan. 2020)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

The economy shapes the job market. Economic downturns can reduce demand in one sector and create a surge in another. In order to survive \u2014 and thrive \u2014 recruiters and recruitment firms sometimes need to reposition themselves to weather economic storms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We spoke with seasoned executive recruiter (and ‘O.G. PCRecruiter user’) David James<\/a> to gain his perspective on how to handle a switch in recruiting verticals.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Potential pitfalls of switching verticals<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some people come to recruiting because they want to make money, and it’s an absolute grind to them. I’ve always felt like getting somebody a job has this form of valorization. If you don’t love people and love talking on the phone, it doesn’t matter if you\u2019ve got the best vertical ever!<\/p>\u2013 David James, Executive Recruiter\u00a0<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s possible that given the right timing and right connections, you could slide into a new sector and put together a couple of lucrative placements. The thing is, however, you\u2019re now working outside your area of expertise. You\u2019ve left your core competency, and its marketing, on your previous desk, and that desk has now closed. You\u2019re in a new sector with no recyclable candidates \u2014 the talent pool of prospective placements who may not have fit one role but could potentially match your next one.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Switching verticals creates a gap in your industry-specific knowledge and skills and puts you in unfamiliar territory. You\u2019ll need to plug the holes in your knowledge, and fast. So be prepared to invest time and effort into upskilling. Without the established connections you had in your previous specialty, you\u2019ll also need time to grow your network. Different industries come with different compensation structures, so also be prepared for variations in salaries, commissions, and bonus structures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Change can be challenging. Clients may be skeptical about hiring a recruiter experienced in a different vertical. So you’ll need to earn their trust, demonstrating your transferable skills and commitment to excelling in this new market. Anticipate resistance from clients and candidates who may question your decision to switch. Some clients may even think you\u2019re using the new vertical as a stepping stone rather than getting into it for the long term. Be clear about your intentions and how this move fits into your career trajectory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The art of market mastery <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In any new vertical, you\u2019ve got to have market mastery \u2013 you need to aggregate all the talent. That\u2019s why you need a FILL statement \u2013 Function, Industry, Location, and Level.<\/em><\/p>\u2013 David James, Executive Recruiter\u00a0<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n

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\"David
David James recording an episode of the ‘Bit About Crypto’ podcast.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

A professional recruiter since 1988, David James loves what he does. He\u2019s also switched verticals enough times \u2014 from internal auditing to cryptocurrency to casinos to construction, and back again \u2014 to know that market mastery is the key to success. That\u2019s why, before jumping on the phone, it\u2019s important to truly understand the roles you\u2019re looking to fill and which types of candidates will offer the best fit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

F.I.L.L. (Function, Industry, Location, Level)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how a FILL <\/strong>statement breaks down\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n