Why We Attend Networking Events: The Human Side of Recruitment Agencies

Networking events: love them or hate them, they are a staple in the professional world. For recruitment agencies like ours, these events are not just about finding new clients or candidates—they’re an opportunity to showcase that behind every recruiter is a real, normal person. Yes, we know people often harbour a certain scepticism or even dislike towards recruiters, but we want to share why we attend these events and how we're working to change that perception.

Bridging the Gap Between Recruiters and Professionals

1. Human Connection: One of the main reasons we attend networking events is to forge genuine connections. In an era dominated by LinkedIn messages and email blasts, face-to-face interactions remind everyone involved that recruitment is, at its core, about people. By meeting candidates and clients in person, we can better understand their needs, aspirations, and concerns.
2. Building Trust: Trust is a fundamental element of any professional relationship, but it’s not something that can be built overnight or through digital interactions alone. By participating in networking events, we aim to show that we are not just voices behind a phone or words in an email, but real people committed to helping others achieve their career goals.

Dispelling Myths About Recruiters

1. We Are Not Just About Quotas: There's a common misconception that recruiters are solely driven by the need to fill positions and meet quotas. While targets are part of our job, what truly motivates us is matching the right candidate with the right opportunity. Networking events give us a platform to communicate this directly and candidly.
2. We Care About Your Career: Many believe recruiters are indifferent to candidates’ career aspirations and are only interested in quick placements. By attending these events, we can demonstrate our genuine interest in candidates’ long-term career growth. We take the time to listen and understand their journey, ambitions, and what they are truly looking for in their next role.

The Benefits of Networking Events for Everyone

1. Knowledge Sharing: These events are goldmines of industry knowledge. We attend not just to recruit but to learn. Understanding the latest trends, challenges, and innovations in various industries helps us provide better guidance and support to both clients and candidates.
2. Community Building: Networking events are not just about individual connections but also about building a sense of community. We get to be part of discussions that shape industries and contribute to creating a supportive network where professionals can grow together.

Breaking Down Barriers

1. Personal Stories: Everyone has a story, including recruiters. By sharing our personal experiences and challenges at these events, we aim to break down the barriers and humanise our profession. We have families, ambitions, and challenges just like everyone else, and understanding this can foster mutual respect and empathy.
2. Transparency and Honesty: Transparency is key in any relationship, and the recruitment process is no different. We use networking events to be open about the challenges of recruitment, the realities of the job market, and the efforts we make to ensure fair and beneficial matches for both clients and candidates.

A Call to Give Us a Chance

Next time you see a recruiter at a networking event, remember that we are there to connect, learn, and support. We attend these events not just for business, but to build genuine relationships and show that we are here to help, not hinder.

Recruiters are often seen through a lens of scepticism, but we invite you to see us as we truly are—normal people with a passion for helping others succeed. By attending networking events, we strive to change perceptions, one conversation at a time. So, come say hello at the next event. Let’s have a chat and see how we can work together to achieve great things.