3 Tips to apply to how you recruit

The guest blog is written by an extremely talented writer, Jessie Davies. She works as a Marketing Manager at Signable which is an electronic signature platform that helps businesses get their documents finalized faster.

Interested in finding out what Game of Thrones has to do with recruitment and HR? Take a look.

Game of Thrones – 3 tips to apply to how you recruit

Game of Thrones is easily one of the most popular shows around today, with everyone patiently waiting for season 7 to start in July. But once you take a step back from staring at your horrified face reflecting back at you in the black screen just before the credits roll, you can see there’s some solid advice found in the Seven Kingdoms that can be applied to how you do recruit. Here’s our top 3 takeaways…

1.”Winter is coming”

Well, technically, now winter is here. But for the last 6 seasons we’ve been waiting patiently whilst being reminded with this infamous line that it’s on its way. And I don’t know about you, but no-one seemed to be preparing for it. Or, maybe that’s because a lot of stuff has been happening up north. Which leads me to my point – always be prepared.

“In recruitment, it is always better to plan ahead than trying to play to catch up when it’s too late.”

I’m sure none of the Starks were even remotely prepared for Winterfell’s, or their, fall. But that’s how unfortunate events work – they sneak up on you. Or they actively conspire to betray you in an attempt to control the throne. But I digress. In recruitment, it is always better to plan ahead than trying to play to catch up when it’s too late. By preparing for a metaphorical winter and looking to the future you can help avoid unforeseen circumstances. Keeping on top of the latest technology trends and watching how others are doing business within your sector is one way to make sure you’re not left trying to catch up. Whilst taking note of when seasons are quieter, and how to handle the extra activity when it’s busier, will lend to less stressful times in the office. And by keeping this sort of preparation in mind and not taking your eyes off your goals, you can avoid ending up like our beloved Starks.

2. George R. R. Martin is ruthless – but you should be too

We’re talking processes here, FYI – not about getting bloodthirsty with your team.

It’s no secret that George feasts on the tears of thousands of GoT fans who still morn the red wedding. But taking on an emotionless approach with who gets the cut has definitely made for a more captivating and emotionally damaging story. Take this approach to how you get your work done. Does a process or tool actually help you get things finished – or does it hinder your day? Are you spending time on paperwork when there’s (literally hundreds) of software options that could easily take care of it? Don’t hold onto methods just because they are familiar.

“But in an age where there are options you can use that mean your days are less stressful, it’s worth investing the time to get used to a new way of working.”

Recruitment is a busy sector! So, take the time to assess which procedures for your daily tasks are needed, and if they’re not? Cut them out. Then see what can be adopted to simplify it. Will moving away from your usual approach feel inconvenient at first? Potentially. But in an age where there are options you can use that mean your days are less stressful, it’s worth investing the time to get used to a new way of working.

Plus, once you don’t have to sift through paper piles of CV’s, or can contact candidates via video instead of waiting for office visits, it’ll feel as awesome as when Arya finally avenged The Starks. We imagine.

3. When it comes to leading projects – keep it Khaleesi

If leadership is a virtue, then Dany has it in spades. The Mother of Dragons started in season 1 with a desire to get back to Kings Landing. A feat that has taken the loss of Drogo, losing armies of Dothraki to ruling armies of Sullied and learning how to tame dragons until her goal actually starts to transpire as an actuality. And how did she get there? With patience, solid self-confidence and some serious strategy.

So, as Dany has successfully shown; don’t be afraid to play the long game. Take the time to review what a client has asked for and be certain of what you want the project’s outcome to be. Take some time to reflect on decisions being made, what course of action is being taken and if it’s the right choice for what needs to be done. In business, the best leaders are confident, stay strong and plan ahead.

 “Learning how to recognise a good idea and running with it will instil confidence amongst your team that your ideas are the right ones to get behind.”

You also need to stick to your guns. If your gut feels right about something – then trust it. Daenerys literally walked through fire to get her dragons, despite being warned that she’d, ya know, burn alive. And then she ends up as the freaking Mother of Dragons. Learning how to recognise a good idea and running with it will instil confidence amongst your team that your ideas are the right ones to get behind. Just, don’t run with it literally through fire.