Do you have any advice for how to deal with being a Recruiter?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 03:14:17 -0400

I have a friend who has become an NCO and has gotten into Recruiting. She's expressed difficulty with dealing with potential Recruits which I can imagine can be difficult on a Recruiter attempting to get people on board. Do you have any advice I can pass her way on how to deal with people and the frustration involved in the job?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 3:15 AM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 03:15:36 -0400

Be patient. Be very patient. you are dealing with customers and you want to sell them on the Army. Every situation is different so she will have to decide on her own how to handle it as the situations arise.

Oh and whiskey...lots of whiskey.

Response by SSG James Behnke made Oct 27 at 2017 3:16 AM

SSG James Behnke — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 03:16:40 -0400

Be prepared to work extremely long hours!

Also, you get out of it what you put into it.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 6:19 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 06:19:15 -0400

It’s a process, the first year is the hardest because you have to establish yourself. After a year and putting the work in, it gets easier.
I tell every new recruiter to have fun. Figure out a way to incorporate something that they enjoy into their week. Like video games- spend time at the places they sell them. Like football- become an assistant coach or pass out programs at the games. I ran with a few of the cross country teams to get ready for the Army ten miler. It works, you just have to be patient.
And above all- when conducting the appointment be sure to ask the prospect to join. Yup, it’s that easy and more often then not the reason recruiters struggle is that they are afraid to ask that question. Prospects know who you are, what you are doing, they expect the question - ask it!

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 8:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 08:37:45 -0400

Tell her to just be herself, and always be as honest as possible. Knowing the features and benefits of what the Army has to offer is a must. There are always questions that you may not know how to answer, so tell applicant you will research it and get back to them. Then make sure you do follow up with the applicant. I recruited for 14 years, and if you tell an applicant something that isn't true, it's like poison!

Response by SFC Timothy Sturgill made Oct 27 at 2017 1:41 PM

SFC Timothy Sturgill — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 13:41:29 -0400

There are several things she can do. First, she needs to build rapport with her prospects. In doing this, she needs to be herself. She needs to remain professional, but personable. She also needs to engenders interest, but remember, on average, a very small percentage of people are ready, willing, and able to join the army. Don't take it personal. Plant positive seeds, because you never know who will come back to you later. Never burn bridges. The key is to talk to as many people as possible everyday. If you don't talk to people, you won't gain applicants. It's that simple. Always do something everyday to take care of yourself, and break the stress. Do PT, spend some quality time with family, read a good book, or whatever it is that does it for you, do something to shake off the negativity. Remember always, prospecting takes time, and if you don't invest time you won't get results. Waiting on a walk in to process won't make your mission long term, so you have to be intentional in making yourself successful.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 3:55 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 15:55:11 -0400

My biggest challenge was adopting the right attitude. I was DA select, and for the first year, let that keep me bitter. I thought, "After three years, this nightmare will be over and I'll go back to my original job." While this is true, I set myself up for failure. I failed to set my mind to the tasks in front of me by concerning myself with what would happen in three years.

I didn't appreciate recruiting, but once I changed my attitude about how I would spend my energy, I got better at it. You tend to like stuff more when you're good at it. While I still favor my original job more than recruiting, I learned a lot more than I thought I would.

BLUF: Get on board, enjoy the ride, and get off in three years or convert!

Response by SP5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 4:02 PM

SP5 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 16:02:24 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member Read/attend/on-line study sales and marketing to help her understand the nature of the task she has been assigned. Gaining knowledge about the sales approaches that work/don't work should help relieve the stress. Then, as many others have posted, get into the game. Good luck to her - her results are the foundation of the Army's future.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 27 at 2017 8:36 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 20:36:21 -0400

MSG Private RallyPoint Member has an amazing comment, one I very much wish I had read when I first started Recruiting.

I'd like to add one more thing: I started being a successful Recruiter when I quit being a Recruiter, and started just being a NCO.

The task of any NCO is to shape and guide soldiers, young adults. Recruiting is about a lot more than just getting people to sign- it's being the public face of the Army. Show young men and women your skillset, and train them in it. I was a Drill Sergeant, certified personal fitness trainer, and weightlifting instructor- so I went to every gym and school sports team and offered my help. This was my passion, I didn't need to hide it, and so I found others who were just as passionate and got involved. -That- is the connection you need.

Just -existing- in your uniform will invite interest in the Army. That's when you schedule an interview. Otherwise, I don't even talk Army unless it's brought up by someone else. Be a human first, a NCO second, and a Recruiter last.

And Private, to you, personally- you're doing a great thing by helping. Recruiting is the single most stressful and difficult job I've ever had. We need support, and many NCO's are too stubborn to admit it. Keep this up, you'll make a damn fine leader.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Oct 28 at 2017 1:07 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 13:07:00 -0400

Remember the training she received in the ARC, adapted it to her personality and tell as many people as possible her Army story. Last, never for get to ask people to join.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2017 6:16 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:16:25 -0400

You must be 100% honest with potential applicants and the public. Don’t make promises you can’t keep and go by the regulations. You are an NCO, never beg for someone to join the military.

Response by SFC Fred Youngs made Nov 12 at 2017 12:54 PM

SFC Fred Youngs — Sun, 12 Nov 2017 12:54:22 -0500

Be Patient and above all always tell the TRUTH Do NOT Lie. I needed a waiver to get into Recruiting. I was 52 a Retiree Recall when I went to Recruiting School. My station Cdr. tried to change my style. I had Gray Hair and a Crew Cut I did dye hair and Mustache. I made it and enjoyed it. Where did I hang Football and Hockey rinks. Wear your gear when not in Uniform hell I still wear Army. As some of the others stated have fun with it. I still have friends where I was at last.