Your to-do list is on fire, your inbox is melting, and you haven’t had a proper lunch break since January.

Sound familiar?

But let me ask you this:
What does next week look like? Next month? Next quarter?

Because if you can’t answer that, you’re not forecasting. You’re just firefighting.

And firefighting might make you look busy, but it’s by nature reactive, it won’t make you the money you could be making.

The Forecast vs. Today Trap

Most recruiters are reactive. In some ways, it’s the nature of the job.

They answer emails, return calls, push jobs live, tee up interviews & are always waiting for work you have

But if you’re only focused on today, you’re already too late.

Top billers?
They’re always looking at what’s coming. They don’t just work in the week — they work ahead of it.

The Blood Test

I use a system called “The Blood Test” which is essentially, a deal health check.

Like a real blood test, you’re not just looking at what’s happening now. You’re scanning for red flags before they blow up in your face.

Here’s how to run one:

• Is your candidate interviewing elsewhere?
• Has anything changed since they last spoke to you?
• Are they still motivated to move, or just going through the motions?
• Is the hiring manager dragging the chain?
• Have they spoken to their partner about the move? (This one bites you in the arse more often than you’d like to think….)
• Is your client even ready to hire?
• Is there anything preventing the client from making the offer / is there anything preventing the candidate from accepting the offer.

Don’t wait for the wheels to fall off. Look for the cracks now so you can fix them early.

Forecasting in the Macro, Too

This isn’t just about deals. It’s about your whole quarter.

Every month, ask:

• Am I still on track for the quarter?
• Is the market telling me something I’m not listening to?
• Am I marketing into dead zones hoping something sticks?
• Is it time to pivot?

Three months goes fast, and it’s easy to drift off course if you’re not checking in with yourself regularly.

Bottom Line

Looking busy is easy.

Looking ahead takes discipline but that’s what makes the difference.

Forecast where the landmines are and act before you step on them.

That’s how deals get made.
That’s how top recruiters operate.
And that’s how you get control of your desk, not the other way around.

Happy Hunting