The ONE thing you need to fix a Bad Run..

In recruitment, we all hit bad runs—those frustrating stretches when the placements dry up, the billings go flat, and nothing seems to be going right. But what if I told you there’s only one cure, one magic pill, to turn things around?

It’s not some revolutionary strategy or secret technique. It’s simple. The only medicine to fix a bad run in recruitment is to make one placement. Yes, just one.

Why ‘One’ is the Key to Success

Now, you might be rolling your eyes and thinking “Well duh, of course I need to make a placement”. But the real magic isn’t in the word “placement”; it’s in the word “one.” Let’s break down why this singular focus is crucial:

  • Too Much on Your Plate: Whether you’re a junior recruiter or a seasoned pro, a bad run is often the result of being spread too thin. Clients are demanding your attention, and you’ve got too many candidates to handle. You’re overwhelmed, indecisive, and, ultimately, unproductive.
  • Diluted Focus: When you’re juggling too many things, you’re not giving anything the attention it deserves. Your energy is scattered, and your results reflect that. The solution? Simplify your life and focus on just one task.


The Simplified Approach: Focus on ONE Thing

If you’re in a slump today, here’s what you need to do:

  1. Stop Everything: Pause for a moment, look at your desk, and choose the most important thing. This could be:
    • The best job spec you have.
    • The top candidate in your pool.
  2. Focus Fully on That One Thing: Don’t even think about other jobs or candidates until you’ve given this one task your full, undivided attention.
  3. Do It Really Well: Whether it’s a full resourcing campaign that might take days or closing in on a candidate, pour everything you’ve got into doing that one thing at 100%. The result? You’ll start seeing movement. You’ll get traction. Suddenly, you’ve got three great candidates for the job, and the pipeline starts to fill up.
  4. Rinse and Repeat: Once you’ve nailed that one task, move on to the next. The more you simplify, the more results you’ll see. As the saying goes, simplify to multiply.



Why This Works

  • Momentum: Focusing on one thing builds momentum. Once you start seeing results from that singular focus, you’ll naturally feel more motivated and capable of taking on the next challenge.
  • Clearer Mindset: When your to-do list is cluttered, your mind is too. Simplifying your approach helps clear the mental fog, making it easier to make decisions and execute effectively.
  • Results Speak for Themselves: When you focus on doing one thing really well, you’ll achieve higher quality outcomes. And once the results start flowing in, you’ll snap out of that slump quicker than you can say “I’m in a slump.”


Final Thoughts

The key to breaking a bad run in recruitment is simple: make one placement. Just one. Focus on doing one thing really, really well, and you’ll start turning your results around in no time.

So, next time you’re stuck in a rut, take a deep breath, clear your desk, and focus on just one task at a time. Trust me, it works.

If this advice resonates with you, share this blog with someone who needs a quick hit of inspiration. And as always, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to The Lone Recruiter Podcast. Let’s spread the word and help recruiters everywhere simplify their lives and multiply their results!

Remember: The magic is in the simplicity. One task at a time, and you’ll conquer the slump.