Why Not Yes?

By Rich Smith, 03-30-2017

I like to read. Always have. It's a way for me to turn off all the other noise and focus. Plus, I believe if you aren't learning you aren't growing. And I never want to be in that position.

LinkedIn is a great place for short blog pieces. If you aren't using it for that, I'd highly suggest it. There are a lot of great people out there with some amazing ideas. Recently there have been a few sales related pieces that have really focused on getting to the YES. While I understand our industry isn't sales, there are parallels that can be drawn.

Scott Anderson is a life coach/mentor type that writes a lot on there, and I really enjoy his work. It's short, to the point, and makes you really think. (Check out his website, doubledareyou.us) He wrote a piece back in July that addressed the YES, but in a very different way. He suggested we forget about the yes, and focus on the what. There is the parallel. Our what is really a why. Why are you traveling. What are your career goals? Recruiters are often too quick to push for the yes without understanding the what or the why. The yes is probably what's in their best interest, but not yours.

Here's an example. I have many great hospitals in St Louis that interview quick, pay well, and treat their travelers awesome. But what if you want the mountains? What if your goal is to get closer to family on the east coast? My St Louis options might be what's best for me, but not for you. Discovering the what is way more important than getting the yes. A good recruiter starts and ends with the what. After all, it's a relationship not a transaction.

Ask yourself. Are you in a transactional relationship with your recruiter now? Do they know the reasons you travel? Do they know your what is, or how you came to it? Are they thinking six months ahead for you, or are they just trying to achieve a headcount goal? Ask them next time you talk.