Recruiter Jessica Bailey loves what she does!

The many reasons I LOVE being a Technical Recruiter:

1. Relationships: This is a given, but can’t be ignored as our business is essentially, “people”.  We interact with very different personalities and people (from Software Engineers to Executives to HR).  So being a chameleon is important, but also makes it exciting.  The best Recruiters care less about an immediate fill and more so about building lasting relationships with Software Engineers.  It’s not as corny as it sounds, it just makes sense on both sides to work with someone you know and trust.  Along the way, I have built a lot of true friendships.  I’ve been to tech meetups with candidates, their birthday parties, etc.

2. Competition: I LOVE the thrill of the hunt.  To find that purple squirrel, hidden unicorn that nobody else can find!  To get a win when nobody else could!

3. Create your own destiny: I am my own brand at the end of the day.  I can be a Bad Recruiter, a Good Recruiter, or a Great Recruiter, but at the end of the day, it’s all up to me! Do I get paid to go to networking events or tech meetups or to read the latest technical/recruiting blogs? No, but I do it to be the BEST at what I do… because I love it.  It also feels great when I overcome some of the recruiting industry stereotypes because I actually care. For example, a Software Engineer that I know well would never work with a Recruiter in the past.  However, he gave me a chance and now, not only or we good friends, but I have since placed him with multiple clients.

4. Every day is different: Our industry is fast paced and when working with people, the cards can change at any moment.  This may not be a positive for most, but I thrive on the changes.  When you are in a deep “digging” search and suddenly must drop everything for a “hot contract”- that’s exciting!

5. The “Tech”:  I did not grow up “techy” and never dreamed I would be in an industry that had anything to do with technology.  Today, I wouldn’t have it any other way.  I love the tech meetups, the constant technology shifts, the Software Engineers!  I get to be the person to know software projects and innovative ideas before they even happen. In fact, I get to be the person who builds out entire Software Engineering Teams that create those projects/innovate ideas.  If that’s not cool, I don’t know what is!