There’s no doubt that AI has transformed the recruitment industry by streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency. However, it highlights the importance of recruiters being able to connect and evaluate candidates on a human level. In this article, we’ll explore some of the soft skills that recruiters need to amplify in the age of AI.
Communication Skills
Effective communication skills are the linchpin of successful recruitment. Recruiters need to be able to convey complex information, provide feedback, and build relationships, all with clarity and precision. LinkedIn states, “Communication skills have always been make-or-break for recruiters, but as conversations with talent, employers, and internal teams spread across more mediums, they become more complex…. while technology can help start conversations, recruiters with the right soft skills are better at drawing the right information from them…”
Brooke Stemen, Director of Corporate Talent Acquisition at Green Key, reiterates, “Soft skills are the secret sauce so to speak of a successful recruiter. For instance, if a recruiter does not have strong communication skills, they aren’t going to be able to have a conversation with a candidate to gain a full understanding of the candidate’s background or goals.”
Emotional Intelligence
“In recruiting we call it ‘training your gut’,” said Brooke. “It’s being able to understand the candidate and client to assess not only qualifications, but also the goals, motivations and fit of potential hires.”
Indeed states, “Emotional intelligence is the ability to recognize, understand and manage your own emotions as well as being able to understand and influence the emotions of others. It involves being aware that emotions drive behaviors and impact people either positively or negatively.”
Ability to Solve Conflict
The ability to troubleshoot adds immense value to the recruitment process. Recruiters with strong problem-solving skills can navigate the inevitable hurdles that arise, finding solutions that benefit both the client and candidate. Forbes notes that, “Recruiters often find themselves between two fires — the client and the candidate. It is important to be able to resolve conflicts and misunderstandings, quickly find possible ways out of the situation and build a strategy of behavior so that ultimately both sides do not suffer.” Brooke solidifies this by saying, “It’s important to see things from different perspectives and do your due diligence to find out exactly what’s going on and find the middle ground.”
Tenacity
Recruiters with tenacity persevere through challenges, ensuring a relentless pursuit of the best talent. Brooke notes, “There’s a lot that you can’t control as a recruiter. What you can control is how much effort to put into your work and the quality of your submittals. Ultimately, you should have high standards for yourself, your clients, and your candidates.”
Strong networking and relationship-building skills
LinkedIn highlights that, “In fact, LinkedIn’s Future of Recruiting research found that 73% of industry professionals believe relationship-building will be among the most important soft skills in the next five years. In a tight talent market, fostering relationships with top talent could be the secret to success. Related soft skills such as teamwork, interpersonal communication, and leadership can help smooth the complicated hiring process and give both employers and candidates the confidence they need to see the process through.”
Empathy
The ability to understand and share the feelings of others is essential in recruiting. A personal touch in recruiting can make all the difference. LinkedIn highlights, “The ability to put oneself in another’s shoes can help recruiters understand candidates’ needs and motivations, making them feel seen and heard. It can also foster healthy connections between colleagues and teams internally, which can have real benefits. One study found 61% of employees report being more innovative with “highly empathetic” senior leaders and 76% report being more engaged.”
Ultimately, these soft skills paired with a sense of curiosity remain the human touch that makes recruiting a deeply personal and effective process. Recruiters who master these skills will not only adapt to the changing landscape but set new standards for excellence.
