Long after the years of training wheels, braiding hair and ballet, she continues to inspire and teach me how to improve, be the best I can be and have fun while doing it! So, in honor of Mother’s Day, Mom, this is what you teach, without even trying:

Find your passion
My mom worked at Kennedy Space Center for 30+ years, because it was what everyone in Titusville did. She had a great job and was a part of a great era; however, only after she “retired” from KSC did she find her second career through her love of cruising. She is incredibly successful, now recognized as a top cruiser by RCCL. She not only books the cruise for clients, she travels with them! Whether it’s in life or in work, be sure you are doing what you love and enjoy. The rest takes care of itself.

Network in Unique Nooks
After every cruise, she reports back with newly gained clients from a cocktail hour, sunrise walk around the deck, gym, jewelry stores on the islands. Venture out of your normal space and be open to meeting people from different walks of life, unique backgrounds, and yes, maybe a little scenery. You might be surprised.

Excitement Sells
When you love something, you tend to be excited about it, and talk about it naturally. Mom can’t help herself. Every conversation will ultimately have the word “cruise” or “booking” in it. She creates excitement. I’ve seen her gain a “customer for life” simply because they really like my mom, her energy, and because she talks from experience. Take it from someone who did not inherit the cruise gene, I’ve  been on over 15 cruises in my life, all thanks to my mom.

Know your Stuff and your Audience
Last night at dinner, she recited the tonnage of the latest cruise ship being built and cited the reasons for the smaller ship. She knows exactly what rooms to request, depending on what clients like to do. Do they want a quiet place, do they want easy access to the nightclub onboard, do they need wheelchair access? She knows because she averages one cruise per month (see first point above about passion!). Learn about your client by active listening, researching them, and adding value by giving them what they want or need.

Show Your Appreciation and Remember Reciprocity
My mom surprises her clients with tokens of appreciation (think wine and cheese waiting in the cabin), but she also gets to know her clients personally, and she inherently wants to help. She gets involved, she cares about a cruising client’s family member in the hospital, she traveled on a cruise to ensure the wedding she put together went off without a hitch (no pun intended). Recently, a client had been downsized from her job. I happened to mention a position I was recruiting for and at 2 a.m. the next morning, I am getting an email from my mom with her client’s resume, who happened to be a fit. She’s always thinking!

Thanks, Mom, for the reminder. You are a testament in showing that working hard and playing hard can be delivered in the same package.

Happy Mother’s Day!

Debbie Ball
Director, MSi Consulting

As a Manager in the recruiting industry, I often wonder why it is so difficult to find good recruiters that are “in it” for the long haul. I remember sitting in my first interview with MSi Consulting, thinking  “This job seems like a piece of cake. How am I possibly going to fill my days?” Was I ever wrong.

This job is in constant motion. There is always something new to learn, job descriptions that you come across which seem impossible to fill – does anyone even do that job?? New industries to study and trends to wrap your arms around. Then there is the human element. I never thought I would have to be a psychologist or a become someone’s dumping post or cheerleader.

What I have found is that for every frustration, there is no better feeling than the one I get when I can take part in changing someone’s life for the better. No matter if you live to work or work to live, you have to work. Might as well enjoy the work you do. There is also great comfort in knowing that I helped a company locate an employee that will be a true asset to their team. Someone dedicated, happy to be there and interested in helping the company succeed. Recruiting is a difficult job. Definitely NOT for everyone. But, it is a good career and well worth the effort.

– Sherry Hall

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45081334/ns/business-forbes_com/

According to the article,  America’s Tough Jobs Even Tougher to Fill on www.ere.net, it seems that there are a lot of Companies experiencing difficulty in hiring. Would you agree with this statement for your company?  What is your greatest hiring difficulty right now? We would love to help.

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