Time Management Tips for Recruiters

As a recruiter, you’re constantly juggling several tasks at once. If you’re not screening applicants, you’re working hard to advertise a job opening. Attracting applicants, reviewing resumes, and interviewing promising candidates all take time.

If you’re a recruiter, your time management skills are tested every single day. You probably enjoy the rush of multitasking. But how do you manage to keep track of emails, candidates, hiring managers, and reports — all while not missing any deadlines in the process?

Typically, it requires a good mix of dedication and phenomenal time management skills. If you’re a recruiter who feels like there’s never enough time in your day, this post is for you.

Here are five tips to help you stay organized and get more done in less time.

Why Is Time Management Important for Recruiters?

Time management is essential for everyone, and recruiters are no exception. If you plan your workdays, you’ll have a roadmap. You won’t have to waste time remembering when the next meeting is or panic when you realize you’ve missed a deadline.

With effective time management, recruiters will enjoy the following benefits:

• Results achieved faster
• Less time and energy wasted
• More leisure time at the end of the workday
• Increased feelings of fulfillment

The most significant benefit of time management for recruiters is that you learn how to stop wasting precious time. This allows you to carry out more tasks in less time and stay on top of your game.

Top 5 Time Management Tips

There’s no doubt that time management skills are crucial if you’re a recruiter. Here are five proven tips to help you make the most of your workday.

1. Take Quality Notes

You’re likely talking to many people in one day, both hiring managers and applicants. There is no way you’ll be able to remember every detail discussed in meetings or interviews. That is unless you take good notes.

Carry a notebook with you everywhere you go. Make it a habit to always have it on hand and jot down any important information. Review your notes at the end of each workday and create a to-do list for the following day.

Doing this every day allows you to make the most of your time and always have a plan in place. As you finish tasks, cross them off your list. You’ll learn to love the feeling of completing tasks on your never ending to-do list.

2. Try Not to Multitask

This is such a simple rule, but often one that recruiters most struggle with. Take a look at your to-do list and pick a task. Focus solely on this task. Block out all distractions by closing your office door, silencing your phone, and turning off any background noise. When you feel the urge to multitask, remind yourself that doing so will only decrease productivity and waste time. Focusing on one task at a time is key to executing it properly and getting on with your to-do list.

3. Establish a Morning Routine 

When you have a consistent routine, your mind and body adjust, and it becomes easier to wake up in the mornings and take on the day.

Establishing a routine is important; staying consistent is even more so. Here are some tips for initiating a proper morning routine that will have a positive impact on your workday:

• Get quality rest. There’s a reason 7 hours of sleep a night is recommended for adults. Getting sufficient sleep means waking up rested with a clear mind and improved concentration. Both lead to better performance at work.
• Wake up early. Starting your day at 6 am means you’ll have more time to make yourself a nutritious breakfast, do some light emailing, and prepare yourself mentally for the day.
• Exercise. Working out 30 minutes/day improves productivity levels by reducing stress, boosting energy levels, and increasing feelings of happiness.
• Listen to a podcast. Do you drive to work or take the bus? Either way, make the most of your daily commute by listening to an informational podcast that will help you acquire new skills.

It’s amazing what you can accomplish in a couple of hours when you get sufficient sleep, wake up early, work out, and listen to a podcast. Doing this every day will help you make the most of your days.

4. Take Breaks Throughout the Day

Take breaks as needed or in between tasks. Step away from your computer or workplace area when you take your lunch. As tempted as you may be to eat at your desk, step away to clear your mind. Taking breaks makes your workday feel lighter and helps you accomplish more, since you’re giving yourself time to re-energize.

A great way to learn when it’s time for a break is to set time limits on tasks. Don’t just work through them until they’re done; this often leads to burnout. You may have heard of the Pomodoro Technique, but have you ever actually tried it? Pomodoro is great if you’re someone who gets distracted often or if you’re a perfectionist that spends a little too much time on a given task.

The Pomodoro Technique is a method that helps you stay focused and on track by spending a certain amount of time on each task and then rewarding yourself with a 5-minute break. As you accomplish more tasks, these breaks get longer. Before you know it, you’ll be done with your to-do list in record time.

5. Prioritize Your Health 

Don’t get so attached to your work that you forget to prioritize your own wellbeing. There is no point in working so hard only to find yourself feeling stressed, unhappy, or disappointed. If you can do your job as a recruiter effectively and enjoyably, all while maintaining your health, why wouldn’t you?

Here are some ways to prioritize your health and wellbeing when you live the busy life of a recruiter.

Don’t Skip Meals

Have you ever been so short on time that you decide to skip lunch and keep working? You may feel like you’re being productive, but in reality, you’re causing your glucose levels to drop. Glucose is what gives your body energy, so by denying your body a lunch break, you’re also negatively impacting your mood, concentration, and productivity levels.

Learn How to Say ‘No’

When you have enough on your plate, learn to say ‘no’ to your colleagues. If you continuously say ‘yes’ to everything they ask, you’ll have insufficient time to complete your own work. You’ll also reduce your leisure time at the end of your workday, leading to unnecessary stress and burnout.

Set Time Aside for Fun

When was the last time you completely disconnected and took a break from work? You always want to leave a portion of your day available to unwind. Use this time to pick up a new hobby, play a sport, host a cookout, or take your significant other out to a movie. Whatever enjoyable activity helps you recharge your batteries — just do it!

Limit your Information Intake

Information overload takes place when you’re filling your brain with excess knowledge. You can end up burdening your mind to the point it cannot complete a simple task or make a decision. If you’re having trouble focusing on your work, take a step back and limit your information intake. This means limiting what you read or listen to — including social media, podcasts, and Youtube videos — until you’ve completed the task at hand.

Mastering Time Management | Final Thoughts

Mastering these five time management tips means you’ll increase productivity levels and make the most of your workday.

As a recruiter, you need to take quality notes to keep your mind on track. To-do lists will serve as your guide and increase performance levels as long as you stick to one task at a time. Once you establish a routine, learn how to stick to it. Take breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout, but most importantly, prioritize your health.

With this in mind, go out there and make the most of your workday!

Another way you can save time and effort as a recruiter is to work with a top background check service provider like ScoutLogic.

Get in touch with ScoutLogic today to learn how they can help you streamline your hiring process — saving you time and money.

David Garcia

David Garcia, co-founder and CEO of Scout Logic, is an industry leader in the bulk background check world. With his strategic acumen and expertise in the HR sphere, specifically in hiring, recruiting, legal compliance, background checks, and resume screening, he’s an invaluable asset and consultant.

David's counsel extends across the boards of ScoutLogic, YipitData, and Supplier.io, drawing from his impactful stints on the boards of Infutor and Avetta. With an extensive 25-year journey, he champions unparalleled B2B commercial leadership within data & analytics, significantly shaping the HR landscape.