How to Land Retained Clients for your Recruitment Agency
Everyone wants retained and exclusive clients—but few understand what it really takes to outperform the competition. It’s not about luck or charisma. It’s about discipline, structure, and knowing your why. Here are the 16 traits I’ve developed over the years that helped me rise to the top—and stay there.
1. Reliability Builds Trust
If I say I’ll call, I call. If I say I’ll send an email, I send it. This simple habit builds deep trust and long-term relationships. It’s a cornerstone of lasting success.
2. Follow a Process, Not Luck
Having the right process isn’t about one-off success—it’s about consistency. When you follow a proven, structured approach, you can bill big every month, not just during lucky streaks.
3. Stay Motivated by Your ‘WHY’
Your motivation has to come from within. Define your WHY—what truly drives you—and let it fuel your daily efforts. When you have purpose, the long hours don’t feel like a grind.
4. Proactive Beats Passive
Smart recruiters don’t wait for the phone to ring. They ask:
- Who can I call today?
- Where’s the next deal?
- How can I do better than yesterday?
Small, daily improvements compound over time.
5. Be Amiable & Respectful
People want to work with those who are easy to get along with. Kindness and respect go a long way in recruitment—and in life.
“I don’t trust anyone who’s nice to me but rude to the waiter.” – Muhammad Ali
6. Be Approachable
Clients, candidates, and colleagues should feel comfortable coming to you. Recruitment is a people-first business. Approachability builds trust and positions you as the go-to expert in your space.
7. Honesty = Speed & Trust
Transparent communication accelerates everything. Be honest about timelines, challenges, and expectations. You’ll build faster, more sustainable relationships.
8. Know Your Market Inside Out
Become a student of your niche. Understand the companies, competitors, language, and major players. When you know more, you place faster and build deeper credibility.
9. Structure Creates Freedom
My day is planned down to the hour—even family time. It may sound extreme, but structure allows me to achieve more and stay ahead of the competition, without burning out.
10. Master Time Management
I don’t have more time than others—I just use mine better. Prioritize high-value tasks, avoid distractions, and protect your working hours like your future depends on it (because it does).
11. Stay Orderly
I keep things tidy and efficient. Files are where they should be, notes are updated, and I never waste time looking for what I need. This kind of order fuels productivity.
12. Integrity Is Your Foundation
I’m proud to work with anyone at any level—because I know I’ll deliver. Integrity isn’t just about being honest; it’s about being dependable. People trust me because I trust myself.
13. Outwork the Rest
I’m at my desk by 7 AM—not to prove anything, but because I want the edge. Hard work, paired with structure and intention, is a proven path to success.
14. Creativity Still Matters
Even in a structured role like recruitment, creativity is vital. I constantly rethink and improve my approach, applying creative solutions to industry challenges.
15. Be Thoughtful, Not Loud
I don’t need to dominate conversations. I listen, reflect, and return with constructive, thoughtful input. It builds credibility and shows maturity.
16. Be Punctual
Time is a sign of respect—for others and yourself. I’m always early, with something productive to do while I wait. It sets the tone and shows professionalism.
Final Thought: Think Bigger
There’s always another level. No matter how far you’ve come, there’s more to achieve—if you can see beyond the walls of your current cave. Don’t stop growing.
Conclusion
Retained clients are not hard—they’re easy to get if you do the work. If you want lasting success in recruitment (or any competitive industry), start by mastering your mindset.
