From Recruiter Skeptic to Recruitment Pro: How to Be a Headhunter Who Gets It w/ Chris Yee

Some of the best recruiters used to be professionals who hated recruiters. That’s because they had to interact with wannabe headhunters who didn’t really take the time to understand the industry they were hiring for.

What companies and candidates want is a recruiter who feels like an industry insider - someone who goes beyond the general information most headhunters give. That’s why former professionals in specific niches make such excellent recruiters in that dig.

They can go into the business and be immediately different from the recruiters they used to hate. Being a recruiter who “gets it” often means digging deeper than what you’re hearing from HR. HR doesn’t feel the pain points of the person who needs the hire in their department. That’s where that industry experience comes into play.

How did Chris Yee go from a professional who hated recruiters to an exceptional recruiter in his own right? What did he do to be different from the recruiters he used to interact with?

In this episode, the founder of Zenith Search Partners talks about what drives success in this business, and why it hasn’t changed in 5 decades. 

Guest Bio

Chris Yee is the founder of Zenith Search Partners. Building on a base of experience in managing, leading and driving multinational organizations through emerging high-growth and market down-turn cycles, Chris is well-positioned to help his clients in the chemical industry attract and retain the top talent they need in today’s complex environment. Prior to launching Zenith Search Partners, Chris served as a product director for Univar, where he was responsible for setting and executing marketing strategy. He also managed corporate supply negotiations and procurement strategies, while enhancing and cultivating relationships with sustainable suppliers. Previously he was an account manager with Lubrizol, where he strengthened the company’s dominant market position by providing clients with value-added marketing services and introducing new lubricant additive products. To learn more, visit https://zenithsearchpartners.com/ and connect with him on LinkedIn. 

About Your Host

Vince Holt is the founder and CEO of Management Recruiters of Mercer Island. With 35+ years industry experience, he is the only MRINetwork team member to win CSAM of the Year, Person of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards. In addition to spending time with his wife, children and grandchildren, Vince has raced motorcycles for over 50 years, winning 5 National Championships.

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