I got a new client the other day. Typically, as a Sr Recruiter, you should get at least one new client every two weeks. I hope you can make the mental leap to ask “why, then, is getting a new client a big deal?” Well, inquiring spirit, let me explain why this one is a big deal and it is making me a giddy little disco diva.

A candidate I had been talking to for some time moved to this inoffensive middle American city when he got a new gig – unfortunately I did not provide him with that particular job. Anyway, it turns out his wife is a phenomenal copywriter who has worked at some of the marquee shops from Chi-town to New York.

Having had minimal contact with her, I was happy to hear from her the other day. She asked if I could help secure her a new gig. Unfortunately, despite telling her a month in advance which shops we here at the Zoo have contracts with, she contacted them on her own which makes us unable to help her any further with those particular agencies as is stipulated in any contract we sign.

But, again, she is an absolute rockstar, so I was not going to give up. There was this agency in town – a strong up-and-coming agency with about 25 people that do some sick-ass work – that we had unsuccessfully tried to get to work with us in the past. So, I told the candidate the situation and then started calling the shop. All I had to do was list the agencies she worked with on the VM and boy did I get a call back like lickity-split.

When I got on the phone with the owner/CD, I had a good feeling. He is a soft spoken decent guy. He is professional but not rigid; he is a creative spirit without being ambivalent. He was excited to meet the candidate, but there’s more. They have just started getting some national work with two well known brands. And what does it mean when an agency gets new clients? They need new people… that’s right. In our first conversation (last week) he tells me he needs three new Creatives.

Yesterday he told me he needs now about 8. I had to change my pants I was so excited.

“But Joyce,” you might be asking, “don’t most agencies use a few recruiters?” “Right dear reader,” I would promptly respond, “typically they do; and my name is Shawn, Joyce is just a picture of a funny looking disco diva… douche.”

So then I would have had to deal with competing recruiters like I always would so no big deal? Except this time the CD owner told me he had used a creative recruiter only once before me and it was a miserable time. So that means I am the only rooster in the hen house. WOWOWOWOWOWIEWIEWIEWIEWIE.

Also, on my first conversation with him he said they had a reputation for paying a his employees a little too well. He by no means meant that as a bad thing, it is a fact that he has embraced and used to get the best people in there. Once again, I had to change my pants.

He gave me my shot with my one original candidate and was so happy with not only her ability level but my easy “Bud Light” professionalism (as I have started to call it, please let me know if you think that is a little too douchey). And now this new client is going to pay off in spades. What an amazing situation this is.

So let’s summarize here: an amazing regional shop that has just started pulling in national accounts; no other recruiters to fight with; a Creative Director/Owner that adheres to prearranged deadlines (oh yeah, did I forget to mention that, when he says he will give feedback, he does… what a stud); and they pay very, very well, especially for the low COL of the city.

Ahhhhhhh… I feel good things coming.

Yours in perm-disco-love, Joyce.

PS. Besides Bohemian Rhapsody, did you know all the members of Queen sang on nearly every song they made? Cool, huh?

Wanna chat? Contact me at creativeteam@talentzoo.com

Technorati Tags: creative recruiter, ad agency, candidate, creative director