Physician Recruiter

inSights

You’ve probably read your fair share of articles about why you should exercise, what it adds to your lifestyle and how it can boost your physical and mental health.

Although the tried-and-true benefits are pretty common knowledge, the national average for physical exercise still sits (pun intended) at only 51.6%, according to the Department of Health & Human Services.

Of course, there are countless ways exercise can improve your physical and mental health, but have you ever considered how it can actually make you a better recruiter?

Positive mindset and positive impressions

As you’re meeting candidates for the first time and sharing your opportunities, you want to put your best foot forward and be open, honest, fair and positive. Your attitude will be noticed by candidates, and even transferrable to how they feel about the opportunities being offered.

So, what does that have to do with exercise? According to Boston University Professor of Psychology Michael Otto, Ph.D., "the link between exercise and mood is pretty strong … usually within five minutes after moderate exercise you get a mood-enhancement effect."

With that potential, consider how the effects of physical activity could serve you in more ways than just a healthier body. As integrating exercise into your routine promotes a healthier mindset, it’s likely a positive and energetic attitude will become more and more effortless.

More energy to engage prospects

Similar to how your mood impacts candidates’ perception of you and your opportunities, your level of energy and enthusiasm is also apparent to those you’re trying to recruit. When you reach out to share an opportunity, candidates rely on more than just the job description to make a decision. The last thing you want is for a lack of energy as you’re recruiting to come off as a lack of interest in them, or the position you’re trying to promote.

That’s where physical activity can make a big difference. Rather than leaving you more lethargic, exercise prompts blood flow, releases endorphins and improves the body’s overall functioning. The result is a clearer head and even more energy to share the best of your organization - and yourself - with candidates.

Watch productivity skyrocket

It might feel like adding a workout to your day could cut into your time spent recruiting, but it could actually maximize it. In fact, exercise during the workday not only improves well-being, but also increases time management and workload completed on those days by a whopping 72%, according to research published in the International Journal of Workplace Health Management.  

The spike in productivity is huge when physical activity is added to the mix. Not only does it get you moving and add some variation to your workday, but it also helps you focus more and get more done. It turns out, taking a break for some exercise can actually help you cover more ground and make more connections than if you’d stayed at your desk.

Be a recruiter who remembers

There’s a lot of information you’re responsible for retaining and keeping mentally organized as a recruiter; keeping names and qualifications straight when so many have been skimmed might be challenging. But did you know exercise can make information easier to mentally store and retrieve when it’s time?

Physical activity has actually been shown to increase the size of the brain’s structure responsible for memory, the hippocampus. In other words, the more you sweat, the more you sharpen your memory. When engaging with multiple candidates, this means easier accessibility to the prior communications you’ve had and, subsequently, a greater likelihood of them feeling seen and remembered.   

Here are some additional tips for incorporating physical activity into your routine:

• Find your window - What makes sense for your lifestyle? Are you a morning person? A night owl? Start by setting aside at least 30 minutes before work, during lunch or in the evening to get moving.
• Take advantage of remote life - If you’re still working from home, you’ll have more flexibility in your environment and schedule to add physical activity. Consider using part of your lunch time to break up your workday and start the afternoon with a feeling of accomplishment.
• Focus on low intensity workouts - Don’t worry too much about the heavy lifting. Research shows low intensity workouts are more effective for boosting energy than high intensity training during the workday.
• Make it fun - Find a neighbor, colleague, family member or friend to take socially distanced walks or hikes so it’s something you look forward to at the end of a long day.
• Utilize what you have - You don’t need a gym membership or dumbbells to exercise. Take walks in your neighborhood, go for a hike, watch guided workout classes on YouTube or roll out a yoga mat in the living room and work on some stretches.
• Don’t overdo it - One of the biggest reasons people give up on exercising is because they push themselves too hard. Start slow and work your way up to longer and more advanced workouts.
• Consistency is key - You might be surprised how quickly an action can become a habit. If you can start spending 30 minutes every day doing some type of physical activity, in two months’ time you’ll see how seamlessly it has become a central part of your routine.