Our Blog

BY Joel Junker

Cameron-Brooks Values Face-to-Face Personal Interaction

As a Junior Military Officer (JMO) headhunter (we prefer to be called a recruiting firm or recruiters), we believe in developing a personal relationship with our JMOs face-to-face. Most other JMO and traditional recruiting firms do not do this. This past week, I met with numerous JMOs across Germany, and these meetings reminded me that there is no substitute for the in-person connection and conversation.

All total, between travel, meetings and interviews, I spent a week in Germany away from the office and my family and met with JMOs in three different locations throughout Germany. Some of you may know that I have a family of four children at home who range from 4 to 12 years of age. It is hard leaving them for week and being gone for another weekend missing soccer games and swim meets. During this time away, I start to wonder if I could replace this week long visit with conducting webcasts, Skype or Facetime video calls and phone conversations. I ask myself, “Could I accomplish the same results?”

I gave my first presentation in Heidelberg, Germany last Saturday. After watching the JMOs take notes, fielding their questions, and then interviewing several of them, I had my answer: nothing can replace face-to-face personal conversation. Webcasts, Skype/Facetime, and the telephone are value added tools, but not a replacement for face-to-face. In fact, at the end of one of my interviews, one JMO voiced a concern as to whether he would have additional face-to-face meetings with a Cameron-Brooks Recruiter, despite being assigned to Coleman Barracks, Germany. I assured him that my plan is to have a Cameron-Brooks Recruiter in Germany twice a year, and possibly three times. He said that that made a significant difference in his decision to partner with us.

I find it much easier to fully evaluate a candidate’s marketability during face-to-face interaction. Likewise, I know the JMOs are also evaluating Cameron-Brooks when they meet with me – and they should! I want them to evaluate Cameron-Brooks based on personal interaction and not just on this blog, 1,000+ Likes on Facebook, or our Website. It is absolutely a two-way relationship.

Finally, when we partner with JMOs, part of our mission says, “Cameron-Brooks will help candidates reach their utmost potential—personally and in their career—by equipping them with the tools they need to transition from the military to a career as a future leader in one of America’s top companies.” Ensuring we understand the JMO candidate’s qualifications and interests is best done personally. While we have worked with some JMOs with whom we have not been able to meet prior to their Conference, it is rare.

For me, I am glad I made this trip to Germany. I met numerous talented JMOs who have served our country, accomplished incredible feats, and have tremendous potential for the future. As an individual and as a company, we continue to be committed to furthering our candidates’ success by making the effort needed to see them face-to-face.

From Germany,

Joel Junker