10 films every recruiter should watch
I love films. Films allow you to walk in someone else’s shoes, if only for a mile, and understand a small portion of their story. Some are more inspiring than others, but none is less important than the other. Here are films that inspire me, teach me and make me laugh.
1) The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) Stars Will Smith
The (true) story of what someone can achieve if they are motivated enough, no matter how difficult their circumstance. If you ever experience fear in your role, watch this film and think how lucky you are that you are not homeless and working for free in the hope that you might get a job. It also reminds me how lucky I am to be given a chance to control my own earning potential. Believe it or not, this is a rare opportunity; don't waste it.
2) Glengarry Glen Ross (1992) Stars Alec Baldwin, Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon
Sales can be a very tough mistress if it's not going well. And that when it's not going well it will be because you're making excuses. You will instantly recognise all the characters as individuals you have worked with in your sales career. And you cannot help but feel at least a little inspired by Alec Baldwin in the opening scenes, delivering some classic lines (which are often shouted playfully across) such as always remember your ABCs.
3) Wall Street (1987) Stars Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen
Great for inspiring you to go the extra mile but also a reminder that making money is not everything. There is always a human element, and acting without integrity will leave you feeling hollow.
4) Boiler Room (2000) Stars Giovanni Ribisi, Vin Diesel
Another motivational great, especially a speech to interns who are fighting to get the opportunity to earn ridiculous amounts of money as stockbrokers. Some more sales classics in here, but also the message that earning your money through immoral methods will leave you feeling at odds with yourself.
5) Thank You For Smoking (2005) Stars Aaron Eckhart
Sometimes it's all about how you present the information. And he who can come up with the best reasoning is often the victor. However, if you are trying to make something unreasonable appear to be the opposite, it will catch up with you, as your own conflicted sense of morality will work its way to the surface in the end. But some truly great lines of debate in this film.
6) Jerry Maguire (1996) Stars Tom Cruise, Renee Zellweger
Sometimes, when you actually try to do the right thing, it seems like you are being punished for it and it feels like the much harder way. Also, classically funny reminders for me of those clients (or candidates) when I was starting out, who made me jump through hoops for no apparent reason. We've all had them.
7) Lord of War (2005) Stars Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Jared Leto
While not a film actually about sales, you have to admire Ukrainian-American gunrunner Yuri Orlov’s (Cage) capitalist nature. An example of someone who really hustles and turns a deal, even with the most difficult and outlandish clients. Truly an insight into what it (sometimes) takes to put a deal together. Although his industry is morally bankrupt, and Yuri struggles with his own sense of morality, he gets the job done.
8) Cadillac Man (1990) Stars Robin Williams
Williams plays the archetypal salesman, who serves as a stark reminder of what it can be like to be on the receiving end of a pushy sales pitch. Watching someone negotiate under extreme pressure is rarely a comfortable thing, but watch it and see if you recognise any of your own behaviour.
9) Tommy Boy (1995) Stars Chris Farley, David Spade
Tommy has to sell a ton of brake pads to stop his family from selling his recently deceased father’s business to a corporation. Testament to the fact that you don’t need to be the sharpest tool in the box but you must refuse to be hampered by rejection, and you must be prepared to handle objections. It is also an abject lesson in how (not) to close.
10) The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard (2009) Stars Jeremy Piven
Just because it’s really funny, but also because it illustrates clearly how you have to be agile and flexible in your strategy to reach the end goals.
I hope I have encouraged you to watch something you haven’t seen. And at the very least, I hope I have encouraged you to watch something funny, just for the entertainment. Enjoy!
Alison Mulligan is a senior account manager at ERP recruiter Maximus
- See more at: http://www.recruiter.co.uk/personal-dev/2013/10/10-films-every-recruiter-should-watch/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_term=#sthash.lxvYuTRF.dpuf
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