Always Be Hiring: The Power of “The Long Hello” in Recruitment

A Recruiting Strategy You Need to Know About

Enter the concept of peripheral engagement, a strategy that is slowly making waves in the world of recruitment, thanks to people like Jim D’Amico at Caliber Collision. Jim is the master of this approach. He is the guy who always has an eye on potential future hires, even when there’s no immediate role to fill. Through peripheral engagement, Jim consistently connects with prospects long before they’re needed, positioning himself as a trusted advisor in their professional journey. It’s a simple, but powerful idea: Reach people before you have a job to offer them, and you will always have a rich talent pool to pull from when you need it most. 

If Peripheral Engagement sounds too cold and academic, then throw some sneakers and a pair of sunglasses on it and think of it as: Relationship Recruitment. Seed Hiring. Future-Fit Recruitment or an AI-suggested favorite: Talent Tailgating (ok maybe not that one). It’s about building relationships for opportunities that do not yet exist. 

Why It Works: The Psychology of Familiarity 

The science behind this strategy goes deep into the psychology of how we interact with the world. We, as humans, are wired for shortcuts. Our brains love familiarity and comfort, and peripheral engagement taps right into that. When you consistently engage with someone over time, even without an immediate need, you create a relationship that feels natural and trustworthy. You’re not just a stranger popping up with a job offer out of nowhere; you’re a familiar figure; someone who has been present in their world for a while. 

Donald Miller’s StoryBrand approach explains this perfectly. People don’t want more data; they want stories that resonate with them. They want a brand they can relate to and trust. By consistently staying in a prospect’s periphery, you’re telling a story of reliability, consistency, and understanding. They don’t need to decide on the spot, but you’realways there, keeping the conversation going. Over time, this builds the trust that is essential for making a successful hire. You’re not just one more recruiter in a sea of options. You’re the trusted guide who’s been with them through the journey all along. 

Have you Cake (or PIE) and Eat it To… 

The Seven Principles of Peripheral Influence Engagement (PIE) in Recruiting 

So why does peripheral engagement work? Well, it’s deeply rooted in Robert Cialdini’s principles of influence. These seven principles shape the way we interact, make decisions, and ultimately choose where we invest our time and energy. Here’s how you can apply each of these principles in your recruiting efforts: 

1. Reciprocity 

People feel obligated to return favors. If you offer value to candidates over time, whether it’s insights, industry knowledge, or even a simple conversation, they’ll feel more inclined to engage with you when a role opens up. A small gesture of goodwill today can lead to a big commitment later. 

Practical Application: Share a helpful article, provide career advice, or just check in with an email. Over time, these small acts of reciprocity will strengthen your connection and make your future asks more likely to be met with a positive response. 

2. Scarcity 

We’re wired to value scarce things. When you position a job or a candidate as “exclusive” or in high demand, you spark that sense of urgency. In peripheral engagement, scarcity can come in the form of limited-time opportunities to chat or apply, or an invitation to a specialized event that’s only open to a select group. 

Practical Application: Reach out to top candidates with exclusive insights or invite them to events or webinars with industry leaders. These opportunities create a sense of exclusivity that compels people to engage. 

3. Authority 

People are more likely to follow the advice or direction of someone they see as an expert. When you consistently engage with top talent and share insights that demonstrate your industry knowledge, you build your authority in their eyes. 

Practical Application: Share case studies, whitepapers, or thought leadership content to position yourself as an expert. The more value you provide, the more people will trust you when the time comes to make a hiring decision. 

4. Commitment and Consistency 

We are naturally inclined to stay consistent with our past actions. When you get candidates to commit to small actions early on, they are more likely to continue engaging with you. In peripheral engagement, this could be something as simple as agreeing to have an introductory chat or responding to a thoughtful email. 

Practical Application: Ask candidates to take small steps toward engaging with your content or speaking with you. Once they’ve committed, they’re much more likely to stay consistent and consider you when a job opening arises. 

5. Liking 

We are more likely to be influenced by people we like. If you’ve built a relationship with candidates over time, if you’vemade them feel comfortable and valued, they’re far more likely to consider you when the time comes. 

Practical Application: Build rapport with candidates over time. Take a genuine interest in their goals and aspirations. The more they like and trust you, the more likely they are to work with you in the future. 

6. Social Proof 

People are influenced by the actions and decisions of others. If others like and trust you, new candidates will too. This is especially powerful in recruiting, where seeing peers or colleagues engage with you creates a sense of trust and legitimacy. 

Practical Application: Share success stories, testimonials, or case studies that demonstrate your ability to place top talent. This will create social proof that reinforces your reputation as a trustworthy partner. 

7. Unity 

Humans are naturally drawn to groups and communities. When you create a sense of belonging or unity, you encourage deeper engagement. In recruitment, this could mean positioning your company or your brand as one that values inclusion and alignment with candidates’ values. 

Practical Application: Build a community around your company’s values. Share the impact of your work, your company culture, and how candidates align with your mission. This creates a feeling of unity and makes candidates more likely toengage with you long-term. 

The Wrap Up 

Peripheral engagement isn’t just a strategy. It’s a mindset, a mindset that positions you as the trusted guide in the journey of your future hires. It’s the subtle art of staying present, adding value, and building relationships long before the need arises. And, as we’ve seen with Jim D’Amico, it’s an approach that pays off in a big way. 

When you stay in someone’s peripheral vision, you aren’t just a recruiter; you’re a potential partner, a mentor, and, ultimately, a pivotal part of their career story. It’s about creating comfort through consistency, connection through content, and trust through authenticity. 

At Titus Talent Strategies, we believe in high-tech, high-touch recruiting; leveraging the latest tools and strategies, butnever losing the human touch. We can understand people on a heart level that truly sets us apart. 

We recently had the privilege of hosting Jim D’Amico during our weekly huddle, and his insights on building relationships before you need them are something we live by at Titus. Our team doesn’t wait for the need to arise; we’realways engaging, always listening, and always ready to connect with the right people at the right time. 

Ready to Start Your Recruitment Journey? 

At Titus, we don’t just find talent. We build partnerships, and we have Partnership Plans to help you build, whether you need an immediate hire or you’re in planning mode. 

If you’re ready to adopt a peripheral engagement strategy in your recruiting efforts or simply want to connect with our team of people experts, we’re here to help you secure quality talent for lasting impact. 

Let’s start building something great together. Reach out to us at Titus Talent Strategies and see how we can help you create a recruitment experience that’s both personal and powerful.