That statement is music to every Contract Recruiter’s ears!  My previous message discussed creating your plan to search for a new Contract Recruiting assignment and work the plan to “get hired”.  Well, now that you have successfully attained that “great new contract assignment”, what should you do?  Yes, keep your search plan active to identify future assignments is one right answer.  But, an even more important action is to of course get up and running with your new client in an organized and efficient manner.' h) Z7 W" i' Z/ ]1 i# N+ s
3 m* _; g3 S. M! L( b
4 U1 p5 ?, S; W* b$ |( V( R+ X- f
7 k$ N9 W4 @1 F( t/ ]5 L. ]1 }+ V, s
So that sounds like the obvious right?  No, I think it may be too easy to shout a sigh of relief in finding the new contract and then sit back and be a little complacent with your all so important new client.  Now is the time to roll up your sleeves and get the “experienced recruiter” juices flowing and then hit the new assignment running.

What can we do to better prepare ourselves for the new assignment even before day one on the job?  Here are a few thoughts:
) ^; Q2 x0 o, ]" \/ t
; _8 O6 d7 X1 y8 E! M
( h8 a( y6 s. U" X9 ?Practice your company research skills by researching your new client extensively:5 J0 I$ L! D  p) N9 B+ V* M

, U4 T+ G( l) m0 x. r) D* }) x– Since you have already learned a lot about the client in your interviewing process, you should be able to dig deeper in to their operation to prepare yourself with helpful recruiting background on their products or services, locations, history in business, etc.' K( @+ g& B% S8 M8 b6 l7 b9 u

, |7 c8 i7 m! K. z- p
: I- o0 m" [- iOrganize your recruiting and office tools:9 V* V1 w& L$ Y( P$ _3 |

/ k1 ^' J) h; w8 {* d" Y: A– If you are working virtual, get your desk and office in order.  Clear out those old stacks of recruiting records from your last client and get ready for the new one.  If you are going on-site; determine what you want to take to your new office location and what you will need for basic tools to start at the new location.  Don’t show up day one and ask for a pad of paper and pencil!
4 N" E. `% F. }& u( u8 h$ q0 V* z5 r9 V
* w$ X' f% x* I% `  B( z0 x1 U: L6 S7 Y0 V: A
Brush up on your technical jargon: ' \$ B0 A' y+ e# C3 n, y) R& q

, |' {5 ]& u" \! Y– You already know from the interviewing sessions some of the positions you will work on to source and recruit for this new client.  So, make sure you are current in that field of business with your terms, certification knowledge, degrees required, etc.  Take the time to start prepared with the new client.  
  D7 d& E" G/ Z& D
. `6 ?& q- H9 ^( t# A  S2 z* M# V9 y4 S( B- k8 x4 P/ f1 [
Up-date your network:
" H& v. t2 A+ ?/ g- ^; U% o( F4 W4 r2 {+ Y, a% }% |/ r
– It’s a great time to make contact with your network to let them know you are starting a new assignment and how to contact you in the future.  Remember, this is a contact assignment and probably will not last forever.  You may need that network to be fresh for your future Contract assignment search.  You may also want to utilize your network in your new assignment for sourcing.
% I' e1 @) f" V# M. @3 URemember, “You’re Hired!” means the new client is depending on you and your years of recruiting and business experience.  When you start a new assignment, what do you do immediately before and during the first few days on the job to better prepare yourself?