They have found him, the businessman. You have most likely seen him on websites trying to convey a very serious tone or businessman-like aura. He is everywhere: learn to speak spanish websites, recruiting software websites, manufacturing websites, grainy video from the 80′s and more.

Now I like stock images as much as the next guy, but in my opinion they should be used for objects, locations or action rather than your people. Your firm is unique b/c you and your people are behind the scenes helping businesses solve their hiring problems. We have yet to see a business started and ran by robots so until then people are the driver and the reason your business is different. In today’s world there is no reason not to use good quality photos from around your office to put a ‘face’ to the company. If you have a customer you’d like to profile, ask him/her to send in a photo or go on-site and take one yourself. Most smartphones sport a 5MP camera and point & click cameras will give you enough resolution for basic usage.

Shed Mr. Businessman and replace him with your people. It will only take a few minutes and you’ll be giving a real face to your firm rather than one used by thousands of other sites.

Just recently, I flew to Cincinnati for a weekend getaway. At 30,000 ft., I noticed most passengers opening their laptops or tablets and typing away at work projects…so “when in Rome”. Even though I took vacation time, my one-hour flight consisted of checking emails, editing, writing blog posts, etc.

With technology so easily accessible, people find themselves working 24/7. Do employees work outside of the office because they love their jobs, have tight deadlines; or has technology created a generation of work addicts?

Recruiting (especially in a bad economy) requires long hours to place candidates and have the heads up on the competition. I’m sure most recruiters have a laptop or cell phone attached to them. However, do you encourage your employees to take a break or leave work at the office for a night? Even a nice lunch away from the office can create a more refreshed employee ready to make more placements.