Why Recruiters Need to Embrace Learning in the Flow of Work
- Brainz Magazine
- Sep 24
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 25
Written by Ali Braid, Trainer and Facilitator
Ali Braid is a highly recommended trainer and facilitator of learning conversations. With over 21 years of experience working in the recruitment industry, Ali has trained thousands of recruiters to help them work smarter and enjoy their careers in this highly pressurised industry.
Recruiting never stops! Roles evolve, hiring demands shift overnight, and new tools hit the market monthly. For recruiters, the challenge isn’t just keeping up, it’s staying ahead. That’s where learning in the flow of work comes in. Instead of pulling employees away from their jobs for formal training, this approach delivers knowledge in real time, on the job, and in context. Think quick-hit videos on Boolean search tactics, just-in-time articles on sourcing from new platforms, or prompts that guide a recruiter through a new CRM feature. This isn’t some passing trend. It’s a smarter and more effective way for recruiters to grow their skills.
The problem with traditional learning
Most corporate learning is built around workshops, modules, and LMS platforms. I know better than anyone! These are fine in theory, but in practice, they can also miss the mark. Often, we need help when we are "doing," not when we are in the training room.
Recruiters are under constant pressure to fill roles fast. Asking them to block off two hours for a webinar isn’t always what is needed. Worse, that kind of training can often be disconnected from what they actually need in the moment, for that day or week.
The result? Low engagement, poor retention, and wasted time. What learning in the flow of work looks like for recruiters:
You’re sourcing candidates on LinkedIn, and a PDF gives you three tips on using advanced search filters more effectively.
You’re writing a job ad, and a smart assistant suggests language proven to attract more qualified applicants.
You get 3 new questions from your colleague that you can ask your clients to increase buy-in and authority.
No digging through handbooks. Just knowledge, delivered exactly when and where it’s needed. This is what learning in the flow of work looks like. It’s embedded, bite-sized, and laser-focused on real-world tasks.
The benefits for recruiters:
Faster skill development: When learning is embedded into day-to-day tasks, recruiters pick up new skills faster. Instead of cramming information in a training session and forgetting it a week later, they absorb it naturally while doing the work. It sticks.
Immediate impact on performance: Learning in the flow means applying insights instantly. That quick sourcing tip? It helps you find stronger candidates today. A better interview question? It lands better insights right now. The feedback loop is tight and so powerful!
Higher engagement: Recruiters are more likely to engage with content that helps them solve problems in real time. If a tool or tip saves them ten minutes or helps them close a req faster, that’s real value. That builds momentum.
Better use of tools and tech: Recruiting stacks are getting deeper, with CRMs, sourcing platforms, and AI assistants, but many teams underuse them and don’t even know how to use them properly. In-flow learning boosts adoption by showing recruiters how and why to use new features right when they need them.
Keeps your teams competitive: Hiring is a game of inches. One recruiter knows how to use AI to shortlist smarter. Another doesn’t. Guess who hires faster? Teams that incorporate learning into their workflow are better positioned to stay competitive, adapt faster, and deliver results.
How to make it happen
The shift to in-flow learning doesn’t mean scrapping formal training. It means supplementing it with agile, on-demand resources:
Use microlearning platforms, such as 7 Taps or browser extensions.
Integrate help guides and video tips directly into your ATS or CRM.
Encourage a culture of “learn and share” on Slack or Teams.
Have “lunch and learns” and share wins on a Friday morning.
Leverage AI to surface just-in-time recommendations based on activity.
Sign up for my marketplace – Get structures, scripts, and quick-win ideas when you need them. The live date is now the end of October (sorry, it’s taking longer than I expected). Get on the waitlist here to get first access.
Recruiters don’t need more training hours. They need smarter, more relevant learning built into the way they already work. That’s what learning in the flow delivers. Ask me how to get more learning in the flow of work on your desk. I would love to speak to you.
Read more from Ali Braid
Ali Braid, Trainer and Facilitator
Ali Braid is a trainer, facilitator, lifelong learner, and speaker. She has spent the last 16.5 years training, coaching, and mentoring leaders and recruiters within the recruitment industry in the UK and across the world. Dedicated to her own learning, Ali provides insightful and engaging online, virtual, and in-person training that enhances motivation and always increases the bottom line.
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