8 recruitment lessons you can learn from the Modern Family

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Recruit CRM Blogs
Published in
5 min readJun 9, 2023

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Want to take away some fun yet important recruitment lessons? Roll up your sleeves as it’s time to laugh and learn with our favorite sitcom- Modern Family!

Modern family recruitment lessons

Doesn’t recruitment feel like a rollercoaster ride, filled with ups and downs like the relatable characters of “Modern Family”?

This hit TV show has provided us with not only laughter and heartwarming moments but also hidden gems of wisdom that can be applied to the world of recruitment.

Let’s explore 8 valuable recruitment lessons from the Modern Family characters that are vital for the recruiters.

1. Leverage #RecTech for efficiency

Modern family recruitment lessons

Phil Dunphy’s famous love for tech resonates in the world of recruitment: “I love technology, always and forever.”

In today’s digital age, recruiters must embrace #RecTech to streamline their processes and improve efficiency.

Investing in an applicant tracking system, video interviews, and other recruitment tools will help recruiters simplify candidate sourcing, screening, and selection.

2. Embrace diversity and inclusion

Modern family recruitment lessons

“I’m embracing diversity. I’m dating a woman who’s not my wife.” — Jay Pritchett

This witty quote from Jay Pritchett, one of the central characters in The Modern Family, highlights the importance of embracing diversity in a light-hearted manner.

It serves as a reminder to recruiters that diversity hiring goes beyond just demographics and encompasses embracing different ideas, perspectives, and experiences.

Embrace candidates from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, as it can bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas and foster a more inclusive work environment.

3. Communicate clearly

Modern family recruitment lessons

Phil Dunphy’s humorous insight reminds us that “You can’t have a rainbow without a little rain.”

This teaches no matter how difficult the conversion is, always communicate with your candidates.

Clear and transparent text recruiting is one way to positive candidate experience.

You must provide your applicants with proper communication about job requirements, expectations, and the overall hiring process.

Timely updates and constructive feedback keep candidates engaged and demonstrate respect for their time and effort. Effective communication not only builds trust but also fosters engagement, and creates a positive candidate experience.

4. Embrace adaptability as a superpower.

Modern family recruitment lessons

Cameron’s ability to adapt to various situations and roles demonstrates the power of flexibility in recruitment.

Recruiters should be agile and adaptable, adjusting their strategies to accommodate changing market trends, evolving candidate preferences, and technological advancements.

You should also foster collaboration with hiring managers, team members, and stakeholders, seeking your input and expertise throughout the hiring process.

This lesson will help you make well-informed decisions and find the best-fit candidates for your organizations or clients.

5. Build strong relationships

Modern family recruitment lessons

One can’t miss out on the famous Phil’s-osophy : “In family relationships, ‘love’ is really spelled ‘t-i-m-e.’

You must invest time in building solid relationships with candidates. Taking the time to truly listen, understand aspirations, and connect on a personal level cultivates trust and enables better candidate assessments.

This connection will foster trust, enable better candidate assessments, and ultimately lead to finding the perfect fit between the applicant and the company culture.

6. Embrace the power of experienced candidates

Modern family recruitment lessons

Jay’s decades-long successful run in the closet business illustrates the value of industry knowledge, experience, and strategic insights that come with age.

His character demonstrates that sometimes, the most impactful employees are those who’ve seen it all and have the scars to prove it.

This is a crucial recruitment lesson: not to overlook the potential of seasoned professionals. Their unique perspectives and extensive experience can often be invaluable when it comes to decision-making or problem-solving, providing balance to the fresh and innovative ideas of younger talent.

7. Promote work-life balance

Modern family recruitment lessons

Mitchell, a hard-working lawyer, often struggles to maintain a work-life balance.

His character is a reminder to recruiters that applicants are looking for more than just a paycheck — they want a role where they can balance their professional and personal life.

Even Claire, the mother who transitioned back into the workforce after embracing motherhood, shows that providing work-life balance increases employee retention.

Emphasizing this during the recruitment process can help attract and retain top talent.

8. Utilize the value of personal branding

Modern family recruitment lessons

Pepper, with his larger-than-life persona and unforgettable events, demonstrates the power of personal branding and building your brand image.

Recruiters can take a cue from Pepper and understand that candidates who have taken time to develop their own personal brand bring added value to your organization.

They not only understand their value proposition but are also likely to be adept at promoting the company’s brand.

Remember, Modern Family can offer more than just humor. So, let us know more recruitment insights you get next time you binge-watch this hilarious sitcom.

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Recruit CRM builds cloud-based software for the Global Recruitment & Staffing Industry. We are on a mission to help recruitment firms grow faster effortlessly.