The chapter has come to an end and for one of Miami’s most enduring mascots (and no, I’m not referring to my beloved “Sebastian the Ibis”). It was reported last week that Burger King® Corporation has decided to retire “The King” and focus more on food. 
I’ve got mixed feelings about this. As a native Miamian, I’ve grown up with the King and am proud to have had a chance to work for the organization during my career. I’d like to share with you one of my favorite chance encounters with the King. Believe it or not, he helped me close a candidate, proving that he’s a great recruiter!
Don’t believe me? Well here’s how it happened…
I was in the middle of recruiting a candidate for one of my open positions and well, let’s just say that the candidate was really on the fence about joining the organization. They were waffling. To me it’s not a big deal; it’s actually the best part about recruiting, that’s when it’s time to close.
Fast forward, it’s time for me to have lunch with the candidate and present the offer personally. I’m going to get some final tasks completed and make my way to the elevator. I’m reading my to do list and when the doors to the elevator open I walk on without looking up to see who was there.
I look up and to my left is the CEO, the King with his entourage of models, and the CMO. I smile and nod to everyone and turn around facing the doors and silently pray that they get off before my stop. The King taps me on the shoulder and mimes for me to hand him one of the documents I had with me. I hand it to him, he reviews it, hands it back, and give me the thumbs up sign. I get off on the next floor and then make my way to meet the candidate.
The meeting had reached the critical point where a decision had to be made. I was a bit nervous because the candidate was sitting on the offer and it didn’t look like this was going to work. Finally I said to them “Let me tell you a story about your offer letter” and they looked at me quizzically.
I told them the story about my elevator ride and the run in with the King. I shared with them that when the King tapped me on the shoulder, he wanted to review the final offer. He did and that the “thumbs up” was the informal approval I needed to move forward. I say with a straight face “The King himself approved your offer. That alone should tell you about our culture and the environment”. They looked at me, shook their head at just how crazy the story was, and signed the letter.
Best.Close.Ever!
The King is dead, long live the King!
{ 1 comment… read it below or add one }
Fantastic story! Tops anthing I’ve done recently.