Would you hire someone to work on your house without a license? Probably not, since it’s hard to know whether they are qualified and have the skills necessary for the job. The same goes for hiring new employees. You need to define what qualifications they should have before you make them an offer...

Companies tell stories because they stir up feelings, and that’s what makes these brands memorable. Similarly, recruiters shouldn’t sell jobs as a dry collection of responsibilities and perks—you should strive to bring the role alive through stories that evoke strong feelings.

Most Pixar movies begin with a compelling premise—a hook—that sets up the whole narrative. Hooks are often phrased as a “what if?” question and they grab our attention because they’re unusual, unexpected, action-filled, or driven by conflict.

Recruiters should equip themsel...