Truths Recruiters Need to Tell Their Candidates.
As an industry, are we really working hard enough to manage candidates expectations as best we can? It really is just a matter of time before we have a site, rating, naming and sharing candidates experiences with us recruiters online. If you are now thinking “Holy s**t”, then you should read on….
“I met with a recruiter to discuss a role and then never heard from them again.”
“I applied to a job advertised with a recruitment agency and never heard back.”
Either of these sound familiar? Well if so, your focus is misplaced and what you need to change requires no software, no modern tools and it can be done today.
Giving real information to the people entering your recruitment funnel, educating and managing these candidates expectations of your industry and your performance is key. Adopting this approach on a daily basis you will win in the long run….
Again this way if you don’t end up placing them in a job, they still should respect you.
Mark Twain said it best,
“If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
There is a couple of things I want to get straight.
Firstly I want my candidates to realise that I do not place everyone I meet! If you’re out there looking to get employed or looking to move job quickly you really should be meeting with a few recruiters.
There is another misconception out there about recruiters. We do not choose the candidate who gets the job, yes I may have access to the client but the decision firmly lies with them. On some occasions we may have influence but, the majority of the time they choose who they want.
Lastly a question that I have been asked often is, “How long will it take to get me something?” — Honestly people I couldn’t say, I can’t guarantee anything. One thing is for sure though if I think I can get you placed I will be trying my very damn hardest!
There is one more bit of information I think is really important for all candidates to know to develop a real relationship with a recruiter…
Recruitment needs two way communication, explaining to candidates that I have no problem with them getting in touch with me is so crucial, for me it takes time and many conversations to get to know someone. If you have a question, want advice, need prep then just get in touch that is what I am here for. Whether it’s for a job through me or not I am happy to help. If I am going to be telling you straight, it should work both ways.
“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence, and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” — Warren Buffet
I know I can improve my candidate relationships for sure, I need to raise the bar far higher to build and develop the relationships I have with my candidates — I think as an industry we all probably can. Quite simply if I can educate candidates with insights as to how I work and what they can expect from me as a recruiter from the get go — then that is the right foot to start off on.
Right?
— I think so!
