MightyRecruiterRomancing the Candidate: How to Woo Top Talent
You may have never thought about the interview process as anything other than a meeting between two or more professionals for the purpose of hiring. However, when you’re trying to grab the attention of and pursue an A-list candidate, there are several ways you could go about it. You could be the juggling clown at the fair, throwing the great things about your company in a candidates face, hoping they’ll be attracted instead of scared away, or you could take a sweeter and less scary approach: romancing the candidate. Try taking these dating tips and applying them to your interview process.
Give the Candidate Expectations
You wouldn’t take your date to the Ritz without telling them how to dress first. Most interview tips tell applicants to dress to the nines, but if you’re more laid back, your applicant is going to show up and stick out like a sore thumb. Don’t sabotage the interview date by making your candidate uncomfortable. Send them a note with any important things they should expect.
Keep to the Schedule
Have you ever been about to go on a date to only have the other person reschedule at the last minute That experience probably doomed the relationship before it ever began, and so it is with a candidate you are trying to attract. Don’t make them waste their time if you’re not serious. If you need to reschedule, give the candidate plenty of notice, and don’t reschedule if you don’t absolutely have to.
Don’t Test a Candidate’s Limits With Negative Selling
Today’s top talent have the pick of the litter when it comes to jobs, so if you try to test your candidate’s strength by negatively selling the position, chances are they’ll walk out and never call again. They may even taint your pool of applicants via their network. Romancing the candidate means selling your open job like a vacation rather than a nightmare.
Give Your Full Attention
You’re trying to hire the cream of the crop, so don’t treat your interview date with only half of your attention. People are good at picking up on whether or not they’re being listened to, and if these candidates feel you don’t have the time of day for them now, they’ll make a note to expect it in the future. A good start to romancing the candidate is to demonstrate how you’ll give them your full attention. Power off the phone, tell your receptionist no interruptions until it’s over, etc.
Don’t Talk About Previous Employees
Ever been with a date who whined the whole time about a terrible ex You probably called it an early night, and so will your applicant if you do the same about previous employees. Even if you had a nightmare of a previous employee, never bring them up. Romancing the candidate is about you and them, no one else.
Don’t Commit Too Early
Imagine your co-worker setting you up on a blind date: You show up with flowers, and they show up in a wedding gown and with an ordained minister. You’d run for the hills! When you’re meeting a candidate for the first time, don’t make the same mistake of committing too early and making an offer before getting to know them. This may make them suspicious of your motives, like you’re making them commit to a problem they’re not aware of yet.
Communicate
Like any good relationship, communication is key from the start. If you interview a candidate and don’t call or write them back, it’s just as inappropriate in the working world as in the dating world. These people aren’t going to like being caught on the hook for long, so don’t test their patience by taking a long time to respond, and don’t be rude by not responding at all. You risk creating a poor reputation among applicants if you do, and it may make negotiating with that candidate much more difficult if you do decide to hire them.
Adding the Flowers and Chocolates
Any good date needs some flowers and chocolates, the extras that make the experience that much sweeter. The same is true for romancing the candidate of your dreams, but instead think about these:
-Let the candidate know you’re looking forward to meeting them with an email or text the day of the interview.
-Hire a car service to pick up your candidate or pick them up yourself from the airport.
-Make sure your receptionist expects and can recognize the candidate so they’ll feel special on arrival.
-Know the candidate’s resume before they show up. Asking for it when they arrive won’t win anyone’s heart.
Romancing the candidate is easy with these tips. Check out Mighty Recruiter for more resources for hiring top talent.