I hear it too often. Why hasn’t this position been filled? We just aren’t getting ENOUGH candidates. The candidates aren’t strong enough. As a recruiter I am the middleman between the manager and my organization and getting someone hired or not. When these questions get asked, there is often a disconnect. Simply said, there is a formula to getting someone hired.
It is important to make responsible, well thought out decisions when you are making a hire. I am a strong believer of interviewing until you find the right candidate.
Here are 10 things Managers & Recruiters MUST do in order to fill roles effectively and quickly.
The recruitment process simple, or it can be a long drawn out process. Here are 10 things to expedite the process.
1. Recruitment Is About A Partnership Don’t second guess the importance of the partnership. One can not do without the other. Both parties have to be on the same page and be willing to work with one another. Whatever pre-concieved notion either party has about one another has to go out the window. Both parties have to trust and engage, or it will never work.
2. Have A Lengthy Intake Session The recruiter drives this, but the manager has to be a willing participant. There is no such thing as too much information. A recruiter’s job is to get inside of the managers head, and they wouldn’t be doing their job correctly if they didn’t ask very poignant questions.
3. Have Regular Follow- Up Sessions The process begins with the intake, but that is not where it should end. Recruiters must have follow up times with the manager. Managers must make them. If this partnership falters, other requisitions take priority.
4. Have Open and Direct Communication About Candidates Leave your feelings at the door. If the candidates aren’t what the manager wants, tell the recruiter. A good recruiter should take that criticism and refine their search. Try and try again until you get it right.
5. Set Realistic Expectations With Candidate Recruiters need to talk about money expectations up front. They need to talk about where they are in the interview process, the location of the position, the role itself, and what they are looking for in a career. Recruiters need to talk about when the candidates can start. They need to do theire due dilligence up front. Managers need to be transparent. They need to go in detail about the role and talk about what their expectations are about the role.
6. Work Tirelessly to Fill the Role, Utilize All Resources If a manager entrusts in a recruiter, then the recruiter must hold up their end of the bargain. This means they must not post and pray, solely use Linkedin, or just contact referrals. There is a level of mutual respect. Recruiters must utilize all of the resources they has available and be creative as possible to source the right candidate. Managers should dig into their network and help where ever they can.
7. Talk Openly With Candidate Recruitment is a process. They will most likely be interviewing with multiple people. There will be a phone screen, maybe an assesment test. Tell them “best case” and “worst case” scenario. If they aren’t chosen, respectfully let them know. Telling them “no” is better than to having them frustrated and tainting your image or the companies image.
8. Be Available For Questions This goes both ways for the recruiter and manager. If a recruiter is trying to find the ideal candidate, they have to make themselves available. This happens at odd times sometimes. They also have to be available to candidates who are currently in the process to answer any questions. A manager needs to be responsive to the recruiter when they need an answer or are trying to help with the recruitment process.
9. Work Closely With Onboarding If you are joining a company, unfortunatley the onboarding process doesn’t run as smoothly as possible. If there is a drug screening process, recruiters must walk them through it. If the background process is lengthy, they need to make them aware that could be a scenario. Managers need to think about their first week and their first month. Where will candidates get the computers, where will their desk be located? All of these things need to run smoothly for a hire to not only be hired, but to stay with the company.
10. Always Recruit Don’t get caught behind the 8- ball. Prepare and over- prepare. The best organizations always plan for the future. Once a manager has a confidant in a recruiter, talk about tomorrow, next month, and next year. Talk about the plans for the organization. Always be pro-active! The next time a requisition comes around, you will be ready.
