How to Be a Recruiter Job Seekers Will Love

imsis130-011U.S. News & World Report recently published an article on recruiter traits that frustrate job seekers. The practices outlined by the source may not be common to the talent acquisition field as a whole, but they show what candidates deal with in their search and what kinds of actions they are particularly sensitive to. During the recruitment process, it’s important to establish trust between candidate and recruiter. Here are some ways to build a strong bond with candidates.

Ensure job descriptions are clear and correct. Some recruiters will post job descriptions that may be typical of positions they aim to fill but are not presently available. This can be frustrating to job seekers. Additionally, recruiters should ensure they understand the hiring manager’s exact requirements for the job so the position’s description is as accurate as possible. If there are errors, candidates may feel that they have been subject to a bait-and-switch when they do interview and find that the position is not what they perceived.

Respect the candidate’s time. Job seekers find recruiters who do not respect the agreed-upon start times of appointments annoying. Doing this gives the impression the recruiter does not respect the candidate and provides an unprofessional impression of the company. Job seekers are often busy during their search for new employment and their schedules may not be able to accommodate calls that do not occur at the agreed-upon time. Similarly, recruiters who call and ask the candidate to drop everything for a phone interview may be perceived as oblivious or even rude.

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Always follow up. Candidates who speak to a recruiter and never hear anything again are left confused about where the recruitment process is. While human resources professionals are often strapped for time, they should make every effort to follow up with each prospective employee they contact, even if it turns out they are not a good fit for any available positions. A simple call to inform a job seeker nothing is currently available can build goodwill and pave the way to a future relationship if it becomes desirable.

Be mindful of biases that could cloud judgment. According to ERE.net, something as simple as the traditional handshake at the end of a meeting or interview can significantly influence hiring decisions. Issues of bias here include the fact that women are often perceived as having weak handshakes, and that people of other cultures may participate in the small ritual in a way that is unfamiliar and therefore off-putting to the recruiter. Biases of these kind can lose their power when recruiters become conscious of them, and will ensure that the real top talent is found and hired.

MORE: Raising standards in temporary recruitment

Joseph Azzata

Joseph Azzata
Joseph J. Azzata is the founder of eCareer Holdings, Inc. From 2002 to 2010, Azzata was CEO and co-founder of Medical Connections Holdings Inc.

Joseph Azzata

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