Every recruiter has encountered the extremely frustrating situation when all their recruiting efforts are flushed down the tubes when the hiring manager changes his or her mind, goes in a different direction or simply doesn’t like the candidates presented. We are talking about people here, and any time people are involved, it gets messy.
However, we can stop wasting valuable time, efforts and resources by being more prepared on the front end. As a professional recruiter, I spend more time at the beginning of the search with the hiring manager to get a crystal-clear picture of what/who they are looking for to join their team.
Trust me, this takes time because most hiring managers don’t really know what they need and quickly get off track with what they think they want. The more chaotic and urgent the need to fill the role, the more likely mistakes are made in haste.
Backing up and asking critical questions about the role and what is required will help narrowly define what you seek. I call my form the Candidate Profile Matrix and compile it based upon my interview with the hiring manager. Only when you know exactly what the ideal candidate looks like should you start the process of actually recruiting.
The early stage also involves making decisions on whether an internal search will be conducted. Look, don’t bother posting anything externally if you know an internal candidate will get the role. Talk about wasting people’s time and leaving a really bad taste in their mouth!
Get the hiring manager to commit to waiting and finding the right fit, not just any butt to put in the seat. Help them understand the costs associated with wrong hires and how a little money spent on the front end on assessment tools can save them heartache and frustration down the road.
Again, no one wins when recruiting efforts are stalled or derailed. The position remains open and that means someone is working overtime to keep the boat afloat. Morale goes down as more time is wasted. Recruit the right way! Stay tuned for a great booklet on this very subject matter.
In the meantime, I can offer my professional recruiting and HR consulting services to you. Give me a call!
I encourage you to experience a full assessment yourself to see the value it brings to the hiring process as well as building healthy, cohesive teams.
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