TIME IS PRECIOUS
Published on 15 Aug 2006 at 8:09 am.
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Regardless of what type of placement you specialize in, as Recruiters we are always pressed for time!
When your candidates arrive at your office, often the first thing they do is to fill out your Profile Form (Application) in your Reception area. The potential problem with this is that you have lost 20 minutes that you could have spent talking with (interviewing) your potential next PLACEMENT!
If you are placing in a local market, candidates visit your office before work, during their lunch hour or after work. Before work is usually early (7:00a.m. to 8:00a.m.) and after work is usually (after 5:00p.m.) It is difficult to prevent “no-shows” when your candidate is trying to meet you on their “personal time.” During lunch they are usually rushing to meet with you because they only have 1 hour for lunch.You can save youself and your candidates a precious time by asking them to please complete your Profile Form BEFORE your interview and email it to you. You then request them to bring a hard copy with them to the interview. If you only conduct telephone interviews, this is still an important step in the process.
Some BENEFITS to both you and your candidates by filling out paperwork before their interview:
1. It saves time for both of you…especially you!
2. It allows you to spend time reviewing their background in depth.
3. Having familiarity with your candidate and their business history,will allow you to prepare better questions during your interview.
4. Once you’ve reviewed their paperwork, if you uncover “red flags”you can save yourself time by cancelling the interview explaining that our clients buy stability, experience and skills and then counsel them on what they can do to make themselves more marketable. Don’t waste theirs or your time. If you interview candidates you KNOW you can not place, they also become the candidate that constantly contacts you!
5. You will sound more confident and more professional overall in your interviewing style by having knowledge about your candidate prior to the interview.
6. You can actually start to “match” this candidate to your current openings (remembering you must
conduct a general interivew) and once you review your candiate’s answers you can describe possible opportunities.
7. When you have paperwork done up front, when you are interviewing you can questions this candidate on their “definition” of words they use on the paperwork. For example: If they use the word “challenge” or “growth” you need to find out their definition of that term - not put YOUR definition on what they are saying.
8. This also prevents you from working off a resume! Having your paperwork completed is the first step in establishing candidate rapport and trust. Your paperwork also gives you vitally important information needed to close this candidate.
9. When your candidate submits their paperwork in advance, this is an indication of their level of interest in making a change. Obtaining paperwork up front drastically reduces the number of no-shows you will experience!
Once you get in the habit of getting your paperwork up front - you will enjoy the many benefits!
Barb Bruno, CPC
