Recruitment – ‘Hell No’, what’s there to learn about the recruitment process?
This was the reaction of a HOD during a conference call where a common friend connected me seeking support in identifying internship opportunities for some of the students of their university.
I would say, it’s not just the ignorance on the part of that gentleman but also the blunders done by unskilled/ partially skilled recruiters in today’s market. The availability of talent in job-search platforms makes them feel recruitment is just pulling out a number from the database and making a call. In the process, such recruiters often tend to surpass the need to follow the basics of the recruitment process while approaching a prospective candidate.
Dear colleague, yes recruitment is sales, and starting your conversation with a humble greeting will only do good for both of you. Please be clear about the position when you reach out to a prospective candidate and have the patience to hear the candidate’s response. Don’t always run down through the checklist of competencies and skills you prepared, recruitment discussions are consultative in nature too. Obviously, you are hunting for the best fit and so do the candidate as an opportunity, so be courteous when he reaches out to you to do follow-ups. Who knows he might be the best bet for you in your next assignment if not this. Take initiatives to garner positive relationships, many out there don’t mind referring others if things don’t fly well for them.
In the end, take time to return calls or emails. Tight schedules, not enough time, and not being of use, are only excuses that can slowly turn you into a bad recruiter and eventually discolour the significance of RECRUITMENT PROCESS.
