Attracting the Best Candidates
Recruitment is a two-way thing and in today’s climate, where solid, skilled candidates are scarce we sometimes need to remind our clients that they too need to sell themselves to their prospective employees. Especially in this ever-changing and competitive market.
Once we get you the best candidates – we don’t want you to lose them to a competitor because of a bad interview technique, non-competitive benefits or oversight. So, we thought we’d gather some pointers for you to grab your candidates’ interest with both hands and ensure they choose your job.
How to sell your company to candidates
The UK currently has an exceptionally low employment rate, meaning as recruiters’ we have to tempt candidates away from their existing roles.
As interviewers your challenge is to give them an attractive enough opportunity and proposition, so they’re ready to jump ship. But not just through benefits, but also by the way you ‘sell’ the opportunity to them.
The face of the company
When you’re interviewing, don’t forget you’re representing the company, and are likely to be the first real touch point your interviewee has of your brand. So you need to try and reflect the company brand values and literally, live the brand.
In today’s job market, candidates have got to buy into the company, their future-plans and ethos. You’ve got to make them see why your company is a great place to work, why is it their best option? What can you give them that their current employer can’t? After all, we all spend most of our lives at work.
Get the facts right – e.g. salary + benefits. Do you have the correct factual information for your candidates, i.e. company, job role and benefits.
Make sure the salary being offered for the role is at the right level. These days it’s not all about the money, but it’s still one of the key factors; alongside a great benefits package.
Why should they choose you?
Candidates are often spoilt for choice at the moment. We have seen some receive 3 job offers, another 5. You’ve got to show your candidates why your company should be their top choice.
More often than not, you’ll be up against companies with bigger + better packages, so remember to highlight the key differentiators that could tip the balance in your favour. Perhaps there’s a fast track potential to moving up into a more senior role, great training opportunities – whatever it is make sure you tell them.
Know your candidate
As an interviewer, ideally you should have some understanding of what makes your candidate tick, have some idea about their background – try not to just turn up to the interview unprepared.
Your recruitment agency should have given you a really good overview of the candidate you’re meeting, so you have some background knowledge.
Don’t prolong the interview process
Candidates usually have to get time off work to make an interview. Don’t take their time for granted, and give feedback in a timely fashion.
Conduct the interview in a professional environment
Everything your candidate sees makes an impression, from the building, the interior office space, everyone they meet in reception, or in the corridor.
Be prepared. Brief your colleagues and let them know there’s someone coming in for an interview so they’re all smiley. If it’s a Teams call, keep your surroundings calm and neutral.
Make them feel comfortable
Put them at ease. You want to get the best out of them. Some people crumble with their nerves. While you want to see if they can work under pressure, remember this interview situation is very unnatural and doesn’t always reflect their future performance well.
Focus on the positives
Look for why you should employ them, not why you shouldn’t. Discuss their strengths with them and what they can bring to your business. The more you talk about this, the more you will get out of them. They’ll feel comfortable and appreciated, being more likely to feel they can work with you.
Don’t make assumptions
If something is unclear dig deeper during the interview. Your interview time is valuable, make the most of it to get the full picture.
Nerves
Don’t forget we all get nervous, even the most confident and bubbly people get struck by nerves. Remember your candidate is most likely to not be quite themselves.
We pride ourselves in giving our candidates and clients a really professional service – and take care in all that we do. We prepare them fully, so when they get to you, they have a strong foundation, and are less likely to be nervous, but sometimes nerves still get the better of them!
