Most of you know that I am doing a running commentary on the Candidate Bill of Rights series of ItzBIG Blog. This week’s installment, the sixth amendment in the Candidate Bill of Rights – “Follow Up”
Follow Up – All applicants are entitled to consistent communications regarding the status of their candidacy, regardless of the outcome of their application.
Not many people will say what the real problem in this area is… but I will. You see every candidate deserves a response, they deserve feedback. Follow up is one of the things that great recruiters use to separate themselves from the herd. It isn’t hard. All you have to do is call someone and communicate. Problem is, you have to be willing to say “NO”, you have to be willing to say, “You are not qualified.”, “You are not a good match.”, “You do not have the
skill set that the company is looking for.”, “We have other candidates that are better matches for this position.”
What is wrong is that companies, HR people, recruiters (both inside and outside), and a whole lot of people involved in the process are gutless and fearful of legal action. If a candidate doesn’t, fit tell them so. You have a RIGHT as a hiring official to make that determination. Just make sure that you are not discriminatory. Learn to say “NO”, say it often, and say it in a timely fashion. Candidates will appreciate your honesty and your timeliness.
Candidates want an answer, and “no” is a very acceptable answer. It helps them work their process. It releases them to concentrate on other companies and opportunities where they have a chance to be hired. Yes, it is true that you will talk to a lot of candidates who “are perfect for the position” even though they don’t meet all of the stated or written qualifications. Sure the candidates have overlooked obvious and tangible reasons why they are not suitable for the position, they still deserve an answer. And for Heaven’s sake, when a candidate makes it into the interview process, the engagement must closed out professionally and courteously.
Learn to say “No”, it is an important part of the “follow up” process.