Keep Applicants Interested in Your Company
Posted June 12th, 2019
When you are working to fill a vacant position, it isn’t uncommon to meet with several talented candidates that could be a great fit for your company. The trick is, you can only hire one right now.
But, even if that is the case, that doesn’t mean you should stop trying to engage with the other candidates who could have done well. You want to make an effort to keep them interested in your company. That way, if another opportunity comes along, you can encourage them to try again.
If you want to make sure your applicants stay interested, here are some tips to get you started.
Break the News Properly
Once you select a candidate for the position, you have to let the other top applicants know they weren’t selected. Often, this isn’t an easy conversation, as the job seeker is typically disappointed. However, you can leave them feeling good about future prospects if you handle the conversation properly.
For example, after letting them know that you chose another candidate, give them insights into why they weren’t selected. Essentially, you are assuming the role of a coach for a moment, letting them know how they could improve next time. Also, make sure to highlight what you liked about them and that you would like to reach out if another suitable position becomes available.
Nurture the Connection
If the applicant is open to additional contact after you let them know they weren’t selected, make sure to nurture the connection. Reach out on social media, by email, or by phone on a regular basis, asking how they are doing. You can also fill them in on any new developments at your company that may pique their interest or act as a mentor and offer guidance when appropriate (and if asked).
The idea is to contact them often enough to remain in their mind without becoming bothersome. Additionally, you can work to strengthen the relationship and keep them engaged. That way, when a new position opens up, you can reach out and share the information with ease.
Don’t Over-Promise
While you can certainly tell the applicant if a job opening is on the horizon, don’t give them false hope. If there isn’t going to be an vacant position for some time, be honest. Otherwise, once it becomes clear that you weren’t being genuine about an upcoming opportunity, the relationship will sour and it will hurt their view of the company.
Also, be open and honest about what the applicant should or should not expect. As long as you do, you can continue to engage them, suggesting they have explicitly stated that they want to remain in contact.
Contact the Recruiters at Bayside Solutions Today!
By following the tips above, you can keep highly skilled applicants interested in your company over the long-term. If you would like to learn more, the experienced team at Bayside Solutions can help. Contact us to speak with one of our recruitment specialists today and see how our candidate engagement expertise can benefit you.
