People Not Paper

So here is my first big rant. As the market clamours to get more efficient at handling "paper" (resumes, requisitions, and applications), we've lost touch with the fact that candidates are people. This is the recruiting version of daddy's Oldsmobile--a lot of us seem to think that great candidates are lined up outside and we are in total control of the process. How can we expect to become strategic recruiters and hire more effective talent if we're only worried about how to be more efficient.

Yes there are lots of candidates for some jobs. Yes we have to be efficient in dealing with the high volume. Yes we have to be compliant. Enough! Do all that stuff and still figure out a way to create an amazing and humane experience for the candidate!

You know you have to stay in front of top talent. Keep them interested and engaged. But who has the time – or the creativity – to do it right?

So what can you do -- now? Dare to be amazing!

Get creative. Recruit for tomorrow today. Find top talent when they’re not even looking for a new job. Know who has those hard-to-find skills. Continuously build relationships – they’re people, not just requisitions. Find savvy ways to keep the dialogue going. The more touch points, the more you learn about your ideal candidates. Then use that knowledge to keep the conversation sharp and relevant. Make it impossible for them to not have you on their top of their list.

Be amazing! If you’re not, just point them to your competition. That’s where they’ll end up anyway.