By Tabitha Wellman

After hearing many clients and colleagues commenting on how hard it is to attract good quality people to their business, I decided to conduct an experiment on recruitment methods.

So, my guinea pigs were businesses selected at random, who were advertising for applicants to executive level positions in the Saturday West Australian newspaper.  They were all reputable businesses and were advertising for a range of positions and remuneration levels.

So, what did I find?  Well, I was shocked!  Here’s some interesting snap-shot findings:

1. Not one company confirmed receipt of my application.
2. Only one company returned my call when I phoned to ask for more information on the role that they were advertising.
3. The representative of that one company who did respond (funnily enough, a company recently awarded a customer service award!) was extremely rude and left an extremely abrupt message on my phone saying “Aidan Hooper returning your call”. Call ended.
4. Not one company advised what had happened to my application.
5. Of the companies that did respond, not one had a formal telephone interview process.
6. Not one company representative that contacted me was friendly or courteous.  In each case, they were abrupt and acted as if it was a major effort to answer basic questions about the role.

So, what can you do to be different in your organization? 

Here’s 11 things you can implement immediately into your business that are guaranteed to increase the quality of your applicants:

1)Always acknowledge acceptance of an application. 

Even if it’s a quick standard auto-response (and these can be easily set up in Outlook), ensure that you respond to each and every application.  This says that you are serious about recruiting the best person to the best company. 

If needs be, set up a separate email address and have an auto-responder attached.  Have a message that says something like:

“Thanks for your application.  We’re currently processing all applications and we will be in contact with you prior to (date) should you be successful in securing an interview.  Best regards, (your name).”

That way, if you’re not interested in their application you don’t have to get back to them, but at least you have reached out to them.  They will remember this.  After all, you never know when an applicant will one day be a future decision maker in purchasing from you!

2)Make time for the recruitment process

If you don’t have time to dedicate to processing applications, then delegate it to someone who does.  It’s a shocking example to set when you make an applicant feel that you don’t have time for them.  What does this say about you and your company when they come to work for you!

3)Extend common courtesies to applicants

Always remember that the golden rule is to treat applicants as you would like to be treated, therefore, if someone takes the time to call you, then ensure that you return their call as soon as possible.  After all, this could be the perfect applicant that you’re just about to ignore.

If you invite them in for an interview, ensure that reception knows of their arrival and greets them by their first name with a BIG smile! 

4)Send a confirmation email to those invited to an interview

When inviting an applicant to an interview, ensure that you get their email address so you can send them a confirmation email outlining where to find you and where the best place to part is.  Also attach a copy of your Company Vision and Guiding Principles.  This is very impressive to a prospective employee.

5)Don’t keep people waiting

Try not to keep people waiting when they arrive for an interview.  If you are unavoidably running late for some reason, let them know exactly how long you will be.  And make sure that your receptionist offers them plenty of beverages and magazines to keep them occupied.

6)When conducting interviews, ensure that you are fully prepared

When recruiting a person, they notice if you are not prepared.  Ensure that you have their CV with you, a copy of their application and a sheet containing your interview questions. 

7)Ensure that your company’s recruiter is fully trained

As the business owner, CEO or Managing Director, chances are that you have the knowledge and skills to conduct great interviews.  However your manager may not be as aware of the subtleties of engaging the best possible applicant.  Ensure that your manager has an excellent grasp of the recruitment process and demonstrates an impeccable nature at all times.  After all, they are promoting your company to the applicant.

8)Be a good interviewer

It always amazes me how many people conduct interviews where they do all the talking.  Then they think the applicant is terrific because they agreed with everything they said!  Ensure you ask open ended questions and then stop talking and listen!

Ask opening questions that relax the applicant.  And be nice!  Have a discussion, not an interrogation.  You find out more that way!

9)Remember that these applicants were once you

When we get busy (and self-important), we often forget that once upon a time, that person applying for this position was just like you.  Think back to how you felt when you were applying for a job – were you nervous, anxious, fretful?  Did you have everything riding on this interview so you could pay the kids school fees and the mortgage? 

Think what would have put your anxiousness at ease. Things like a big friendly smile and welcome go a long way.

10)Ensure all communication is friendly and positive

ALWAYS communicate with applicants in a friendly and positive way.  Even if you feel that they are completely inappropriate for the role or appear a little “unstable”, always treat people respectfully.

11)Get back to unsuccessful applicants after an interview

Once the successful applicant has accepted your offer to work with you, ensure that you notify the unsuccessful applicants by phone or email. 

Last Words
The upshot is that if you want to attract great people to your business, you need to have a great process in place.   You also should insist that everyone involved in the process extends common courtesies to all applicants. 

Remember, people are the best form of leverage in your business.  The right person will make you a ton of money, so treat them well and you will find better quality people come knocking on your door.

Attract Better Quality Employees to Your Business! 
Call Innova Business Momentum on 1300 864 769 (1300 TO GROW) to find out how you and your managers can improve your recruitment process.