In our line of work as talent recruiters, we often come across exceptional job candidates who seem like the perfect fit for a particular job opportunity. They check all the boxes for the job description, the client’s company culture, and the employer brand. We see their passion, dedication, and alignment with the client’s needs, and all of this makes us feel incredibly hopeful.  

However, it’s essential to remember the importance of balance and openness in the recruiting process and how this impacts the candidate experience.  

Here’s a story from my recent experience that underscores this point and how it shaped my recruitment strategy. 

The tale of a perfect candidate   

While sourcing talent for a client’s open role, I recently connected with an outstanding candidate. She was everything the client could want and more. We spent significant time together discussing her career goals, aspirations, and the perfect job opportunity that aligned with her vision. The client’s hiring manager was also impressed and invited her into their interview process.  

My candidate became so invested in the client’s lengthy hiring process that she turned down other opportunities, believing she had secured this job. She even moved closer to the client’s property and was prepared to start her new job in a few days. Her decision-making process could have turned out fine, but it didn’t.  

At the last moment, the hiring manager decided to move in a different direction. Despite my candidate’s diligent efforts and preparations, not to mention her investment of time in the client’s recruitment process, she was left without the job she had her heart set on. This experience was a tough pill to swallow, not only for her but also for me, as I had become deeply invested in her success.   

Lessons learned   

That candidate’s experience taught me crucial lessons that I believe are important for all recruiters to keep in mind while sourcing top talent for clients:   

• Always Keep Looking: No matter how promising a job seeker may seem for a specific role, it’s important to keep exploring other opportunities for that candidate. This ensures the pipeline between the candidate and other opportunities remains open and flexible. By continually scouting and assessing other roles that might be a good fit, we can provide our candidates with multiple options, increasing their chances of landing a job.  

• Inspire a Broad Perspective: Encourage candidates to remain open to other options as well. While it’s great to have a target role, having a backup plan can prevent disappointment and lost opportunities. Candidates should be reminded that the job market is dynamic and having several irons in the fire often leads to better outcomes.  

• Maintain Transparent Communication: Keep the lines of communication open and honest. Regularly update your candidates on the status of their applications and remind them of the unpredictable nature of the hiring process. Transparency helps to manage their expectations and reduces the emotional rollercoaster that can accompany job searching.  

• Support Throughout the Process: Be there to support your candidates through the highs and lows. Celebrate their potential successes, but also prepare them for any setbacks. Providing emotional support and practical advice helps candidates stay resilient and motivated when hiring decisions don’t go their way. 

Strategies for balanced recruiting   

To effectively implement these lessons, here are some practical strategies that can be adopted:   

• Diversify the Candidate Pool: Always have a diverse pool of candidates for every open role. This recruitment strategy not only increases the chances of finding the perfect match but also ensures the client has options to consider if their requirements change.  

• Conduct Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins with your candidates to discuss their progress and any new opportunities that arise. This keeps the momentum going and shows candidates that you are actively working on their behalf.  

• Foster Comprehensive Preparation: Help candidates thoroughly prepare for each stage of the interview process. This includes offering mock interviews, providing detailed information about the company and role, and helping them refine and personalize their experience with each potential employer. We are career coaches, and this is a great exercise in professional development.  

• Keep Networking: Continuously network with industry professionals and attend relevant events. These important outreach efforts expand your awareness of available opportunities and help you build relationships that can benefit your candidates. Networking also increases your access to potential candidates to expand your talent pool.  

Move forward with balance, openness, and transparency  

Our role as talent recruiters is to guide and support our candidates while maintaining a realistic and balanced approach to talent acquisition. By keeping the door open to other opportunities, we can ensure that both we and our candidates are prepared for any outcome in our recruitment efforts.  

Remember, our goal is to find the best matches for both clients and candidates, and sometimes this means exploring multiple avenues. Doing so can greatly improve the candidate experience and lead to successful new hires and talent retention for our clients.  

Let’s continue to support our candidates with dedication and empathy, while keeping a pragmatic perspective on the ever-changing job market.   

Connect with Goodwin Recruiting 

• Are you interested in a career in talent recruiting? Consider joining our team. We are a Forbes Best Recruitment Company and our recruiting partners are located nationwide.
• If you are a professional who is interested in working with a talent recruiter for your next career move, reach out to me and let’s get to work in finding the best opportunities for you.