Use World Class Service To Recruit World Class Talent
By: Sital Ruparelia

Have you been to a restaurant and been totally amazed at how great the service was?

Have you ever made a purchase from a website and been impressed with how efficient, simple and stress-free it was to use?

Have you gone back there? Have you told your friends about them?

In a world of ultra competition and infinite choices, as consumers we have enormous power as to where and with whom we spend our money. There are plenty of businesses that can deliver goods and services at similar prices – but those businesses that succeed in providing us with great service will succeed in winning our custom.

Exactly the same principle applies to recruiting great people.

In the same way that we as consumers are more discerning in our purchases, as a workforce we are also much more discerning about where we choose to work.

Those businesses that treat potential candidates like potential customers will always succeed in recruiting the best people.

So it is key that you handle potential hires in the same way you treat potential clients and customers: with courtesy, efficiency and warmth. In practical terms that means:

1. Always do what you say you are going to do

2. Wherever possible, treat people as individuals

3. Acknowledge all job applications posted or emailed to you within 48 hours

4. Follow up all leads and referrals within 48 hours

5. Return all phone messages from applicants and potential hires promptly

6. Keep in close contact with candidates throughout the hiring process

7. Manage people’s expectations accurately throughout the recruitment process

8. Ensure people arriving at your premises for interviews are greeted as though they were a customer

9. Ensure people are interviewed and assessed in pleasant surroundings

10. Be polite and constructive with people you cannot help

11. Be professional but still personable.

12. Put candidates at ease through the interview process

13. Be on the front foot when there are problems or delays

14. Keep your language and tone on emails and letters warm and friendly whilst still professional

15. Be honest. Tell them what you know and what you don’t know.

Now go back and think about your experiences at that restaurant or with that website…Were they not doing some of the very same things above but in a different business?

Following some of these rules consistently will not only help you recruit people, but will also generate referrals from candidates.

But just as importantly, it demonstrates to potential hires how you as a business treat people. The recruitment process is an opportunity to show your personal style and ethos to new recruits.

Remember: The way you treat people when you hire them is exactly how they will expect to treat your customers (both internal and external) when they join you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Sital Ruparelia, "The ?Recruitment & Retention Specialist? works with small businesses that struggle with recruitment and retention issues and helps them implement strategies proven to Find and Keep the Right People consistently.

Sital writes a FREE newsletter twice a month with tips on how to Find And Keep The Right People. To sign up now, visit http://www.authenticresourcing.com.

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