ON HOLD: You're Not Just Losing a Great Candidate

Probably the greatest frustration an executive recruiter faces - and it happens more frequently than you might think - is losing a really great candidate because the client can’t or won’t make a hiring decision. After committing significant resources to scouring the market, identifying the top candidates, selling them on the opportunity and coordinating interviews, the last thing a recruiter wants to hear is… nothing.

When a client puts a search on hold and doesn’t advise their search firm of the reason or how long it’s anticipated to be, candidates are left to guess whether the company is in transition, indecisive, inconsiderate or in trouble. This can be damaging to both the client’s and the recruiter’s reputation - not just with the affected candidates, but also with anyone in that candidate’s network, and out in the marketplace.

Once engaged, a search firm should become your confidential partner and be kept abreast of any issues that may delay the search or the decision making process, so they can prepare candidates and represent your organization in a professional manner.

Once buy-in has been established with the key hiring decision makers, the recruiter should be provided with all the necessary information - from candidate specifications, to contact information, to timeframes and availability. By making them aware of political considerations, potential issues or restrictions that may arise, they can prepare for these contingencies. They’ll also be better able to “juggle” candidates, keeping them interested through any brief delays.

Finding high quality, motivated candidates isn’t easy… to lose them as a result of delays is a shame.






Graham Carver, President

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Cambridge Management Blog

by Graham Carver, President

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