Successful Recruiting. Is Timing Really Everything?

By Bob Adams

January 2008

Things you can do to avoid a "catch and release" recruiting process.

I once had a long-time client confide that he was not interested in a "catch and release" recruiting process.  Immediately I understood, since we were starting over with a search after having "caught" and lost our first choice candidate because of numerous decision-making delays that protracted our efforts over several months. 

Obviously, the message my client was impressing upon me was that he was no more interested than I was in going through the labyrinth of telephoning, planning, scheduling, interviewing, evaluating, and offer-making only to repeat the process once again.

Landing the right candidate for the job in a timely manner is the objective of any recruiting effort, and as most hiring managers know, timing indeed can be everything in meeting that goal.  The timeliness of a selection process can often be as important as the substance of a selection process. 

But as obvious as this might seem, we continue to see a fair share of companies who lapse in their execution of recruiting methodology and procedures and lose out on recruiting their first choice candidate. Of course, every company will have its occasional glitch. That's why, at the outset of a search, we like to talk with our clients about the steps they plan to take once we've presented a slate of candidates, so we can help avoid delays or even potential unnecessary steps that may be inappropriate for the position. So, in that vein, here are some practical tips we use and recommend to help keep things moving ...

1. Explain the complete process to candidates as best as possible.  What can the candidate can expect as far as "normal" steps and timing?

2. Work to maintain that "natural" momentum in the process. If that's not possible or some-thing comes up, then ...  #3

3. Stay in touch.  Even if things are going well, stay in touch. Candidates appreciate knowing where things stand and understand reasonable delays.

4. Keep your interview schedule flexible.  Sometimes, the only way to keep the momentum going is to meet a candidate while on the road or on the weekend. 

5. Keep the dialogue open with the candidate. Checking in to see if things are on track as far as the candidate is concerned helps to keep communications open.

Although timing may not be the only thing, it can be critical to a successful search and in landing the best available candidate.  Besides, candidates engaged in the hiring process are usually at a very high level of motivation, and keeping that process driving on schedule helps to maintain or even elevate their enthusiasm for the job and your company.  We at

Schaffer Associates would be happy to talk with you about your recruitment processes to help you avoid this happening to you.