As a recruiter in a competitive environment, one of the challenges I am often faced with is speed and timing. Candidates are in short supply, and exceptional ones will have no shortage of offers. Hesitation can lead to disappointment, a protracted recruitment process, or the selection of an inappropriate candidate – all of which can impact delivery and performance.  

Hospitality Connection recognises that when a candidate gets in touch, they are investing their time in securing their future. But it would be naïve to assume that they are emotionally attached to any role; their services are a commodity, and they will be most likely promoting them in several directions at once.

Luckily, my advice to clients is simple enough:  

• Make yourself available. Agree a communication channel with your recruiter –      whether that be email, telephone or text – and be responsive when they get in touch.
• Do not keep candidates waiting. You may have a particularly challenging week ahead, but there is a reason you have a vacancy and there is a reason it needs to be filled. Investing your time now will pay off in the longer run.
• Provide prompt feedback to your recruiter. If a candidate is amazing – say so! Even if you are not in a place to make a decision, this will allow your recruiter to manage the candidate and their expectations. It will show that you take their interests seriously and are therefore a valued employer and someone they will enjoy working for. This will help keep them engaged and less likely to pursue a role elsewhere.
• If you have any issues or concerns at all, involve your recruiter. Ultimately you are paying them to provide a service, but to do this for you effectively they need to understand the situation and any challenges or constraints.  
   

At Hospitality Connection, we support clients in following these principles through detailed candidate screening and selection. This means that when a CV lands in a recruiting manager's inbox, it belongs to an individual with the talent, experience and potential to fulfil the needs of the role - thereby minimising client time, input and admin. We also aim to provide an exemplary candidate experience, appreciating that first impressions start with us. But, ultimately, it is a challenging environment and with the increasing squeeze on the cost of living, candidates will be looking for speed, decisiveness and certainty.