“Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.”
This is one of those simple yet profound statements that should drive what you do every day. It is the words of the American media producer and writer George Meyer, who knew his stuff, as he found fame and success with the like of The Simpsons. Whether you’re a fan or not, you can’t deny the indelible global impact the brand has made.
As a recruiter, how can you hone your communication skills to benefit candidates, your agency team, and your own growth and success?
Know your audience.
This is Rule Number One of successful communication: Communicate on a personal level throughout the recruitment and hiring process.
- Go way beyond the automated “thank you for applying” message. Make each individual feel like they’re already part of the team, or that someone may want them to be, through tailored messages coming directly from their recruiter or a company hiring manager.
- Choose the right medium. People will appreciate your thoughtful means of reaching them and be more likely to respond positively. You might assume that millennials and younger candidates prefer texts, whereas their more mature counterparts lean toward phone calls or emails – and you’d probably be right. But don’t make any assumptions. Confirm the preferences of each individual.
Effective communication is a two-way street.
Before a conversation or correspondence even begins, think about exactly what you want to say. Avoid jumping right in before completing this mental process. And continue to make this your MO throughout your contact with another person.
- Master active listening. Pay close attention to what is being said. Hold off on talking until it’s your turn. Then, ask clarifying questions and rephrase what the other person has said, so they know you understand. Avoid interrupting, judging, or giving advice, unless and until that advice is requested. Pay attention to body language (yours as well as theirs) for an added level of mutual understanding.
Keep it timely and transparent.
Experts agree that it only takes about 10 days to lose the best candidates, so set – and stick to – an efficient timeframe for your hiring process. Provide candidates, as well as your team members, with as much information as possible, as quickly as possible. This is especially critical if you encounter any unplanned delays or waiting periods.
- Maintain clarity and conciseness. Say just enough to convey a message in as few words as possible. If you ramble or veer off course, your listener will tune out or become confused or unsure of what is being said. Like virtually every aspect of effective communications, this takes practice. Still, it’s like hitting a golf ball or playing a musical instrument: with a little work and perseverance, it becomes second nature.
Partner with Search Wizards
As you develop your skills and strategy in your career as a recruiter, consider partnering with Search Wizards. We’ll match you with one of our amazing clients and enable you to turn your career dreams into reality. We are recruiters, and we know and understand recruiters. It’s all we do. Search our available jobs or contact us today to learn more.
