7 Tips to Engage and Recruit Passive Candidates
Recruiting passive candidates is not an easy feat. Trust me, I have spent the better part of my day trying to engage passive candidates and the struggle is real. But now, more than ever, is a great time for passive candidates to understand opportunities that are out there.
Check out these 7 tried and true tips to help engage passive candidates:
TIP #1: USE REFERRALS
Recruiting is all about networking. So what better way to try and recruit a candidate than by reaching out to someone you have worked with in the past, and who has had a good experience with your work, to make an introduction. Having credibility with a mutual connection will increase your chances of an individual being open to having a conversation with you.
TIP #2: BE SPECIFIC IN YOUR MESSAGING
There are over 20,000 staffing and recruiting companies in the United States alone. Candidates are getting messaged on a weekly, if not daily, basis. If you are going to message someone, make it count. Do your research on their background and message them accordingly.
TIP #3: KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET
When you do message a candidate, keep it short and sweet. Candidates don't have time to read a novel. Keep it to 3-4 sentences max.
TIP #4: BE STRATEGIC
I'm a firm believer that timing is everything in our industry. Do your homework on different times of year that candidates tend to be more open with opportunities. Also, keep up on market information, whether you hear companies are downsizing, high turnover, new leadership, etc.
TIP #5: LISTEN
When you get the opportunity to speak to a passive candidate, listen to them first and foremost. Find out what would get them to make a move and what they are exactly looking for in not only the day-to-day responsibilities, but also what they are looking for in a company and a culture. Then match them accordingly.
TIP #6: BUILD RAPPORT
People like to work with people they like. When speaking to candidates try to get to know them more. See if you have any mutual connections/common interests. Hold a conversation that is not just centered around bullet points in their resume.
TIP #7: STAY IN TOUCH
Passive candidates often take a long time before they eventually make a move. If you don't stay in touch after the initial conversation and only reach out to the candidate when you have a job for them, you will often get lost in the shuffle with one of the thousand other recruiters out there. Make sure you are staying engaged with candidates, whether it's regarding a position or referral, sharing market information, or just calling to see how they are doing. It's important to stay engaged.
While passive candidates aren’t an easy recruit, it’s well worth your efforts to take the time to engage these candidates. It’ll pay off, for both you AND them, in the end.
Meet the Author
Chris Zetusky
Vice President, National Accounts, Accounting & Finance
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