The Power of Feedback: How to Communicate Effectively with Candidates and Clients in the Hiring Process

Photo by Sebastian Herrmann on Unsplash

Feedback is a crucial element of any hiring process, especially for recruiting firms, such as New York Technology Partners, who work with multiple clients and candidates. In this blog post, we will discuss why feedback from clients of a recruiting firm after an interview, whether good or bad, is important for both the recruiter and the candidate. We will also share some tips on how to maintain open and regular communication from a recruiter’s client to a job candidate in the hiring process.

Why Feedback Matters in the Context of Staffing

Feedback from clients of a recruiting firm after an interview can have several benefits, such as:

• Improving the quality of future job candidates: By giving feedback to the recruiter, the client can help them understand what they are looking for in a candidate, what skills and qualities they value, and what areas they want to improve. This can help the recruiter refine their search criteria and find better matches for the client’s needs.
• Reducing the time to fill: Feedback can also speed up the hiring process by reducing the uncertainty and delays that often occur when there is no communication. By giving feedback promptly, the client can help the recruiter move forward with the next steps, such as scheduling another interview, making an offer, or closing the position. This can dramatically reduce the time to fill and avoid losing any highly qualified candidates to other opportunities.
• Enhancing an employer’s brand: Feedback can also affect how candidates perceive the client as a potential employer. Candidates who receive feedback after an interview feel more respected and valued, and are more likely to have a positive impression of the company/organization. On the other hand, job candidates who do not receive feedback may feel like they were ghosted and wasted their time, and may share their negative experience with others through word of mouth or on social media. This can hurt the client’s reputation and future hiring efforts.

How Recruiting Firms & Employers Can Communicate More Effectively

Communication is a two-way street, and both the client and the recruiter have a responsibility to keep each other informed and updated throughout the hiring process. Here are some tips on how to communicate effectively:

• Set clear expectations: At the beginning of the hiring process, the client and the recruiter should agree on how often and how they will communicate with each other and with the candidates. They should also establish a timeline for each stage of the process, such as screening, interviewing, and offering.
• Provide honest and constructive feedback: After each interview, the client should provide honest and constructive feedback to the recruiter as soon as possible. The feedback should include what they liked and disliked about the candidate, how well they fit the role and the culture, and whether they want to proceed with them or not. The feedback should also be specific and actionable, so that the recruiter can use it to improve their service and help the candidate improve their performance.
• Keep in touch with the candidates: The recruiter should also communicate regularly with the candidates throughout the hiring process. They should inform them of the status of their application, give them feedback from the client, prepare them for the next steps, and answer any questions they may have. The recruiter should also follow up with the candidates after each interaction with the client, such as phone calls, emails, or through follow-up interviews.
• Be respectful and professional: Communication should always be respectful and professional, regardless of the outcome of the hiring process. The client and the recruiter should thank the candidates for their time and interest and provide closure when necessary. They should also avoid making promises they cannot keep, such as giving false hopes or deadlines.

Conclusion

Feedback from clients of a recruiting firm after an interview is important for both the recruiting agency and the candidate. It can help improve the quality of future candidates, reduce the time to fill, and enhance the employer brand. Communication is key to ensuring that feedback is delivered effectively and timely. By following these tips, both the client and a recruiter can build a strong partnership that leads to successful hiring outcomes.